Celebrating his recent retirement after thirty years as a jazz educator, Collier let's the improv drive him rather than the other way around as he transposes ideas and adds Bill Frisell to the mix. Very George Russell in reminisce vibes are going on here as Collier weaves his vibes throughout, this is a set for eggheads that wear their mortar boards proudly. Deceptively simple, there's a lot going on here for those that want to dig... read more
The drummer that knows how to give everyone else some rounds up the crew again for some killer stuff inspired by recent jaunts across the pond and the growth of the camaraderie it inspired. With a load of groovy sounding 60s stuff running through this collection of originals, the vibe is right in the pocket for anyone that likes straight ahead stuff with a solid groove. Top shelf stuff throughout, this is a trip you must... read more
4-STARS Jazz music has proliferated through generations traditionally by means of the oral tradition—meaning that knowledge is passed on by mentors, some by personal connection and others by more casual means. In modern times, this tradition lives alongside the jazz school phenomenon, where classrooms and studios incubate talent, while students inescapably still must pay their dues on the bandstand, playing with musicians that are more... read more
Dr. Shawn Purcell, originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a jazz guitarist, educator, arranger, and composer living in the Washington DC region. Purcell earned a BS from Duquesne University, an MA in Music from Middle Tennessee State University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Jazz Performance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He managed to do this after a career in the US Air force where he performed with a number of... read more
***1/2
Like the veteran Hollywood film and TV orchestrator he is, Tim Davies understands instinctively how to blend orchestral colors and textures to create moods, aligning himself with his hero, Nelson Riddle. Tonal and textural artistry abound on The Expensive Train Set, an ambitious endeavor that dwells largely in a meditative atmosphere with touches of melancholia. It features two Davies-led groups: a Los Angeles band of session... read more
I'll leave it to bandleader/saxophonist/composer Rathburn to describe his concept with this recording: "A setting of Margaret Atwood's poetry for jazz orchestra, sung by Luciana Souza, with special guests Bill Stewart (drummer) and Tim Hagans (trumpet)."
The 10 tracks over two albums are broken into the two three-part suites (Two Islands I, II, III and Power Politics I, II, III) and four other pieces and the playing is gorgeously understated... read more
Alto-saxophonist Maddie Vogler's While We Have Time (Origin, 50:53 ***1/2) defies expectations a bit. Some of her music is dedicated to her grandmother who left Cuba for Chicago with her family when she was 16. While the opening number, "The Need To Be," is Latin-flavored jazz, the other pieces are modern hard bop with just subtle hints at Vogler's Latin background. She has an original sound on alto and takes fluent solos throughout this outing... read more
Few bassists in modern jazz speak with the authority, warmth and emotional candor that Harvie S does. On Bright Dawn, he provides a beautifully-measured
reminder of why he remains one of the instrument's most eloquent modern voices. This isn't merely a leader date but a carefully-curated ensemble statement,
with the bassist and his drummer Matt Wilson as its only constants. Guitarist Peter Bernstein and pianist/Fender Rhodes player Miki Hayama... read more
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.
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
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Affinity Trio - New Outlook
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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