Origin Records Reviews

Anne Drummond - Revolving
by Ric Bang, Jazz Scan

Seattle-born Anne Drummond's first instrument wasn't a flute. It was a recorder: a first for many children because of the relative ease with which simple melodies can be played. Introduced in medieval times, the instrument remains quite popular today. As often is the case, the piano followed; that was her primary instrument when she entered New York's Manhattan School of Music at age 18. She also had replaced the recorder with a flute by that... read more

New Stories - Speakin Out
by Jack Bowers, All About Jazz

4-STARS New Stories is a seasoned piano trio (and a very good one) rendered even more persuasive on Speakin' Out by the singular presence (on five of nine tracks) of renowned saxophone maestro Ernie Watts. The trio itself consists of pianist Marc Seales, bassist Doug Miller and drummer (and Origin Records founder) John Bishop. The wide-selling album, a centerpiece of Origin's catalog since its initial release in 2000, when New Stories... read more

Randy Halberstadt - Open Heart
by Paul Rauch, All About Jazz

4-STARS Seattle based pianist Randy Halberstadt has been a major figure on the jazz scene in the Pacific Northwest for several decades, applying his talents as a pianist, composer, educator, and author. He has four previous releases as a leader, most recently with Flash Point (Origin, 2010). So yes, it has been some time since we last heard from the multidimensional pianist.

In the meantime, Halberstadt has garnered a reputation as... read more

Roberta Brenza - It's My Turn to Color Now
by Paul Abella, WDCB, Chicago

A vocalist who grew up near Chicago, and now finds herself back here again, Roberta Brenza recently released her debut album on Origin Records, It's My Turn to Color Now. She's joined by Sheila Jordan (obviously a big influence) and a band assembled by Matt Wilson for a batch of originals like the charming title track and standards (she does a wonderful job on "Bye Bye Blackbird"). If this first album is an indication of what we can expect in... read more

Hood Smoke - Laid Up In Ordinary
by Tim Seisser, Bass Musician Magazine

Born in Milwaukee, Bryan started playing bass at the age of twelve. Now in his tenth year based in Chicago, Bryan can be heard playing everything from modern jazz to authentic Latin to funk-dripped soul. Bryan?s versatile bass skills and compositions have brought him national recognition and solidified his reputation as one of music?s brightest stars.

Tim: So tell the readers a bit about your background in music and how you came to play... read more

Benjamin Boone - The Poets Are Gathering
by Georges Tonla Briquet, Jazz'halo (Belgium)

Jazz as a vector for a reflection of injustice and impotence in our current society, it still exists. Saxophonist, composer and arranger Benjamin Boone proves it in the company of a series of poets and guest musicians including Kenny Werner, Ari Hoenig, Donald Brown and Ben Monder. Unfortunately, there is no shortage of current topics.

Benjamin Boone is not new to works in which jazz and poetry complement each other. For 'The Poetry Of Jazz'... read more

Brad Goode Quintet Feat. Ernie Watts - Live Your Dream: Live at North Street Cabaret
by Thierry De Clemensat, Paris Move

Brad Goode and Ernie Watts deliver a stunning live jazz performance filled with daring improvisation, emotional intensity and extraordinary musicianship, creating one of the most compelling contemporary jazz recordings in recent years.

5-STARS Brad Goode and Ernie Watts Turn Live Jazz Into Pure Electricity

There was this album cover in muted shades of blue and gray that had been staring back at me for weeks. I kept leaving... read more

Carlos Vega - Bird's Up
by Dave Rogers, WTJU, Richmond

This is the second release by educator and tenor and soprano sax player Carlos Vega. He has a smooth and limber style on the sax and in addition to being a music professor at Florida A&M, he performs with the Chicago Afro Latin Jazz Ensemble. He returned to the windy city to make this second disc with his Chicago connections: Victor Garcia (trumpet, flugelhorn); Stu Mindeman (piano, Rhodes); Josh Ramos (bass) and Xavier Breaker (drums). That... read more

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