Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Josh Nelson - The Sky Remains
by Keizo Takada, Music Pen Club (Japan)
Josh Nelson, a Jazz pianist plays an active role in Los Angeles, was born in 1978. When he was 19 years old, he released his first album "First Stories" and has released many albums that mainly feature his originals. He toured various countries as a pianist for Natalie Cole for 6 years. He has been a music director for Sara Gazarek over 10 years, toured in Japan with her, and played together in her latest album "Dream in Blue".He has also... read more
Kevin Deitz - Skylines
by Jerome Wilson, Cadence
On Skylines bassist Kevin Deitz leads a number of small combos that alternate between straight ahead Jazz and more rhythmic Latin numbers. On the straight side Deitz compositions like "Uncle Ray" and "Sunny Side Up" are slinky Bop heads that let soloists like Paul Mazzio, Renato Caranto, and Tony Pacini shine. Mazzio's and Caranto's slow-swinging two horn attack on " Sunny Side Up" is a particular highlight and "New Beginnings" and "Romance... read more
Metropolitan Jazz Octet - The Bowie Project
by Brice Boorman, Chalked Up Reviews
In the vast world of jazz, where traditional sounds seamlessly meld with both classic and modern influences, the Metropolitan Jazz Octet (MJO), alongside vocalist Paul Marinaro, has redefined genre boundaries with their ambitious Origin Records endeavor, The Bowie Project. This album stands out for its excellence in various facets of music production, singing, and performance.
Take, for instance, MJO's rendition of David Bowie's "Changes,"... read more
Steve Million - What I Meant to Say
by Bill Brownlee, Plastic Sax
Musicians have long been required to play with tactful quietude if they intend to find steady work in Kansas City's jazz venues. Three outstanding musicians who performed together in Kansas City in the late 1970s and early 1980s subtly subvert the low-key approach on an instructive new album.
Joined by bassist John Sims, pianist Steve Million, guitarist Steve Cardenas and drummer Ron Vincent play straight-ahead jazz with exacting brilliance... read more
Brent Jensen - Trios
by Ric Bang, The Davis Enterprise
This album uses two unusual trio instrumentations.
Three of the tracks feature alto sax, guitar and acoustic bass; the remaining cuts feature alto sax, acoustic bass and drums. Have a listen before you scoff ... they really work!
Brent Jensen has played alto sax with some of the country's standout jazz groups, including those fronted by Gene Harris, Bobby Shew, Bill Watrous and Joe La Barbara. Jensen achieves a sax tone that falls... read more
John Stowell / Dave Glenn & The Hawčaptak Quartet - Violin Memory
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
John Stowell brings his nylon string guitar and fretless baritone guitar to Dave Glenn's trombone on this highly imaginative listen, where strings occasionally enter the feel good jazz tunes.
The album starts with the warm guitar and soulful brass of "Social Butterfly", where the pair adds much allure to the soothing climate, and "Remembering Laurie Frink" follows with Stowell's guitar acrobatics complementing Glenn's expressive... read more
Matt Otto - Umbra
by Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz
This music—nine Matt Otto originals—has the feeling of shadowy sounds. Shapes without defined borders emerge. On the opener, "Little Things," the core trio—the leader plus bassist Jeff Harshbarger and drummer John Kizilarmut—are joined by Fender Rhodes player Matt Villinger and guitarist Alex Frank. The electronic resonance gives the sound an alluring and shadowy blur, as does the guest guitarist.
Saxophonist Matt Otto boasts a large... read more
Nancy Kelly - Be Cool
by Scott Yanow, L.A. Jazz Scene
Nancy Kelly, who recorded her debut album in 1987, recently released her seventh recording, Be Cool. She has a strong and appealing voice, swings even when sticking close to the lyrics of a song, and is not afraid to stretch herself.
Be Cool is Nancy Kelly's second recording with an organist and her first with William Gorman whose powerful and at time dominant playing is a throwback to Wild Bill Davis along with the 1960s giants... read more
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