Geoff Stradling is a man of many tastes. His Origin release gives his audience the chance to take a musical journey with him. The pristine sound that Stradling presents on the CD is an added bonus with Geoff himself both producing and engineering his maiden effort for the label. Recorded in February and August 2006, at Stradman Music (Stradling's own studio?), Stradling has made an effort to explore a myriad of jazz styles, which he describes as... read more
Michael Dease is joined by an entirely new cast on The Other Side, performing ten selections composed by Gregg Hill. The musicians are excellent with veteran pianist Geoff Keezer sharing the keyboard duties with Luther Allison and three up-and-coming players being heard from: clarinetist Virginia MacDonald, bassist Liany Mateo, and drummer Colleen Clark. Trombonist Joel Perez is on two selections on which Dease switches to baritone sax, and... read more
Drummer Peter Erskine (Weather Report) has some terrific timing, recording a set of beautiful compositions by Leonard Bernstein that coincides with the film Maestro. Bernstein sets have been imbedded in jazz since Manny Albam (1957) with highlights including Andre Previn (1959), Cal Trader (1960), Dave Brubeck (1960), Stan Kenton (1961), Oscar Peterson (1962), Dave Liebman (1990), Richie Cole (1996), Bill Charlap (2003), Joe Policastro (2013),... read more
Timeless post bop is delivered by the quartet of Rick Mandyk/ts, John Stowell/g, Jeff Johnson/b and John Bishop/dr on this swinging live set at the Town Hall in Seattle Washington. The entire band sounds like they're both inspired and rejuvenated by the end of the COVID lockdown, with everyone sounding celebratory in delivery.
Mandyk's tenor smokes like a Cohiba, breathy on the mellow "Tilbury Hill", fluffy over Bishop's deft brushes for... read more
****
The new CD, Universal Language by trumpeter Brian Chin, makes a welcome addition to the classical trumpet repertory. Mr, Chin, a symphony professional in the Seattle area is clearly a gifted musician with a nice rounded tone, excellent technique and a commitment to new literature. In fact, the program here is the real surprise and a prime reason to check this out! "Poesia" by Robert Kechley is very pretty, rather impressionistic but... read more
Playing bandoneon as well as vibes and percussion, Ben Thomas takes the ideas of Astor Piazzolla to the next level with a mix of sophistication and warmth on this album of originals. Teamed with Eric Likkel/cl, Ste4ve Schermer/b, Laura Coronel-Elizabeth Phelps/vi and Gabe Hall-Rodrigues/p Thomas puts the "nuovo" in "Tango Nuovo" with the fingers prancing on the dramatic "The Second Brick" and creating eerie long shadows on the visceral "Valley... read more
Instrumentalist/composer Michael Zilber is better known by fellow musicians than by jazz fans. Born in Vancouver, B.C., he moved to Boston in his late teens, then to New York City about five years later. It didn't take long for his talents to be recognized by artists who frequented that area. Zilber performed or recorded with giants such as Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Stitt, the Brecker brothers and Dave Liebman.
Zilber's second album as a... read more
Restless Idealism (Origin 82705) is the title and theme of the second album by saxophonist Roxy Coss. It comes from something that Hunter S. Thompson once said, "It was the tension between...two poles - a restless idealism on the one hand and a sense of impending doom on the other - that kept me going." It is that notion that gives such impetus and, dare I say, fearlessness to the music that Roxy Coss composes and performs.
She gained a name... 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