A hard-blowing tenor player from the Pacific Northwest, Richard Cole joins trumpeter Randy Brecker, pianist Bill Anschell and various rhythm tandems on his fourth album as a leader for the Origin label. Cole and Brecker demonstrate a tight chemistry on the urgent opener "J&J," the hard-boppish "Blame It on My Reed" and a swinging "Secret Love." Cole settles into Anschell's subling ballad "Lana" with smoky Ben Webster-ish tones, and delivers a... read more
With this Origin label release, the fruitful Northwest music scene continues to manifest high caliber jazz music sessions. This time it's the 8 year-old trio of John Bishop, Jeff Johnson and Rick Mandyck enhanced by guitarist John Stowell, for more than an hour of modern and progressive jazz. The play list is certainly an attractive one combining three originals with standard and jazz classics. Stowell. who worked with David Friesen for seven... read more
John Stowell has spent the last thirty years developing a reputation as one of the finest guitarists and educators in the country. John has a unique playing style, holding the guitar almost upright like a cellist. His incredible harmonic vocabulary has given him a personalized sound that has become instantly recognizable to fans of jazz guitar. Along with his performing career, John is also in high demand as a teacher and clinician. Over the... read more
Not your typical vibe record, this vibe player leans into improv in a big way and has a multi generational crew of like minded hell raisers along for his label debut ride. Riding that tip of music as art in that downtown kind of way, the open eared will enjoy this ride into impressionistic realms not previously considered. The next wave is upon... read more
Bassist Jeff Johnson has built a stellar reputation in jazz circles, having worked with pianists Hal Galper and Jessica Williams and appearing on over two-dozen recordings for the Seattle-based Origin Records. For his fourth release as a leader, Tall Stranger, the Seattle-based Johnson, along with saxophonist Hans Teuber and drummer Billy Mintz, delivers an intriguing set of stripped-down compositions, emphasizing a free-form approach to group... read more
Present on the European jazz scene for 25 years, Belgian bassist Piet Verbist is best known in recent years for his participation in Jef Neve triode. He has previously recorded and shot with his own bands such as Zygomatik or the Mamutrio collective.
Having many compositions that did not meet the needs of these groups, Piet Verbist created an acoustic quartet to explore other musical concepts, with plenty of room for improvisation. " Suite... read more
Tito Carrillo is back with his second Origin Records release called Urbanessence. The trumpeter and composer says of the album, "I love the energy of the city, always have. Having been born in Austin, TX, and raised musically in Chicago, I've always been drawn to the melting pot, the high-energy pace, the festivals, the food, the diversity of cultures, and, of course, the music. As my career as a performer morphed into a career as a... read more
Tenor saxist and leader Michael Zilber delivers two different big bands, one from the East Coast and the other from San Francisco on this two disc set. The "East" team has some nice mysterious work on the Wayne Shorter piece"Fall" with bold brass punching away on "Joshua". Tough tenors go gunning on "The Breckerfast Club" and an elegiac "Fantasia on Trane Changes" is a lithe delight. The "West" Team has some searing sax work on the tribute to... 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