Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Ray LeVier - Ray's Way
by Jan P. Dennis, Audiophile Audition
If you want to make a splash with your debut jazz disc, you could hardly do better than to follow the lead of drummer Ray Levier. First, he's assembled a powerhouse band featuring some of the best jazzers out there who play their butts off. Second, his disc features some very strong compositions from his bandmates, who are all fine composers themselves, a couple attractive self-penned tunes, and one intriguing standard (Oscar Pettiford's "Blues... read more
Chenxi Pan - This Very Moment
by Thierry De Clemensat, Paris Move
4-STARS Between Breath and Architecture: Chenxi Pan's Daring Debut This Very Moment
On her debut album This Very Moment, out on Origin Records, singer and composer Chenxi Pan resists the temptation that so often shadows first releases: the urge to declare, to impress, to overwhelm. Instead, she constructs a patient interior world, one that unfolds gradually, almost ceremonially, as if trust must be earned before... read more
Joel Miller Sienna Dahlen - Dream Cassette
by George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly
Joel Miller sings, plays sax, piano, guitar and percussion while Sienna Dahlen joins him in voice on this folksy collection with jazz sensibilities. Horns produced by David Carbonneau/tp and Dave Grott/tb ad textures to the guitars provided by Francois Jalbert and Jordey Tucker, while Simon Page/b and Kevin Warren/dr keep the pace steady. There's a synth pop feel to material like "Blue Times" and the folksy "Flying Dream" while the most jazzy... read more
Matt Otto with Ensemble Iberica - Iberica
by George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly
Ringer of the Week Tenor saxist and composer Matt Otto puts together a thoroughly original, accessible and exciting session that mixes jazz with Andalusian sounds on this clever session. The unorthodox team includes the "Ensemble Iberica" (Beau Bledsoe/g-oud, Jordan Shipley/g-cav, Michael McClintock/eg-tres) along with Brad Cox/Rhodes, Karl McComas-Reich/b-cel and Mike Stover/steelg. Together, Otto blows a smoky tenor along with rich... read more
Kelly Brand Nextet - The Door
by Thomas Conrad, JazzTimes, May 2008
The Nextet (nice neologism) is first an outlet for the compositions and arrangements of Kelly Brand, and second a showcase for some of Chicago's best straightahead jazz players: tenor saxophonist Geof Bradfield, trumpeter Art Davis, bassist Kelly Sill (Brand's husband) and drummer Jon Deitemyer. Brand writes polished melodies and subtle harmonies and clever charts that reflect her upbeat attitude toward life. This positive energy gives The Door... read more
Hadley Caliman - Straight Ahead
by Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
Hadley Caliman has had a long, distinguished career as a sideman, appearing on albums by Gerald Wilson, Bobby Hutcherson, Hampton Hawes, and Joe Henderson, among others, though he has had relatively sporadic opportunities to record as a leader.
His second CD for Origin indicates he may have found a regular outlet for his music, backed by the young trumpeter Thomas Marriott (who also records as a leader for the label and appeared on Caliman's... read more
Bruce Barth Trio - Dedication
by Ken Dryden, The New York City Jazz Record
Californian Bruce Barth has been part of the New York jazz scene since 1988. His trio for his 17th album has two frequent collaborators, bassist Vicente Archer and the late drummer Montez Coleman, who died at just 48 of congestive heart failure in January. The chemistry is apparent, every track having the feeling of a first take.
Barth is an excellent composer. His brilliant, memorable melodies leave a lasting impression and he excels at... read more
Hal Galper Trio - The Zone: Live at the Yardbird Suite
by Tom Hull, Tom Hull: On the Web
Pianist, a good one, first side credit looks to be Chet Baker in 1964, 30+ albums since 1971, a few struck me as A-list, like his 2009 trio with Reggie Workman and Rashied Ali (Art-Work), and last year's album with Jerry Bergonzi (Cubist). This one, a trio with his label's resident rhythm section (Jeff Johnson and John Bishop), live from Edmonton in Canada, isn't quite such a tour de force, but reminds you how impressive he can be. Note that... read more
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