Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Rodney Whitaker - Mosaic: The Music of Gregg Hill
by BMan, BMan's Blues Report
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Mosaic: The Music of Gregg Hill, by Rodney Whitaker, and it's strong. Opening with title track, Mosaic, Rodney Whitaker on bass lays down an excellent groove, bound by Rick Roe on piano and Dana Hall on piano. Terell Stafford on trumpet sets the track on fire with excellent solo phrasing, followed by Tim Warfield on soprano sax. Very nice. Roe picks up his own lead on piano with... read more
Geof Bradfield - Urban Nomad
by Brad Walseth, JazzChicago.net
Sometimes the right combination comes together at the right time and the stars align. In the case of jazz recordings, success depends on the right songs, personnel, recording qualities, etc... Origin Records must be living a charmed life because their luck with Chicago artists has been exceptional. Most likely it is hard work and good decisions, but for whatever reason, recent releases from artists like the Kelly Brand Sextet and Matt Ulery's... read more
Scenes - Silent Photographer
by DS, Western Australian Guitar Player Society
Always great to hear John play in such an interactive trio! The CD features tunes written by jazz composers/players. "Black Eyes" is a Wayne Shorter tune. The guitar solo has nice triplets and chordal passages, nice electric bass solo follows before guitar and drum trades. "Three French Nuns" by Stowell shows a more angular and moody side to his playing. "Chan's Song" is by Herbie Hancock, it is a feature for bass with some lovely... read more
Carlos Vega - Bird's Ticket
by George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly
Tenor saxist Carlos Vega leads a heavy hitting post bop team of Victor Garcia/tp, Stu Mindeman/p-key, Josh Ramos/b and Xavier Breaker/dr through ten rich originals. Vega's tone is Coltrane-esque thick with a hint of fuzz attached and he's quite adept at tricky lines and driving grooves as on the quicksilver "A Confluence in Chi-Town" and intricate title track. Mindeman's piano is a lovely companion as he and the rhythm team form a table dance... read more
John La Barbera Big Band - Grooveyard
by Arturo Pepe, Tracce di Jazz (Italy)
Spotting a Big Band in full swing is becoming an event, especially if, as in this case, the large ensemble dedicates itself to a post-bop repertoire that is almost entirely original and very well updated.
A question of costs, fees, logistics, of course, but be careful: the composer and arranger John La Barbera (born in 1945) is a world specialist in the field, he is not at all famous here but at Origin they know his value well, he... read more
Jessica Williams - Billy's Theme: A Tribute to Dr. Billy Taylor
by John Henry, Audiophile Audition
I feel that Jessica Williams is not just the top female jazz pianist around today but one of the top jazz pianists period. She's recorded a steady stream of fine albums over the years (we just reviewed two of them here, as a matter of fact). But this one is a bit different on several counts. First, it is a tribute to one of the major spokesmen for jazz, plus being an outstanding pianist and jazz educator. I'm speaking of Dr. Billy Taylor - the... read more
Bobby Broom - My Shining Hour
by Owen McNally, WNPR - Jazz Corridor
Broom is celebrating the release of his fine new guitar trio CD, My Shining Hour (Origin Records), featuring nine gem-like standards with a little bit of help from his friends and fellow jewelers, Dennis Carroll on bass and McCraven on drums.
In its own somber, reflective, bluesy way, Broom's original, poetic interpretation of "The Tennessee Waltz" is one of the freshest takes on the Patti Page mega-hit of 1950 since Sam... read more
Roxy Coss - Restless Idealism
by Michael J. West, Jazztimes
Tenor saxophonist Roxy Coss is a protege of trumpeter Jeremy Pelt, and on the 10 original compositions that make up Restless Idealism, it shows. Among other things she shares with Pelt (who appears on two tracks) are fondnesses for elaborate linear melodies and shifting times, and an eagerness to play with short-form conventions.
Not that Restless Idealism is far out: Actually, it's quite straight-ahead postbop. Coss and... read more
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