The Milwaukee outfit consisting of Eric Jacobson, Pamela York and Clay Schaub, as Affinity Trio they deliver 6 covers and 3 originals of swingin' jazz fun.
The upbeat mood of "Onward" starts with Jacobson's rich trumpet alongside Schaub's bouncy bass and York's fluid keys, and 'On The Sunny Side Of The Street" follows with a soulful version of the classic that's quite warm.
In the middle, the swift "Bittersweet", by Sam Jones, allows... read more
Paul Ricci is a wonderful player — not pyrotechnic, supremely tasteful, rhythmically and harmonically adept, with a warm, clean tone that makes The Path a beauty to listen to. Finished in stages across many years, the album features electric bass maestro Anthony Jackson, who has since passed — so rock-solid and distinctively creative on everything he touched. His presence and that of drummer Steve Jordan and percussionist Manolo Badrena... read more
Students of jazz are always told to listen to everyone, borrow what inspires them, but give it back eventually. Because their most important assignment is to find a voice of their own. Many flattering things can be said of Portland guitarist John Stowell. And one of them is that he is very much his own man in a highly creative musical sense. He even holds the guitar like nobody else! On this CD, Stowell is reunited with his Seattle playing mates... read more
Chris Walden is an adventurous soul. He has made a strong presence in the Los Angeles big band scene with several albums of straight ahead big band music, yet he has tackled non-traditional pop music for big band arrangements of Disney's When You Wish Upon a Star, and It's a Small World After All. On his first big band effort, (2005's Home of My Heart, also on Origin Records), Walden took on film noir in a three-part suite, as well as the theme... read more
In his day job, he might be the bass playing sidekick of Kurt Elling, but after hours, he's now in his 15th year with this progressive jazz trio also featuring Dana Hall and Geof Bradfield. Playing with the simpatico that keeps you together for so long without getting sick of each other, this is a BYG trip to the church basement that knows no margins or bounds other than not playing music that sucks. It's wild ride that reminds you what free... read more
In many ways, Fresno saxophonist/composer Benjamin Boone is in the vanguard of the jazz/poetry movement. Last year he released his captivating collaboration with the late Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Philip Levine, The Poetry of Jazz (Origin), which garnered glowing praise everywhere from The Paris Review to JazzTimes and Downbeat. He followed up in January with The Poetry of Jazz, Vol. 2 (Origin), another musical excursion into the heart of... read more
Other than the jazz-superstar accompaniment he receives, pianist/composer and educator Darrell Grant injects a personalized spin, rooted with a distinct musical aura that pervades throughout this 2-disc set. Even on the up-tempo numbers, Grant instills a macrobiotic sense of being into these clear-sighted progressive jazz works. In effect, his music is derived upon the human condition, where understanding, compassion and astute morals trigger... read more
The drums pound home, and it begins. The title is modern ("Explosion"), the sound is vintage: an early ‘Sixites groove you find on Blue Note. Alex Graham holds the alto, and gives it the high piercing sound from the old days (he doesn’t sound "like" anybody, but that tone is there.) He takes little phrases and spins them around, staying in the high end. He leaves off in a sliding line recalling the theme; the piano takes over.... read more
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.
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