Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Tom Collier - Alone in the Studio
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
One of the most eclectic multi-instrumentalists you are ever going to run across, Collier pulls the sum total of 50 years at this gig together with a set that has you rapt by things like vibe solos played with such an innocence and lack of guile you almost forget where you are. It's the chops---they're well done. Smart and sly jazz that takes you from classics to originals, he's been everywhere with everyone and it's easy to see why.... read more
Bobby Broom - The Way I Play: Live In Chicago
by Thomas R. Erdmann, Jazz Review
It's a shame so few musicians work in actual bands anymore; the kind of unit where the musicians stay the same from not only gig to gig, but year to year. Only through such long standing musical associations can shared concepts become created, but also explored. That is the case with guitarist Bobby Broom's band. He, bassist Dennis Carroll, and drummer Kobie Watkins, have crafted a unique working environment where all musical possibilities... read more
Doug Lofstrom with Misha Rachlevsky & the Russian String Orchestra - Music for Strings
by George W Harris, Jazz Weekly
Music composed by Doug Lofstrom is deliciously performed by the Russian String Orchestra, conducted by Misha Rachlevsky on this rich collection of original and fresh classical works. There are four major pieces, all of which brim over with musicality and grace. A three piece "Music For Strings" includes rich Britten-esque lilts, rich pizzicato'd swayings and a dramatic climax. "Concerto For String Orchestra" as gentle pleadings as well as... read more
James Moody - 80 Years Young: Live at the Blue Note, March 26, 2005
by Ferdinand Dupuis-Panther, Jazz'halo (Belgium)
Short introduction to the current album from the point of view of Origin Records: "It was an unforgettable week of music at the Blue Note in New York City, March 2005, celebrating the legendary saxophonist & flutist James Moody's 80th birthday. 80 Years Young documents the grand finale of that week, now released for the first time and in celebration of the 100th anniversary of his birth. The club was buzzing that night with jazz legends, sports... read more
Anthony Branker - Beauty Within
by Richard B. Kamins, Step Tempest
I have been wanting to talk to composer and educator Anthony Branker since 2013 and the release of "Uppity", an album that addressed racism, religion, and hope. Credited to "Word Play" and released on the Origin label, the music included "Ballad for Trayvon Martin", "Dance Like No One is Watching", "Across the Divide", "Let's Conversate" and the title track. At the time, I was teaching a course that dealt with music as social... read more
David Friesen & Bob Ravenscroft - Passage
by George W Harris, Jazz Weekly
Bassist David Friesen delivers concise duets with grand pianist Bob Ravenscroft for twenty five intuitive originals. Ravenscroft does some George Winston impressionism on "Perseverance" and Bill Evans romance on "Obedience" while for the most part you hear things like doors creaking open on "Temptation/Overcoming" and bass pickings and strings plucking on "Yielding" or "Family". Was that a saw I heard on "Resolution" or was it Tibetan... read more
Ben Patterson - The Way of the Groove
by Staff, Take Effect
The esteemed trombonist Ben Patterson tips his hat to legends like The Crusaders, The Brecker Brothers and Herbie Hancock across these 10 diverse songs, where Shawn Purcell (guitar, vocals), Luis Hernandez (tenor sax), Harry Appelman (Hammond B3, piano, synth), Paul Henry (acoustic, electric bass), Todd Harrison (drums, percussion) and Evan Reiger (vocals) accompany him.
"Anniversary Patio" opens the listen with frisky drumming, soulful... read more
Rodney Whitaker - Common Ground: The Music of Gregg Hill
by Tomas Peña, JazzDeLaPena
Bass player Rodney Whitaker moves in the highest circles of the jazz world. But when he meets a self-taught artist, his ears perk up. "They'll say 'you don't want to listen to me, I'm not trained.'" Whitaker says. "But I do. People who have figured things out themselves really know something." So when Whitaker met Gregg Hill, a self-taught jazz composer, he was ready to listen.
Whitaker has worked with the likes of Wynton Marsalis and Roy... 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