4-STARS Spontaneity rules. Seattle-based trumpeter Thomas Marriott had a day off from touring with his quartet, so he decided to go into the studio and record an album: Trumpet Ship. His twelfth outing for Origin Records—all of them reaching for the stars, all of them getting there—this quartet album lines up after his stop-you-in-your-tracks gorgeous Romance Language (Origin Records, 2018). A tough act to follow. Marriott and his... read more
Translated from Japanese: In Friday of last week, it is said from customers "Why do not you listen to Hal Galper's new score?", I am ordering to Amazon yet I have not received it yet, but I really wanted to ask "Do you want me?". I immediately pressed the play button.
Bergonzi felt a little customer-oriented, but this is also wonderful. After listening at the shop quickly, I listened to the tenth times with the loud sound at the store again... read more
A new release from the Deep Blue Organ Trio is always cause for celebration, and their new Origin Records release is no exception. The Deep Blue Organ Trio (DBOT) is much more than the typical Hammond organ trio - guitar, organ and drums - in that they have the Hammond groove down pat as one would expect with a group of their longevity (performing under their name since around 2000), but they go way beyond the usual Hammond trio repertoire. The... read more
The Portland, Oregon-based Bridge Quartet is a group of hard-swinging musical daredevils who play with ultra-modern sensibilities. The ensemble consists of drummer Alan Jones, pianist Darrell Grant, bassist Tom Wakeling and Canadian saxophonist Phil Dwyer. Their debut release, Day, contains fresh takes on well-worn standards like "Wouldn't It Be Loverly," "Where or When" and "Milestones," along with enticing original material.
With an... read more
A Bridge Between Eastern Europe and the U.S. Michael Waldrop's Transatlantic Vision
4-STARS A bridge between Eastern Europe and the United States that's precisely what composer and drummer Michael Waldrop sets out to create with his latest album. To understand how this ambitious musical dialogue came to life, it helps to know the story behind it.
The virtuoso Serbian pianist Vasil Hadžimanov has long been a household name... read more
5-STARS There are two trombonists in the world I hold in the highest regard. One hails from Europe, the unmistakable figure with the red trombone, Nils Landgren. The other is American, and his name is Michael Dease. While their styles are worlds apart, shaped by different cultural soil, both possess something rare and essential: the ability to transcend their instrument and become, in essence, actors on the musical stage.
This is not... read more
Somebody out there needs to give some high fives to Phil Kelly. Really, it's not very common these days for anyone to release a big band CD this good. And why? Well, among a plethora of highly skilled band barons, a few of the all-star types include Jay Thomas, trumpet; Jerry Dodgion, alto; Pete Christlieb, tenor; Bill Ramsay, baritone; Dave Marriott, trombone; John Hansen, piano, and two Portland faves, Dave Captein, bass, and Gary Hobbs,... read more
Another name that shows up quite regularly on the Origin/OA2 rosters is Bil Anschell, a pianist surely worthy of wider exposure. As both leader and sideman he has racked up an impressive cache of credentials, playing in varied configurations from duets to larger settings, but 'Figments' is his debut in a solo piano setting. Captured on the most basic studio equipment at is home somewhere in the greater Seattle area, these unpretentious and... 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