Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Geof Bradfield - Urban Nomad
by Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune
A noted Chicago tenor saxophonist, Bradfield has had a great deal to celebrate of late. He recently won a prestigious Chamber Music America grant to create a suite of pieces, inspired by a tour of Africa. And he has been performing prolifically in support of his second CD, "Urban Nomad" (Origin Records), and its repertoire is sure to be featured in his performances this... read more
John Moulder - Decade: Memoirs
by Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune
BEST OF 2018 It's difficult to say which is most profound: Chicago guitarist Moulder's compositions, his ferocity as guitarist or his gifts as bandleader. All converge on this album, a major statement of vast expressive and stylistic reach, from the epic "Memoirs by the Sea" (Parts 1 and 2) and the incantations of "One Last Call" to the acoustic-guitar whisperings of "About Us" and the fragile lyricism of "Remembrance." Ample atmosphere, color... read more
Chuck Deardorf - Transparence
by George Fendel, Jazz Society of Oregon
A veteran of countless recording dates, Deardord has been a Rock of Gibralter on the Seattle jazz map for decades. On this intriguing recording, he "mixes and matches" various tunes with different combinations of piano, guitar, drums, tenor and alto sax, percussionists and other participants. A few of the best known names, none of which appear on all tunes, are Bill Mays, piano, Bruce Forman, guitar, and Gary Hobbs, drums. Mays is always a... read more
Hadley Caliman - Gratitude
by George Fendel, Platter Chatter
Seattle resident, Hadley Caliman actually got his start gigging on LA's Central Avenue with the likes of Art Farmer, Dexter Gordon and Gerald Wilson, among numerous others. At some point, he was influenced by the sound of John Coltrane, and it's the Coltrane thing which you can hear in the high energy opener, "Back For More," and on many other selections as well. For this recording Caliman chooses to work with a rather unusually constructed... read more
Matt Jorgensen + 451 - Another Morning
by Christopher DeLaurenti, The Stranger
With Another Morning (Origin), Matt Jorgensen+451 continue their pathbreaking combination of jazz, rock, and funk, all without succumbing to the excesses of yore: aimless solos, straitjacketed arrangements, and second-rate riffs. My favorite track, "Lock Down," begins with Ryan Burns laying down some serene electric piano chords but a sequence of ascending harmonies takes over, giving the tune a yearning, Pet Sounds?era Brian Wilson feel. Fine... read more
Brittany Anjou - Enamigo Reciprokataj
by Philip Freeman, Downbeat
Why did pianist Brittany Anjou title her album Enamigo Reciprokataj, which translates from Esperanto to "reciprocal love?" Even after giving it a listen, the answer's still unclear.
Anjou's debut album, inspired by a Stravinsky ballet, is a strong, classicist piano-trio effort that nods to the work of Ahmad Jamal, Vince Guaraldi and even modern players like Cyrus Chestnut in its focus on melody and swing, while still journeying as far afield... read more
Last Word Quintet - Falling to Earth
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
A Chicago quartet, plus Marc Kelly Smith's voice, Last Word Quintet pen stories of urban life here, where 12 lively tracks unfold with nods to beat poetry.
The lively spirit of "Iron Tango" starts the listen with Smith's raw spoken word alongside Sarah Allen's well timed drums and Doug Lofstrom's playful bass, and "Children Of Paradise" follows with a hint of rasp, as Bob Long's warm keys guide the soulful brass.
In the middle, the... read more
John Stowell and Dave Liebman - Blue Rose
by George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly
RINGER OF THE WEEK If you're not a sucker for duet albums, maybe THIS one will change your mind. Acoustic guitarist John Stowell sits down by the fireplace with Dave Liebman for a collection of duets that sounds like a conversation between masters of their craft, which is exactly what it is.
Liebman, who is better known for being a bit on the left of center side of music, reigns in like a stallion while delivering deft performances on... read more
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