Like Bill Evans? Looking for some nice piano? Keep moving...The Jim Norton Collective moves past the traditional and into a more avant garde base from which to examine the harmonic intent of Evans. While the liner notes may give one the impression this is a big band release, don't be fooled. At times there are large ensemble arrangements which the more subdued approach is sometimes the melodic road less traveled. Jim Norton has a small arsenal... read more
50 years in, Galper has done an enviable job of keeping jazz piano trio fresh, creative and insightful. Even when playing a chestnut, it's not about playing pretty for the people, it's about making them sit up and listen, and he does it without hitting you over the head. Successfully taking bop into the new century, Galper is on the money throughout with restless creativity that draws you in and keeps you there. Well done... read more
A while back, we met a couple that played jazz on cruise ships and it changed our opinion, moving our head away from the usual Sammy Joey jive ass bulls*** you all too often find in those situations. This cruise ship jazz crew kicks it off with a snazzy version of "Speak Low" that not only sends you off into a good time mood, it'll also change your opinion about who will be entertaining you in captive situations. Hell, even George Wein got... read more
5-STARS Saxophonist Michael Zilber has an unusual geographic history. He was born in Vancouver, Canada before moving to Boston as a teenager. He moved to New York and worked with Sonny Sitt, Dizzy Gillespie, Dave Liebman, Dave Douglas, Rachel Z and Narada Michael Walden among many. While In New York, he recorded two critically acclaimed albums, The Heretic and Stranger In Brooklyn as a sole band leader. But his career has been anchored... read more
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Found In Space: The Music of Gregg Hill, by Michael Dease and it's an interesting exploration of the music of composer, Gregg Hill. Opening with The Last Pop Tune, Bill Cunliffe plays the intro on piano quickly joined by Virginia Macdonald on clarinet, Matt White on trumpet, Katie Thiroux on bass and Colleen Clark on drums. Rudresh Mahanthappa on alto and Jason Hainsworth on tenor... read more
Record of the Week The idea to record an album in the USA with musicians recognized there is not something particularly original in the jazz world. However, few have enough courage and determination to make their dreams come true, and even fewer musicians manage to create a musically interesting album. Joachim Mencel, who not only invited excellent musicians to work with him, which in some cases is only dependent on having a sufficiently... read more
Los Angeles-based guitarist Tom Rizzo originally released Imaginary Numbers as a self-produced offering from his website, with the title Imaginary Numbers?Guitar Plus Eight. The disc has, fortunately, been picked up by Origin Arts, joining several other notable guitarists at the label including Corey Christiansen, Larry Koonse, Mimi Fox and John Stowell. Origin Art continues to accumulate first rate guitar talent in their virtual West coast... read more
Corey Christiansen makes his guitar sounds range from folksy countrified to post bop fusion on this collection of mostly originals. A team of Jeremy Allen/b, Matt Jorgensen/dr, Zach Lapidus/key and Michael Spiro/perc go from assertive fusion grooves with rapid note runs as on "Black-Eyed Susan" and the sleekly percussive "Palouse" to a spacious and Nashville twanged "Turtle Dove." A stripped down trip without keys and percussion have the leader... 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