Origin Records Reviews

Jaiman Crunk - Encounters
by Ian Patterson, All About Jazz

Seattle-based guitarist Jaiman Crunk hasn't taken half measures on Encounters, his debut as leader. In addition to marshalling over 20 top jazz musicians?cherry picked for specific roles?Crunk employs fourteen brass, woodwind and string musicians from the Seattle Symphony Orchestra on half the compositions. These four numbers in particular underline Crunk's notable compositional and arranging skills and he succeeds, as few do, in marrying the... read more

Ray Vega & Thomas Marriott - Return of the East-West Trumpet Summit
by Raul DaGama, Latin Jazz Network

Frank Foster, in his autobiography tells of the time when he was invited on stage to play, at a time when he thought he was the bee's knees. He soon found out that Gene Ammons was also on stage with him and it didn't take Foster to find out who the real 'boss' was. That 'cutting' contest taught him a real lesson, not only in humility, but also in musicianship. The two trumpets on Return Of The East West Trumpet Summit are not in it to win... read more

Matt Jorgensen +451 - Hope
by Brian Kidd, North Seattle Herald

With the March 16 release of their latest album, "Hope," Matt Jorgensen+451 stand on the border of nostalgic reflection and future aspiration, peripherally looking back and forward. They pay tribute while propelling original compositions into innovative, cosmic sounds.

Behind the drum kit is Matt Jorgensen, but it is the entire band that is behind this evolving and warm music.

Following "The Road Begins Here" and "Quiet Silence"... read more

EEA - The Dark
by Ken Dryden, All Music Guide

EEA are a trio of jazz faculty members at the University of Nevada, Reno, consisting of saxophonist Peter Epstein, trumpeter Larry Engstrom, and pianist David Ake. The lack of additional rhythm instruments gives the players both plenty of freedom and responsibility, which they handle well. The trio's three group improvisations stand out with potent interplay, with the first sounding as if it could be used as a film soundtrack. Ake composed six... read more

Karrin Allyson - A Kiss for Brazil
by Randy Morse, The Best of Brazil

A Kiss for Brazil is a magnificent album! I've eagerly anticipated its release, especially after you announced that my favorite Brazilian singer, Rosa Passos, would join you — my favorite American jazz singer — as a special guest. What could be better? On top of that, your backing musicians (V'tor Gonçalves, Yotam Silberstein, Harvie S, and Rafael Barata) are stellar. You've said that before you and Rosa met, you had been fans of each... read more

Gabriel Guerrero & Quantum - Equilibrio
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect

The inimitable pianist Gabriel Guerrero brings his Colombian heritage to these worldly 11 tracks that put him in the company of Seth Trachy, Will Slater, Felix Lecaros, Fung Chern Hwei and Guillermo Barrón.

The textured warmth of "Present Moment" opens the listen with Trachy' elegant sax aligning with Guerrero's playful piano playing, and "Ozpal" follows with Lecaros' animated drums amid the dancing keys of the frisky climate.

Halfway... read more

Gregg Keplinger and Rick Mandyck - Tribute
by James D. Armstrong, Jr., JazzNow

Tribute is an astonishingly beautiful duo session by Rick Mandyck and Gregg Keplinger, replete with musical gestures which derive their inspiration in part from the musical forms pioneered by John Coltrane. While this music at times may evoke comparisons with the extended musical dialogues between Coltrane and percussionist Elvin Jones, the form and content here is in fact original, and anything but predictable. With repeated listening, the... read more

Ben Paterson - For Once In My Life
by Rick Anderson, CD Hotlist

Pianist Ben Paterson leads his marvelous trio through a very nicely varied set of standards, originals, and modern covers on this, his first album on organ. The title track is a re-envisioning of a 1970s soul classic as a jazz waltz that segues into a gospel shout; his take on "Cry Me a River" is gorgeous, his version of Paul Simon's "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" is witty and insightful. At all points he sounds as if he's been playing the... read more

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