Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra - SRJO Live
by Jason West, All About Jazz
Like Shackleton's epic voyage of survival in Antarctica, one struggles to imagine the time, resources, social skill and organizational acumen necessary to lead a jazz orchestra. Even more mindboggling is the idea of stepping into the shoes of Duke Ellington, Count Basie or Jimmie Lunceford, transcribing their classic big band recordings, and performing them live on your orchestra's debut CD.
Yet, Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra directors... read more
George Colligan - The Endless Mysteries
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
What do you do when you're Jack DeJohnette's piano man and you feel like improvising but ECM tells you the roster is currently full? You call Larry Grenadier and tell him to bring over his bass, then call John Bishop at Origin and say "have I got a deal for you." This set of originals feels more lived in than improv-ed and a smoking time is had by all. Hot stuff from a crew that doesn't need to be told what to... read more
Marc Seales - American Songs, Volume 3: Time & Place
by Tree Palmedo, Jazz Society of Oregon
Pianist Marc Seales has been a Northwest mainstay for years, and his American Songs series has been a consistently entertaining look at jazz and blues history. On the third volume in the series, Seales digs into the funkier side of things, both with his song choice and his band's electrified sound. The album kicks off with Curtis Mayfield's "Pusher Man," a bold choice and one that initially feels off. But once guitarist Fred Hamilton... read more
Michael Zilber - East West: Music for Big Bands
by Jack Bowers, All About Jazz
On East West, his first-ever big-band enterprise, Canadian-born saxophonist Michael Zilber leads world-class ensembles in New York City and San Francisco, which speaks volumes about his artistry and gravitas. Zilber not only plays saxophone on both bands, he composed eight of the fourteen numbers on this handsome two-CD set and arranged all of them.
Even while playing and recording in smaller groups on both coasts and in Canada, Zilber had... read more
Dave Slonaker Big Band - Convergency
by Troy Dostert, All About Jazz
4-STARS Composer/conductor Dave Slonaker probably won't qualify as "prolific," at least based on recorded output alone, as he spends a lot of his time behind the scenes in film and television workâbut one must appreciate the level of craftsmanship that he brings to his big band projects. His debut release, Intrada (Origin Records, 2014), received a well-earned Grammy nomination, and his sophomore effort is no less accomplished, with... read more
David Weiss Sextet - Auteur
by Carlo Wolff, DownBeat
4 1/2 STARS The David Weiss Sextet's first album in 10 years is a master class in musical power. It presents five primarily long-form tunes by trumpeter Weiss and one each by Freddie Hubbard and Slide Hampton.
Auteur is immersive modern music spanning "The Mirror," a staple of the group's repertoire; "The Other Side Of The Mountain," a gorgeous Martin Luther King Jr. homage; and "Too Little Too Late," the relatively brisk... read more
Upper Left Trio - Sell Your Soul Side
by Paul Abella, Chicago Jazz Magazine, March/April 2006
There seems to be a new brand of piano trios brewing in jazz today. Groups that are willing to ditch the common ideas of the piano-bass-drums trio format and come up with something completely their own. E.S.T., Katahdin's Edge and The Bad Plus have been doing things in this vein for years now. Through studio trickery, slick arrangements of pop tunes or just plain inventive songwriting, these groups have been forging ahead, crafting their own... read more
Todd Bishop - Travelogue
by C. Michael Bailey, All About Jazz
Drummer Todd Bishop's last two releases: Little Played Little Bird (Origin, 2012) and Pop Art 4: 69 Annee Erotique (Origin, 2009) were exceptional expositions of concept, production and musicianship. Using his band from Little Bird Bishop switches to a collection of original compositions as his vehicle on Travelogue.
Bishop's band has properly gelled, benefiting from having played together consistently for the last... read more
Looking for a specific review?
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.
Search Reviews:
Recently Added Reviews:
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