"****"
Mention the Hammond B-3 organ to a jazzer, and what comes to mind is the soundtrack of '60s barbecues and fish fries�funk-based music once so popular that it'll fuel breakbeat remixes and jam bands in perpetuity. However, Hammond bop has also endured a measure of stigmatization; many still see it as a low-rent offshoot of serious music, unless you're referring to a John Coltrane�inspired grinder such as Blue Note icon Larry Young.... read more
Chicago based saxophonist Geof Bradfield's Melba! is a much needed tribute to the criminally underexposed trombonist and arranger Melba Liston. Liston debuted with trumpeter, bandleader Gerald Wilson, was one of the stars of trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie's bebop big band and devoted herself to arranging after she met pianist Randy Weston with whom she had a long and fruitful career.
Commissioned by Chamber Music America's 2011 New Jazz Works... read more
The album title suggests the cumulative memory of a journey that, once you hear this album, may have been epic. There's nothing grandiose about the Milwaukee trumpeter Jacobson's new album but his journey has inspired a whole album of original material and its strong stuff, one through eight. It opens with a burner that asserts not just the ability to play at a ridiculous speed, but as if they need to, given the title, "Survival."
By... read more
Andrea Brachfeld plays flute and the darker alto flute set to a collection of Brazilian themes dominated by Antonio Jobim. She mixes and matches with Bill O'Connell/p-key, Harvie S-Lincoln Goines/g, Roni Ben-Hur/g, T. Porinho-Jason Tiemann/dr and Chembo Corniel/perc with some boppy pieces like her own "Espaco Aberto" and a relaxed "Triste E Solitaria." Jobim's "Double Rainbow" is a soulful keyboard affair with Brachfeld's flute floating to the... read more
John Stowell has spent the last thirty years developing a reputation as one of the finest guitarists and educators in the country. John has a unique playing style, holding the guitar almost upright like a cellist. His incredible harmonic vocabulary has given him a personalized sound that has become instantly recognizable to fans of jazz guitar. Along with his performing career, John is also in high demand as a teacher and clinician. Over the... read more
I still have a few tapes laying 'round, but none as good as this 23-year-old master from Tad, whose high-talent percussion work is joined by Sax/keyboards/flute/cowbell from Hans Teuber, bass from Jeff Johnson and guitar by Pete Fogle... sessions recorded inn the '92-'93 time-frame are now immortalized on tunes like the wonderful & airy "Gone"... it's only 4:18, but it will stay with you for the long term, to be sure. Hans's reeds are prevalent... read more
Imagine being the leader of and composer/arranger for two big bands and you'll get the idea of this release. Both have identical instrumentation, though the only player common to both is Tim Davies (drums) himself. One band is in Melbourne and the other in Los Angeles and one song combines the two together. The sound is large and powerful and often "sharp" like the James Bond movie orchestras. All but two of the compositions are by Davies.... read more
Jazz History Online is not in the business of fortune-telling, but it's always gratifying to hear young musicians who have mastered the jazz language and have the potential to either carry the old traditions into the future or blaze innovative trails. The three vocalists reviewed here are all currently in their late 20s or early 30s and have developed their styles and sounds to a very high degree. They are certainly not the only promising... 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