Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Dan McCarthy - City Abstract
by Dan Bilawsky, All About Jazz
4-STARS The concept of homecoming is inextricably linked to the music that Dan McCarthy presents on City Abstract. Recorded in May of 2019, shortly after he had returned to his native Toronto after fifteen years in New York, this date finds the vibraphonist bowing to two of his biggest influences: pianist Carla Bley and vibraphonist Gary Burton. Those lodestars provide solid inspiration and clear direction for McCarthy, who works his way... read more
Kiki Valera - Vivencias en Clave Cubana
by Joe Ross, Roots Music Report
5-STARS Kiki Valera opens his debut album with "Mi Son," a tribute to Son Cubano, the music that originated in eastern Cuba in the late 1800s by black and mulatto musicians, and then incorporated both African and Spanish elements as it gained universal appeal. We learn that the music comes from the hills ("mi son viene de la loma"), has lyrics sung with grace, poetry, rhythm, love ("gracia y poesia, ritmo y amor") and if you want to... read more
Rich Thompson - Less Is More
by Jack Goldstein, Blogcritics.org
Less is More, Rich Thompson?s sequel to last year?s trio album Generations, has the drummer following the same general formula in the choice of material, but now working with a larger ensemble. Straightforward modern harmonies, driven by dynamic percussion, applied to a mixed repertoire of jazz classics interspersed with a few original pieces is the recipe. Like they say, if it?s not broken, don?t mess with it.
Thompson, a music educator who... read more
David Friesen Circle 3 Trio - Triple Exposure
by George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly
Bassist David Friesen plays the unique looking Hemage bass guitar in his trio with Greg Goebel/p and Charlie Doggett/dr though eleven originals. The team displays a touch of the cap to Bill Evans on the gentle waltz "Everything We Are" and the softly subtle "Side Step" with Doggett brushing up on "Turn In The Road." Friesen leads the team through a 5/4 dance on"Bright Light Sky" and does some soft spacious work on "Another Time, Another Place"... read more
Rob Lockart - Parallel Lives
by Stewart Mason, All Music Guide
Saxophonist Rob Lockart has been a mainstay of the Los Angeles jazz scene for nearly two decades, working most notably with Chris Walden on a number of projects. Parallel Lives is Lockart's first solo album, an agreeable if rarely spectacular example of unfussy modern jazz that occasionally crosses over into too-smooth fuzak. Lockart mostly sticks to tenor on Parallel Lives, although his lyrical soprano soloing on "Waiting for the Truth" is one... read more
Rodney Whitaker - Common Ground: The Music of Gregg Hill
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
An acknowledged bass ace with a well stamped passport meets a home town cat that had the will but didn't have the way and finds the sweet spot where his world wise chops can bring the composer's modern soul jazz to the world. With an all star crew in tow, this new jazz voice is finally getting his chance to be heard in grand style. Certainly a modern take on civil rights jazz for the woke, this set shows the merits of hanging in there to make... read more
Scenes - Variable Clouds: Live at the Earshot Jazz Festival
by George W Harris, Jazz Weekly
Timeless post bop is delivered by the quartet of Rick Mandyk/ts, John Stowell/g, Jeff Johnson/b and John Bishop/dr on this swinging live set at the Town Hall in Seattle Washington. The entire band sounds like they're both inspired and rejuvenated by the end of the COVID lockdown, with everyone sounding celebratory in delivery.
Mandyk's tenor smokes like a Cohiba, breathy on the mellow "Tilbury Hill", fluffy over Bishop's deft brushes for... read more
David Friesen - Day of Rest
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect Reviews
David Friesen is most known for his esteemed work on bass, where he's occasionally sprinkled piano into the equation. Here, though, his bass is absent, as he brings us his first recording with the piano front and center for the entire journey.
"Backward Glance" starts the listen with elegant, flowing key work that's quite warm and cozy, as Friesen settles in like an old friend coming for a visit, and "Day Dream" continues the grace with... 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