Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Scenes - ...But Not Heard
by C. Michael Bailey, All About Jazz
Of their second recording, Along The Way (Origin, 2006), guitarist and All About Jazz contributor John Kelman said, "There's an airy, ECM-like feel to much of the album... more in its aesthetic than any direct stylistic reference." That immediately frames the music of guitarist John Stowell, bassist Jeff Johnson and drummer John Bishop, giving it a definition and location. The "ECM sound" at once defies accurate definition while... read more
Peter Epstein and Idée Fixe - Abstract Realism
by David Kane, Cadence
Aptly titled, Abstract Realism plies the interesting waters that lie between conventional Jazz and the Avant-garde. This is the sort of progressive Jazz I find interesting: Jazz that employs both tonality and atonality; where written material serves to propel the performers into improvised flights of fancy and where the music is replete with dynamic contrast. Just a quick com parison of two tracks, "Simple" and "Center" for instance, cover quite... read more
Scenes - Destinations
by Steve Wyzard, Amazon
Scenes have now released six albums for Seattle's Origin Records, and one doesn't have to look too far to find descriptions such as "introspective", "impressionistic", "haunted", "ethereal", "Sunday afternoon jazz", etc when their music is being discussed. I won't short-change 2017's Destinations album by calling it "more of the same", but would much rather praise the timeless consistency of their sound and performances. Guitarist John Stowell,... read more
Mark Taylor - Spectre
by Chris Robinson, Earshot Jazz
Those familiar with my reviews of Thomas Marriott's recent work will know that I find Mark Taylor to be a unique and refreshing voice on both soprano and alto saxophones. On Spectre, his first solo re-lease in six years, Taylor shows why he's an oft called upon saxophonist in the Seattle scene ? performing and recording with Jim Knapp, Matt Jorgensen + 451, Chad McCullough and many others. On Spectre Taylor teams up with the L.A. based Gary... read more
Benjamin Boone - The Poets Are Gathering
by Christa V, WCBN - Ann Arbor
This is an innovative album combining poetry and jazz together, the third of its kind that Boone has created. The two art forms have always been linked, and this is a great way to bring them back together. Essentially each song consists of a poet reading their work while jazz music plays as a backing track, turning the poetry into lyrics. All of the works chosen are powerful poems responding to current issues, particularly racism. The music... read more
Matt Jorgensen +451 - Hope
by LYNN DARROCH, The Oregonian
This is not just another collection of intelligent contemporary jazz originals by a group of talented Pacific Northwest artists. It is one of more than 80 CDs produced by Origin Records, the prolific Seattle jazz label, publisher and presenting organization, and it is distinguished by the qualities that many of the label's products display: great writing, a fresh sound and excellent musicianship.
It's also by Origin Records co-owner Matt... read more
Mimi Fox - This Bird Still Flies
by Bruce Lindsay, Jazz Journal (London)
Mimi Fox has been playing guitar for over four decades and released her first album in the 1980s, but This Bird Still Flies is her first all-acoustic recording - mostly on a Taylor acoustic, with Day Tripper featuring a baritone guitar. Mixing self-penned tunes with jazz standards and a couple of Lennon/McCartney numbers, the album gives Fox a chance to show off her versatility on the acoustic instruments.
Fox holds the attention... read more
Brad Goode - Polytonal Big Band: The Snake Charmer
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
Now over 20 albums deep, the trumpet player Brad Goode brings his skills a Big Band effort, where the 8 songs are fleshed out with plenty of winds and brass on hand.
The lively and rich "Goose Chase" opens the listen with Paul Romaine's frisky drums amid the bright brass, and "The Snake Charmer" follows with a calmer mood, as Victor Mestas-Perez contributes warm keys alongside the saxophones.
"Ornithology" and "Pentacles" reside in the... read more
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