There are few saxophonists who can melt the hardest of hearts as reliably as Quartet West player Ernie Watts. Eighty this autumn, Watts replicates that feat yet again on Seattle pianist Marc Seales' engaging opener 'Rue Cler.'
A quartet album, the line-up is completed by bassist Bruce Lett and by drummer Moyes Lucas Jr. There's an energetic version of Wayne Shorter 1977 Weather Report Heavy Weather classic 'Palladium' among the main... read more
My Shining Hour is far more than one more artist taking the easy way out by banging out a selection of tunes from the Great American Songbook. Bobby Broom doesn't play covers, he reinvents and meticulously manipulates melodies to find a new way of looking at some time tested classics. To call some of these selections "eclectic" would be the equivalent of beating the proverbial harmonic dead horse. To call some of these selections... read more
Resonance is an excellent title for this unique CD by John Stowell. It was recorded in Portland, Oregon, between 2003 and 2004 at luthier Mike Doolin's home studio. All of the guitars were designed and built by Mike.
John's style and his complete control of the tone and timber of the guitar, his master of dynamics, and the wonderful guitars that Mike Doolin has provided, make this set resonate with joy and love.
Opening with an... read more
The DC resident and guitarist extraordinaire Shawn Purcell finds himself in the company of Pat Bianchi (Hammond C3 organ), Jason Tieman (drums, cymbals), Darden Purcell (vocals) and Ben Patterson (trombone) for these 11 adventurous tunes that tip their hat to heroes like Pat Martino, Grant Green and Wes Montgomery.
"Cat And Mouse" opens the listen with a bouncy rhythm that benefits from swift guitar and frisky drums in its timeless jazz... read more
Drummer Waldrop writes hummable tunes that jump in guess-where twists. Here, he shares bustling charts with ex-boss Jack Cooper (hear Mists, his alluring Charles Ives tribute). On the title track, "Munich Musings" and "Twisted Barb," he packs missed crannies with lightning fills.... read more
In a way, the Atwood Suites have been in the works for almost two decades. When Kenny Wheeler approached Toronto native Andrew Rathbun in search for a band in 2001, the former furthermore inquired if the latter would like a composition of his own penning to be performed beside Wheeler's "Suite Time Suite." Consequently, the "Power Politics Suite," which makes for the second half of the first CD, was born, with Wheeler's and vocalist Luciana... read more
Not for the inattentive listener, this deeply engrossing music composed by vibraphone/marimba player Collier treads the ground of "pure", non-generic music. This music could be at home in a symphonic concert hall, a jazz night club, an electronic music seminar, or a Zen Center. Collier and his renowned colleagues, (Bill Frisell, guitar, Cuong Vu, trumpet, etc) stay gloriously true to their abstractions and improvisations.... read more
The album was released in August 2022 featuring the LMR Jazz Orchestra, lead vocalists Kurt Elling and Tierney Sutton, the St. Dominic Catholic Church Choir and organist Simon Berry.
The Jazz Mass was commissioned and the brainchild of California's Napa Valley trombonist and entrepreneur Ted Hall, (in honor of his 50th wedding anniversary), who dreamed of a monumental work combining the traditional Latin liturgy and jazz.
Ted Hall's dream of... 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
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