Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Matt Otto - Umbra
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
The tenor sax extraordinaire Matt Otto has a lengthy history of live performances, and here he captures that energy with Jeff Harshbarger, John Kizilarmut, Hermon Mehari, Matt Villinger and Alex Frank for these 9 fusion filled songs.
'Little Things" wastes no time making an impression with Otto's radiant sax alongside Kizilarmut's agile drumming, and "Hawk" follows with a radiant demeanor that emits a calming intimacy that makes great use... read more
Thomas Marriott - Human Spirit
by Jeff Krow, Audiophile Audition
We've been covering Thomas Marriott since his third CD back in 2007. Last June, he showed that he could more than hold his own when matched with Ray Vega in a trumpet fest. He has been featured as a lead sideman on many of his label mate's CDs. His rise as a first choice trumpeter has been steady, almost meteoric.
His latest CD for Origin is Human Spirit, and it is a joy. Adding a Hammond B-3 to the mix with fellow Northwesterner... read more
Chad McCullough - Dark Wood, Dark Water
by Kyle O'Brien, Oregon Jazz Scene
Seattle has produced some really good trumpet talent, and McCullough joins the ranks with his debut release. Aside from being a talented player, McCullough is a composer of some weight. His "Three Pillars" is a journey jazz piece, venturing into an interesting chordal world that gives soloists -- such as himself, bassist Jeff Johnson and alto saxophonist Mark Taylor -- a chance to stretch out and explore the space. His arrangement of... read more
Joe Locke / Geoffrey Keezer Group - Live In Seattle
by John Kelman, All About Jazz
Vibist Joe Locke and keyboardist Geoffrey Keezer have been working together for some time as the New Sound Quartet, which has released two discs in Japan. But while that group - clearly the precursor to this quartet - focused out of necessity on a primarily standards-based repertoire, Live in Seattle provides a far better and more accurate representation of its potential. Featuring three songs each by Locke and Keezer, it's also further... read more
New York Voices - Reminiscing in Tempo
by Dr. Debra Jan Bibel, Amazon
Jazz vocal ensembles have a long history [recall the Mills Brothers of the 1930's, the Hi-Lo's quartet of the 1950s, Lamberts, Hendricks & Ross of the 1960s, and the Swingle Singers of the 1970s) and several are still active. While Manhattan Transfer continues in its second edition, the New York Voices, founded 30 years ago, continues largely intact. Their initial popularity was in the 1990s, and over the ensuing decades they recorded with big... read more
Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra - Sacred Music of Duke Ellington
by Adam Greenburg, All Music Guide
If a repertory orchestra is going to do something, it might as well go big. Here, the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra, in combination with the Oregon Repertory Singers and a handful of guests, take on music from Duke Ellington's three Sacred Music concerts. The performances are flawless, running the range from gospel to jazz to something mighty close to American opera, with nary a false note. And the compositions are of the highest caliber, of... read more
Jessica Williams - Songs of Earth
by Britt Robson, JazzTimes
If there were a lifetime achievement award for Talent Deserving of Wider Recognition, this veteran West Coast pianist would have it in her criminally modest trophy case. Her sixth disc for the Origin label supposedly differs from the others for its heavy emphasis on spontaneous composition, with the material culled from live solo performances over the past few years at the Triple Door in Seattle, near her home. But just as Williams has... read more
Bobby Broom - My Shining Hour
by Nate Chinen, New York Times
For a jazz guitarist, Bobby Broom hasn't shown enormous interest in making a studio album of songbook standards. His output typically involves original tunes and off-kilter covers, with a boomerish sense of crossover appeal. So My Shining Hour due out on Origin on Tuesday, represents both a nod to convention and a deviation from the norm. It's also among the most satisfying jazz guitar albums likely to emerge this year. Mr. Broom, 53,... read more
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