Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Anthony Branker and Word Play - Uppity
by Robert Ratajczak, LongPlay | RadioJAZZ.FM 35, Poland
Composer, conductor and director of the University Jazz [Program] in Princeton, Anthony Branker has created an excellent musical project by engaging with the leaders of American jazz; musicians: saxophonist Ralph Bowen, trombonist Andy Hunter, Eli Asher trumpeter, pianist Jim Ridl and drummer Donald Edwards.
The album opens with the funky rhythm maintained in ?Let's Conversate!? in which the saxophone and trombone lead the title conversation... read more
Hal Galper Trio - The Zone: Live at the Yardbird Suite
by Suzanne Lorge, DownBeat
4-STARS When pianist Hal Galper first heard the live recording that became The Zone: Live At The Yardbird Suite, he didn't recognize his own playing. On that November 2016 gig—at the eponymous club in Edmonton, Canada—"the music came from some place deeper," Galper wrote in the album's liner notes. The bandleader, who's a long way from his 1970s electrified workouts on the Mainstream imprint, called that place "the zone," where the... read more
John Stowell - Solitary Tales
by Ric Bang, The Davis Enterprise
Guitarist John Stowell lives and works in and around Portland, Ore. He may not be well known to the general public, but he's a "musician's musician" to name guitarists and those who know the music world well. Stowell also is a famous clinician who conducts classes throughout the United States and Canada.
This solo guitar album is his newest release on Origin; it's true gem for those who enjoy the instrument.
As it happens, Mike Doolin, one of... read more
John Stowell and Ulf Bandgren - Throop
by George Fendel, Jazz Society of Oregon
Portland guitarist Stowell always has chosen a very unique path. From his physical embrace of the guitar to the preference for an unplugged instrument, to the very music he's been playing for many years now, Stowell is an original. One could almost suggest that if it sings deliciously and delicately, it's likely to be Stowell. He's done prior recordings for Origin, but this is the first time he's teamed up in a duo setting with Swedish guitarist... read more
Michael Dease - Found in Space: The Music of Gregg Hill
by Jim Hynes, Making a Scene
Around Michigan State University's Jazz Studies Department, composer and East Lansing, MI resident Gregg Hill has taken on the kind of esteemed status one would associate with Charles Mingus or Duke Ellington. Found in Space - The Music of Gregg Hill by trombonist/baritone saxophonist Michael Dease represents the fifth album of Hill's music with a sixth from Dease coming in the future. Most of those recordings, all from MSU faculty members -... read more
Chris Walden Big Band & The St. John's Choir - Kurt Marti Suite
by Jeff Krow, Audiophile Audition
Chris Walden is an adventurous soul. He has made a strong presence in the Los Angeles big band scene with several albums of straight ahead big band music, yet he has tackled non-traditional pop music for big band arrangements of Disney's When You Wish Upon a Star, and It's a Small World After All. On his first big band effort, (2005's Home of My Heart, also on Origin Records), Walden took on film noir in a three-part suite, as well as the theme... read more
Purna Loka Ensemble - Metaraga
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
Loka's cover shot makes it look like he's hanging out with Jerry Garcia and Johnny Cash, and in some weird way, this set of improvs based on classical Indian music sounds like he's made it so you hear hippie grooves smacking into hillbilly/Celtic riffs. Not at all what you'd expect if someone told you to check out this Indian music/world set, interesting nu moves are stretching into all corners of the world making exciting new fusions that have... read more
Geof Bradfield - African Flowers
by Jordan Richardson, Canadian Audiophile
In early 2008, saxophonist and composer Geof Bradfield took on a month-long tour of Rwanda, Congo, Uganda, and Zimbabwe as part of pianist Ryan Cohan's quartet. The tour was arranged as a part of The Rhythm Road: American Music Abroad, a unique program co-sponsored by the U.S. State Department and Jazz at Lincoln Center.
Similar programs have taken place since the Cold War, with the U.S. government turning to the world of jazz to spread the... 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