Origin Records Reviews

Amit Friedman - Sunrise
by Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz

This seems to be shaping up as the year of the "Sunrise." Two outstanding sets by that name have been released in 2012: one by the Masabumi Kikuchi Trio on ECM Records, the other a self-produced gem by the Indo/American chamber ensemble, Karavika. Israeli saxophonist Amit Friedman makes it a triptych with his own Sunrise, on Seattle's Origin Records.

Friedman has a knack for memorable melodies enmeshed in sophisticated and lively... read more

Benjamin Boone - The Poets Are Gathering
by John Murph, Downbeat (Hot Box)

3 1/2 STARS The Poets Are Gathering is Benjamin Boone's most ambitious recording yet, one where he recruits a superb arsenal of poets who unravel their works with razor-sharp conviction and clarity. The marriage of jazz and poetry can invite as much scorn as it does celebration, perhaps stemming from spoken-word recitations overpowering middling music or accompaniment overcompensating for lackluster verses. But when deployed by Boone,... read more

Darrell Grant - Truth And Reconciliation
by Nick's Picks, Primetime A & E, May 2007

As an accomplished New York sideman for many years, pianist Grant bounced around the scene, and the country, releasing small group CDs along the way for Verve and the defunct 32 Jazz labels. After a self-imposed sabbatical, Grant returns with Truth and Reconciliation, a well-recorded CD of sturdy originals and covers that enlist top-flight players like drummer Brian Blade, bassist John Patitucci and guitarist Bill Frisell. Grant skillfully... read more

John Gunther - Painting the Dream
by Dee Dee McNeil, Making A Scene

This is a very artsy jazz project. First, the cover of this album is stunning and painted by John Gunther's talented mother, Judy Gunther. All the music is composed by John Gunther and enhanced by Dawn Clement, whose vocal additions are both unique and beautiful. She is also the creative pianist of this trio, adding electronics. Dru Heller is the timekeeper on both drums and cymbals. You can hear their direction and uniqueness on the very... read more

Scott Burns - Passages
by Peter Margasak, Chicago Reader

It's hardly news that Chicago has a deep jazz community, and though a variety of specific scenes exist (free jazz, neo-trad, etc), players here tend to be distinguished by their versatility. But that often means that if a musician doesn't wear a particular hat, he or she can get overlooked. Case in point: tenor saxophonist Scott Burns. One of the most reliable horn players in town, Burns has been mentioned in these pages as a member of the... read more

John Bishop - Antwerp
by Russell Perry, WTJU-FM

Drummer John Bishop (Benjamin Boone, Hal Galper, Thomas Marriott) founded Origin Records as a label "run for musicians by musicians", yet rarely does he issue music under his own name. It has been 18 years since Nothing If Not Something in 2005. Of the program of six originals and three covers (by Hal Galper, Carla Bley, Henry Mancini), Dan McClenaghan wrote on AllAbout Jazz, "From the opener, Weijters' rollicking Ruchsichtslos, to Galper's... read more

Matt Jorgensen + 451 - Another Morning
by Peter Monaghan, Earshot Jazz

Also on Origin is Matt Jorgensen +451, one of the most impressive live jazz bands in this region, with the potential to impress far afield. Their live performances are at times stunning -- supertight and driving. On disc, as live, the quartet has great confidence. Listening to them, you really do believe that there is every reason why their sound is arrayed their way, which, when you think about it, is a most curious thing.

Another... read more

Bobby Broom - Upper West Side Story
by Mr. Blue Boogie, Billybop.be (Belgium)

**** (4-Stars)

Bobby Broom is one of today?s Top guitarists in the world of Jazz music and with his Upper West Side Story; he comes as trio with 9
terrific tracks. All of them are original, but none of them will become a Jazz Standard. However that really doesn?t change a lot to
the fact that the songs are great and full of energy. "D?s Blues" is a typical Hard Bop track. Title track "Upper West Side Story? comes
with some... read more

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