Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Scenes - Destinations
by Dave Rogers, WTJU, Richmond
Veteran trio Scenes have performed together for 15 years and the melding of their individual and trio play is wonderful. Everyone has a voice and they blend together beautifully. This is their fifth release. The players are John Stowell (guitar), Jeff Johnson (bass) and John Bishop (drums). Stowell composed five songs and Johnson two and the covers are Miles Davis' "Solar", Tommy O'Donnell's "Psalm" and Schwartz and Dietz' "You And The Night And... read more
Maja Jaku - Blessed & Bewitched
by Jonathan Widran, The JW Vibe
Kosovo born vocalist and songwriter Maja Jaku has made exquisitely intimate and charmingly swinging jazzy waves in her native Europe for years, touring with her trio, performing with the Austrian fusion band Attack, performing in musicals and releasing four acclaimed albums.
On her intriguingly titled debut American collection Blessed and Bewitched, she shares those magnificent, deeply lived vocal passions and cool soulful strutting with U.S.... read more
Bill Anschell - Rumbler
by Andrew Luthringer, Earshot Jazz
There's an exhilarating moment on pianist and composer Bill Anschell's superb new album Rumbler that is emblematic of the album's strengths, and it's right at the top of the first track. The disc kicks off with piano and saxophone outlining Thelonious Monk's iconic "Misterioso." Sure, it's a great composition, but with all the masterful versions already recorded, can there really be anything new here?
Suddenly, skepticism is knocked aside as... read more
John La Barbera Big Band - Grooveyard
by Russell Perry, WTJU
The LaBarbera brothers are a distinguished trio. Saxophonist Pat (Elvin Jones, Buddy Rich) is a mentor to a generation of Canadian saxophonists. Drummer Joe recorded with Bill Evans, Tony Bennett and Kenny Wheeler as well as Charlottesville's Stephanie Nakasian. John LaBarbera, trumpeter and arranger wrote for Buddy Rich for years and is the leader for this date. Nicholas F Mondello wrote on AllAboutJazz, "Wes Montgomery's Grooveyard... read more
Florian Hoefner - Coldwater Stories
by Mel Mintner, Musically Speaking
German-born pianist Florian Hoefner enjoys challenging himself, and the evidence indicates that he is up to a good challenge. On Luminosity, his excellent quartet recording, for example, he required one composition to operate within the space of an octave. On Coldwater (Origin Records) - his latest and first solo release - he has set himself quite a different obstacle, as he explains in the liner notes: "Many of the pieces on this album consist... read more
ZurHub - Countryside Motorways
by Thierry De Clemensat, Paris Move
A Worldly Soundtrack: Mattan Klein and Ezequiel Hezi Jait's "Countryside Motorways" Offers a Panoramic Jazz Journey. 4-STARS
Composer and flutist Mattan Klein, a man of many cultures and wide musical reach, is the creative force behind ZurHub, a genre-defying collective of musicians that draws from far more than its Israeli roots. Co-founded in 2017 with guitarist Ezequiel Hezi Jait, the ensemble is the fruit of years of... read more
Alex Graham - Brand New
by George Fendel, Platter Chatter
I must admit that the first thing that caught my eye on this CD was, with apologies, not the name Alex Graham, but the names Jim Rontondi (trumpet); Steve Davis (trombone); David Hazeltine (piano); Rodney Whitaker (bass); and Carl Allen (drums). When you're in that kind of musical company, it's a pretty fair bet you too have what it takes. And Alex Graham shows there's no doubt on an array of interesting tunes ranging from a couple high flying... read more
Greta Matassa - Portrait
by Doug Ramsey, Rifftides
Greta Matassa has never stopped performing extensively or touring with her widely admired quintet, but it has been years since she has made a new recording. The singer's first album since 2011 is a reminder of the rare depth of her musicianship and her ability to fnd the essence of a song. The longtime colleagues with her on Portrait are veterans of the vital Pacific Northwest jazz community. Matassa selects thirteen songs that are among the... read more
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