Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Marcos Varela - San Ygnacio
by John D'Auria, Bass Player
The latest album by young New York-based doubler Varela shows he can swing with the best of them, as exhibited on the opening track, "I Should Care." Varela's solo at the halfway point bursts with harmony, as he speeds his way up and down the fingerboard with precision. While the album as a whole is a melting pot of styles and vibes, it all merges together perfectly, thanks to Varela's vibrant upright... read more
John Stowell - The Banff Sessions
by A Fan, reviewindex.com
A fantastic CD from a great artist!
John Stowell is not only a great guitar player, he is one of the few unique voices in jazz today. He has a style that is instantly recognizable, and plays with very intense feeling and emotion. The sad fact is that John has been playing to this great level of musicianship for at least 25 years, yet is known to only a small number of people. John is best in small group situations, solo, duo, or trio, where... read more
John Bishop - Antwerp
by Mark Griffith, Modern Drummer
John Bishop's new recording is outstanding. For reference it has the feel of a more aggressive Bill Evans trio, with all the elasticity and interaction that Evans and his trio's were known for. Pianist Bram Weijters, and bassist Piet Verbist are among Europe's best, and this trio gels and swings together as one musical mind and concept. Listen to their collective improvisation on "For Less Than Nothing. The trio is playing mostly original music,... read more
Alex Graham - The Good Life
by Tristan Smith, Jazz Review
In one word: Impressive. Alex Graham's The Good Life showcases not only his ability as a reedman but as an improviser, composer and arranger. Backed by a veteran New York rhythm section, Graham shows hints of Dexter Gordon and Horace Silver throughout the six compositions. Additionally, Graham's talents are furthered by the inclusion of two original tunes thrown in with four created by other artists.
While Graham is an alto saxophonist by... read more
Human Spirit - Dialogue
by Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz
The three players who now call themselves Human Spirit - drummer Matt Jorgensen, trumpeter Thomas Marriott and alto saxophonist Mark Taylor - have a very successful track record of recording together. They teamed up on Jorgensen's magnificent Tattooed by Passion (2010) and Another Morning (2008), and on Marriott's strange and splendid Crazy: The Music of Willie Nelson (2008) and Flexicon (2009), all on... read more
Rodney Whitaker - Mosaic: The Music of Gregg Hill
by BMan, BMan's Blues Report
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Mosaic: The Music of Gregg Hill, by Rodney Whitaker, and it's strong. Opening with title track, Mosaic, Rodney Whitaker on bass lays down an excellent groove, bound by Rick Roe on piano and Dana Hall on piano. Terell Stafford on trumpet sets the track on fire with excellent solo phrasing, followed by Tim Warfield on soprano sax. Very nice. Roe picks up his own lead on piano with... read more
Anthony Branker and Word Play - The Forward (Towards Equality) Suite
by Britt Robson, JazzTimes
Anthony Branker has released an album on the Origin label every year since 2009, honing a hybrid of freewheeling postbop and social commentary, abetted by judicious dollops of funk, fusion, spoken word, clave and polyrhythmic percussion. That's a heady stew, but the effect is not jumbled, as composer-director Branker often incorporates these elements in broad, bold strokes, like a muralist. He has yet to make a bad record, and "Forward," a... read more
Tom Luer - Project Popular
by Adam Greenberg, All Music
Cross-pollination between jazz and pop music has become something of a mini-trend in the last few years, ranging from interesting fusions and covers on smaller labels up to a high-exposure Grammy for Herbie Hancock's renditions of Joni Mitchell songs. In the same vein, Los Angeles-based sax player Tom Luer reworks a handful of major hits into easygoing West Coast modern jazz on Project Popular. This is light, airy music fresh from the cafes more... read more
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