Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Benjamin Boone | Philip Levine - The Poetry of Jazz
by Andrew Gilbert, JazzTimes
A singular collaboration between the late Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Philip Levine and Fresno saxophonist-composer Benjamin Boone, this album features the jazz-loving U.S. Poet Laureate delivering his verse with rhythmic panache in the studio, essentially blowing with the musicians (including such special guests as Greg Osby, Tom Harrell and Chris Potter, who were recorded later).... read more
Marc Bernstein & Good People - Hymn For Life
by Dave Sumner, emusic Review
Bernstein is intoxicatingly lyrical on woodwinds, and that he often switches between the sweet disposition of soprano sax and the soulful irreverence of bass clarinet often within the span of an album just makes the synthesis of sounds even more delectable. On this current release, he adds Jacob Anderkov on piano, Jonas Westergaard on bass, Rakalam Bob Moses on drums, and the vocals of Sinne Eeg. Beautiful moody music that crackles with life.... read more
Andrew Rathbun Large Ensemble - The Atwood Suites
by Richard B. Kamins, Step Tempest
Canadian-born poet, essayist, and novelist Margaret Atwood (born Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) 1939) is currently enjoying renewed popularity these days thanks to HULU's production of "The Handmaid's Tale" and NETFLIX's production of "Alias Grace." Her depictions of dystopian societies hits home in this time of Boko Haram and ISIS. Before her novels became popular, she wrote numerous volumes of poetry and that's where composer and saxophonist Andrew... read more
Phil Kelly - Ballet of the Bouncing Beagles
by George Fendel, Jazz Society of Oregon
Somebody out there needs to give some high fives to Phil Kelly. Really, it's not very common these days for anyone to release a big band CD this good. And why? Well, among a plethora of highly skilled band barons, a few of the all-star types include Jay Thomas, trumpet; Jerry Dodgion, alto; Pete Christlieb, tenor; Bill Ramsay, baritone; Dave Marriott, trombone; John Hansen, piano, and two Portland faves, Dave Captein, bass, and Gary Hobbs,... read more
David Weiss Sextet - Auteur
by Marc Myers, Jazz Wax
Wow, talk about a smashing hard bop album. David is a sizzling, solid trumpeter-composer who fronts a solid band joined by Myron Walden (as), Nicole Glover (ts), David Bryant (p), Eric Wheeler (b) and E.J. Strickland (d). If Blue Note were still under the command of Alfred Lion and Francis Wolff, this is what their output would sound like. Five of the seven tracks are by David. The remaining two—Rebop and One for Bu—are by Freddie Hubbard... read more
Robby Ameen - Diluvio
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
40 years in as an all star, all pro drummer for the crème of the crop and it's only his third outing as a leader. Strutting his Afro-Cuban stuff, he doesn't play it linearly for tourists, he makes it totally caliente and keeps you guessing what's coming around the next bend. A wonderfully wild work out abetted by a hand picked crew of all stars in their own rights, this is some out of the ordinary jazz that merrily hits the... read more
Scott Reeves - Portraits and Places
by Rotcod Zzaj, Improvisation Nation
Wow! Players keep "coming back", now that I've been at this for a good while (I first reviewed Scott's work in a quintet setting, way back in issue 89). This March 2016 release is his first recording as a jazz big band leader, and he nails it, no doubt! Just listen to the lovely "Aquas de Marco" to hear how powerful Scott's conducting, arranging &* alto flugelhorn work are... exciting also, because he's woven some beautiful vocal work in,... read more
Roy Assaf & Eddy Khaimovich Quartet - Andarta
by Jeff Wanser, CD HotList
Granted, the group doesn't have the catchiest name, but give them a chance. This pianist and bassist are joined by Ronen Itzik on drums and saxophonist Robin Verheyen to create a distinctive debut, with some help on several tracks from Roy Hargrove. They mix rhythmic complexity and harmonic experimentation into the mix without losing sight of the post-bop verities. The leaders leave plenty of space for solos as well as interaction, and everyone... read more
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