Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Jack Mouse - Range of Motion
by Jack Goodstein, Seattle PI
Drummer Jack Mouse has been around playing with a top notch list of jazz artists from James Moody and Stan Kenton to Randy Brecker and Kenny Burrell. With Range of Motion, he steps out to lead a set of musicians he's collaborated with over the years in a swinging examination of 10 of his original compositions. The debut recording is contemporary jazz played with cerebral passion.
The quintet features Scott Robinson on reeds and Art Davis on... read more
Anthony Branker and Ascent - Together
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
This is quite the achievement. This sounds like Branker's friendliest record yet. He pulls off the dandy feat of merging art and commerce making creative jazz that could leap to mass appeal. Straight ahead without an ounce of any kind of pandering, Branker leads his charges through a galloping date that really packs a wallop. With a pair of saxes leading the charge, this is everything you could want in a swinging, mainstream date that makes... read more
Hal Galper Trio - The Zone: Live at the Yardbird Suite
by Brian Morton, Jazz Journal (UK)
Galper has had a fantastic run on Origin records, and indeed for years before that, but, unless I'm mistaken, rarely turns up on anyone's list of essential contemporary piano players. This November 2016 live date was made shortly after the Cubist sessions and the group was apparently beat and lagged when they went on. But, as Galper has said before, there is sometimes a shared chemistry that pushes exhausted players into a zone where they play... read more
Scenes - ...But Not Heard
by George Fendel, Jazz Society of Oregon
Students of jazz are always told to listen to everyone, borrow what inspires them, but give it back eventually. Because their most important assignment is to find a voice of their own. Many flattering things can be said of Portland guitarist John Stowell. And one of them is that he is very much his own man in a highly creative musical sense. He even holds the guitar like nobody else! On this CD, Stowell is reunited with his Seattle playing mates... read more
Shawn Purcell - Oblivity
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
The D.C. guitarist Shawn Purcell is surrounded by some excellent players for these 10 originals that embrace fusion, post-bop and balladry.
The quick and dynamic title track starts the record with Walt Weiskopf's animated tenor sax amid Jeff Reed's swift bass, and "Quiet The Chaos" follows with a softer approach, as Chris Ziemba's graceful keys are met with Purcell's skilled guitar synth and wordless vocals from Darden Purcell.
"Gentle... read more
Ben Paterson - For Once In My Life
by Dan Healy, Chicago Jazz Magazine
This has been a wonderful year of recordings from eclectic jazz keyboard players. Just a few months ago, celebrated organist Dan Trudell released his terrific piano trio album. Now we find that the exquisite jazz pianist Ben Paterson has released For Once In My Life, his first Hammond B3 organ album. Although Paterson has played jazz organ for some time, he has established himself as a pianist of uncommon virtuosity - with an equally deft touch... read more
Jordan VanHemert - Survival of the Fittest
by Scott Yanow, Los Angeles Jazz Scene
Tenor saxophonist Jordan VanHemert's fifth album as a leader, Survival Of The Fittest, was partly borne out of anger and distress after losing a teaching job due to budget cuts (he has since found one at a different college) and his experiences with racism in general. Despite that, the music on this release (five originals, "Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise," "Come Sunday," a Korean folk song, and a blues) is generally hopeful,... read more
Dawn Clement - Break
by Ric Bang, The Davis Enterprise
Seattle-based Dawn Clement is an outstanding composer, arranger, pianist and vocalist. I make that assessment based on just this album.
She has played and recorded with several groups, including a previous release under her leadership, but this is my first exposure to her. My bad, in the words of today's youth.
Let's begin with her talen as a pianist: She's the most inventive, lyrical and swinging artist I've heard in years. Her covers of... read more
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