Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Jordan VanHemert - Survival of the Fittest
by Scott Yanow, Los Angeles Jazz Scene
Tenor saxophonist Jordan VanHemert's fifth album as a leader, Survival Of The Fittest, was partly borne out of anger and distress after losing a teaching job due to budget cuts (he has since found one at a different college) and his experiences with racism in general. Despite that, the music on this release (five originals, "Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise," "Come Sunday," a Korean folk song, and a blues) is generally hopeful,... read more
Rich Thompson - Less Is More
by Michael Nastos, Cadence
The modern mainstream, straight ahead jazz quintet is not a format completely exhausted in originality as proven by drummer Rich Thompson, his cast of famed all-stars, and local heroes. Keyboardist Gary Versace and trumpeter Terell Stafford are clearly the front-runners of this date, with Thompson and Jeff Campbell in solid support, and Doug Stone?s tenor as an occasional interesting flavor packet. An associate professor of music at the Eastman... read more
Hal Galper Trio - Airegin Revisited
by Sam Landsman, Earshot Jazz
Veteran pianist Hal Galper simultaneously incorporates fresh and classic elements of the piano-trio jazz idiom on Airegin Revisited, his latest release with Origin Records. Bassist Jeff Johnson and drummer John Bishop accompany Galper, continuing their six-year history as a trio.
The record is characterized by a unique style of rubato play, where often during each track the music flows freely, unbound by a traditional, countable time. The... read more
Jonas Tauber - Storm Walking Singing
by Don Williamson, Jazz Review
A Swiss native, Jonas Tauber has returned to Z�rich after making some important contacts in the United States as he pursued his education. After graduating from the Eastman School of Music, Tauber moved on as opportunities arose for a cellist in orchestras in cities as widespread as New York City, Cedar Rapids Iowa, Philadelphia, Boulder Colorado and London England. After working with Itzhak Perlmanand other classical virtuosos, Tauber underwent... read more
Tad Britton - Cicada
by Dave Rogers, WTJU - Richmond
The title of this disc is concretely meaningful: Britton describes the life cycle of cicadas in his liner notes, emphasizing the wonder and mystery of the appearance and disappearance of these creatures and after acknowledging that no new really understands the functionality of this cycle, explains that these recordings having been dormant (missing, in fact) since 1992-93 have now emerged to share their impact and mystery with of the message... read more
Robby Ameen - Diluvio
by Dave Cantor, DownBeat
EDITOR'S PICK Is this a panacea for what we're all experiencing now? Probably not. But Diluvio definitely will displace listeners' anxiety for about 50 minutes as drummer Robby Ameen moves through his keenly honed influences, expanding beyond the Afro-Cuban sounds he's associated with as the album rides a wave of eclecticism that eventually settles somewhere outside of genre.
"The Drifter's Plan" comes off a bit too smooth and ranks... read more
Benjamin Boone | Philip Levine - The Poetry of Jazz, Vol. 2
by William Minor, Bill's Blog
The third artist I would like to celebrate is Pulitzer Prize, National Book Award (twice!) winner and Poet Laureate of the United States (2011-1012) Philip Levine—and by "extension," saxophonist Benjamin Boone. I was fortunate to become friends with Phil, under unusual circumstance. We discovered we had attended the same Art Tatum/Erroll Garner concert in Detroit the mid-1950s, and we discovered we shared the same disease (vestibular:... read more
Joel Miller Sienna Dahlen - Dream Cassette
by Hobart Taylor, KUCI - Irvine, CA
Dreamy is right. Bouncy sunny melodies predominate supported by airy harmonies. Vocals backed by gorgeous ensemble playing. There are echoes of the catchiness of a Sting tune, the exuberance of Mingus, the gentle loving irony of fellow Canadian Joni Mitchell.... read more
Looking for a specific review?
This is just a small collection of the Origin Records reviews. Click here to view all reviews or try to Search for your favorite CD title.
Search Reviews:
Recently Added Reviews:
Abate Berihun & The Addis Ken Project - Addis Ken
by Hanna Kay, Cult News (Paris)
Abate Berihun & The Addis Ken Project - Addis Ken
by Budapest, Rudolf Radnai
Abate Berihun & The Addis Ken Project - Addis Ken
by Editor, Bman's Blues Report
Jared Hall - Hometown
by Editor, Bman's Blues Report
Dawn Clement - Dear Ms. Dearie
by Editor, Bman's Blues Report
Jared Hall - Hometown
by Dee Dee McNeil, Making A Scene
Affinity Trio - New Outlook
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
Michael Dease Big Band - Return Trajectory
by Thierry De Clemensat, Paris Move
Brad Goode Quintet Feat. Ernie Watts - Live Your Dream: Live at North Street Cabaret
by Thierry De Clemensat, Paris Move
Maja Jaku - Blessed & Bewitched
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect