Part of a musical family, guitarist Jaiman Crunk grew up in the San Francisco Bay area, spent years living in Europe, and is now based in Seattle. Encounters is his recording debut and it is a particularly impressive effort for Crunk, both as a guitarist and as a composer.
The personnel and instrumentation change from song-to-song on Encounters. But although many all-stars are scattered throughout the eight selections, the program has a... read more
Seattle-based trumpeter Thomas Marriott plays well with electricity. Specifically, with the Hammond B3 organ. The most memorable of his now nine CDs on Origin Records feature either the Hammond B3 or some serious Moog synthesizer/Fender Rhodes work: Crazy: The Music of Willie Nelson (2007), with Ryan Burns on electric keys; Human Spirit (2009), featuring Gary Versace on B3; and now Return of the East-West Summit, with the versatile George... read more
Guitarist John Stowell (David Friesen, Tom Harrell, Billy Hart) and trombonist Dave Glenn (Chuck Mangione, The Mel Lewis Orchestra, Blood, Sweat and Tears) formed a kind of alliance with The Hawcaptak Quartet, not to really play together but to to jointly release a CD.
A somewhat different method because the duo recorded their parts in a different studio and at a different time than the string quartet. The twenty-one (usually) short pieces... read more
For most of his life, Jordan VanHemert has been on a quest of growth and mastery as a saxophonist, composer and musician. But equally important have been his efforts to contextualize some of the difficulties of his life experiences within the deeper themes of his DNA, discovering in the process resilience, optimism and joy. Jordan's music is meant to convey empathy and solidarity to others who have also faced challenges in their lives. This... read more
Seattle-based trumpeter Chad McCullough has assembled a North-West all-star line-up for his debut release, Dark Wood, Dark Water, mixing it up with Origin Records regulars on an inspired, modern-leaning post-bop outing.
On "Three Pillars," a silky three-horn harmony blows in like a brisk wind in the embrace of the top-tier rhythm team of bassist Jeff Johnson, pianist Bill Anschell and drummer John Bishop. McCullough and his... read more
4-STARS A piano trio led by a drummer? While that may not always be The Natural Order of Things, it is here. The drummer is the veteran Ted Moore, his teammates the talented pianist Phil Markowitz and rock-solid bassist Kai Eckhardt. Moore composed and arranged (almost) all of the music, which enlivens themes from Brazil and Spain, embraces the classical canon, and embodies earnest tributes to Chick Corea and Miles Davis / Joe... read more
Composer and trombonist Ben Patterson puts together a modern sounding big band through some swinging originals. The charts give a hint of Count Basie, as the sections jab from the side like a middleweight boxer on the Rat Packish "The Mixup" featuring the tenor saxes of Tedd Baker and Xavier Perez". Likewise, the reeds are velvety and brass polished as they warmly frame Patterson's trombone on "Anne Marie" and they create bold declarations... read more
The pianist Bram Weijters we have already presented at Jazz Halo with other albums - see information. He is part of a young generation of promising Belgian jazz musician. Among the recent projects in which he has participated include Dez Mona, Hamster Axis of the One-Click Panther, Koen Nys Quintet, Fables of Fungus and his own Bram Weijters Trio. For the composed specially for the current album quartet Bram Weijters has surrounded with... 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