It's most encouraging to hear some of jazz's senior citizens (Sonny Rollins, James Moody, Lee Konitz, Clark Terry and Hank Jones, among others) remaining active and creative in their sunset years. At age 78, trombonist Benny Powell may have lost a step or two with regard to his solo work on Nextep, his first recording in five years, yet he's still out there offering an abundance of music worth hearing with an often sprightly, burnished... read more
Making a solo guitar album work is not an easy task. It's not enough to be a technical wizard; veteran Mimi Fox is that and more. You also have to be able to blend a tasteful play list, sensitivity to the music, enough fresh ideas so as not to become dull, and a certain flamboyance (but not so much that it overwhelms the listener). Fox achieves all of that and more on her fourth album as a leader. The play list is made up of standards - not only... read more
*****
Chicago-based guitarist Bobby Broom, a dynamic solo artist (The Way I Play: Live In Chicago) and member of Sonny Rollins' band since 2005, sets his sights on ten of Thelonious Monk's most frequently covered tunes on what should be a career-changing album. Bobby Broom Plays For Monk is a deeply satisfying trio recording that showcases Broom's warm, lustrous tone on imaginative arrangements of tunes that were radical in their... read more
MONTREAL saxophonist Joel Miller composed 10 of the 11 tracks on this energetic, engaging outing featuring a crack rhythm section of pianist Geoffrey Keezer, bassist Fraser Hollins and drummer Greg Ritchie that helps the tenor player stretch out of his comfort zone. "Afternoon Off" is just what it suggests, an easy romp, while Step Into My Office ramps it for a fast thrill ride. Miller is a solid player with no affectations, and a keen ear for... read more
With 12 years together under this trio's belt, they came along just too late to be the crew that would have made BMG extend the deal on Windham Hill Jazz. Cerebral jazz with a warmer edge than ECM cool school cerebral jazz, this is wonderful set of thoughtful jazz that doesn't make you work to listen to it. The kind of in the pocket music that you can easily mistake for background music until it slowly surprises you by taking center stage,... read more
Seattle, Washington-based trumpeter/composer/blogger Jason Parker highly recommended that I listen to "Dialogue" (Origin Records), the new CD from the trio of trumpeter Thomas Marriott, Mark Taylor (alto saxophone) and drummer Matt Jorgensen. It's actually the ensemble's 2nd CD which was released in 2010 in Marriott's name as "Human Spirit." That's now the name of the group.
The 8 tracks here were recorded in October of 2011 at... read more
It's possible that the jazz fans of the next 1000 years will revisit the Seattle sound at the turn of this century. If so, John Bishop's independent label, Origin Records, will enjoy a number of reissues. Representing a small circle of local players, Origin’s catalog sports over a dozen releases, the most recent being one of the best: Steve Korn’s "Here and Now."
For his initial recording as a leader Korn plays with two of his... read more
Resonance, as manifested in the new recording of the same title by guitarist John Stowell, takes two guises. First, as a talented guitar player with an impressive resume, Stowell can be counted on, nee, expected to provide interesting and compelling performances of both his original and the jazz standard repertoire. This is certainly evident in his choice of recital items. Second, Stowell teams up with the modern guitar Stradivari, Mike Doolin,... 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