Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Shawn Purcell - 180
by Jack Bowers, All About Jazz
Guitarist Shawn Purcell's latest CD, 180, is all about swinging; Purcell's trio, Pat Bianchi on Hammond B3 organ, Jason Tiemann on drums, nestles squarely into the groove on the double-quick opener, "Cat and Mouse," which sets an upbeat tone for the album as a whole.
The rhythm seldom flags on Purcell's sunny compositions (he wrote all but one of the album's eleven numbers). An exception to the rhythmic rule is the lone standard, Johnny... read more
Anthony Branker & Ascent - Spirit Songs
by George Harris, Jazz Weekly
Composer and musical director Anthony Branker mixes some rich harmonies with a rhythm team led by Ralph Peterson/jr/dr, John Benitez/b and Jonny King/p along with a front line of Clifford Adams, Jr/tb and the saxes of Ralph Bowen/ts-ss and Antonio Hart/as-ss. He's released other albums with bands named Imagine and Wordplay; each album is consistent in its rich harmonies, original concepts and successful mix of head and heart.
The blending of... read more
Richard Cole - Shade
by Adam Greenberg, All Music Guide
Shade is an outstanding album of contemporary jazz from (mostly) tenor saxman Richard Cole. This album opens with a bang and a slightly larger ensemble in something of a tribute to Joe Henderson. Cole, as well as trumpeters Thomas Marriott and Randy Brecker, take some outstanding solos here. In pianist Bill Anschell's composition "Moxy," the band slims down to a quartet and combines a frenetic piano with Monk-inspired horns. A Fender Rhodes is... read more
Richard Sussman - Continuum
by Doug Simpson, Audiophile Audition
Richard Sussman is not a well-known jazz musician, but perhaps that is because he has issued only three albums as a leader since his 1978 debut, Free Fall. The others include his 2010 release, Live at Sweet Rhythm, and this year's Continuum. Sussman may not be a household name, but he has had important roles in the jazz community as a composer (he won the ASCAP Jazz Commission for Established Composer in 2008), arranger... read more
Brent Jensen with David Sills - Stay Cool
by Steve Sando, Mr. Lucky
The Brent Jensen/David Sills Quartet quite cleverly revives the West Coast Jazz sound on the disc Stay Cool (Origin Records 82403). Honestly, we were expecting next to nothing and then found ourselves running over to the stereo to turn up the volume once the recording got started. West Coast Jazz, in certain circles, has the reputation for being the 1950s equivalent to white rap. "Certain circles" continue to take all the joy out of jazz. We'll... read more
Alex Graham - Brand New
by Ted Panken, Downbeat, May 2009
Big-sound alto saxophonist Alex Graham convenes pianist David Hazeltine, trombonist Steve Davis and trumpeter Jim Rotondi from One For All, and synchronous bass-drums tandem Rodney Whitaker and Carl Allen on Brand New ***. It's a rollicking, well crafted session comprised of "new standards" (Hazeltine's charts on "You Make Me Feel Brand New" and "For The Love Of You"), two grooving originals and three songbook charts by Graham. A careful,... read more
John Moulder - The Eleventh Hour
by Dave Sumner, All About Jazz
Whereas many of Chicago's jazz and blues guitar icons seem to channel the dark alleys and the bar sign neon of the city through their instruments, John Moulder's sound is more akin to a synthesis of the lakefront -- a beauty and serenity that is just as likely to show a face of fury and cold precision. For some time now, Moulder has quietly been developing his sound into something quite unique. The Eleventh Hour provides the opportunity to hear... read more
Lorin Cohen - Home
by Rotcod Zzaj, Improvijazzation Nation
Lorin's bass work is absolutely astounding on his debut performance as a leader! All-original compositions certainly contribute to the high-energy performances on all eight songs, but the BLUF is that this is just one oh-so-tight band that will catch your ears & hold them (for a long, LONG time to come)! Songs like the 5:32 opener, "Crossings", are a perfect example of the talent you'll be exposed to on this great album. The piano/bass intro... read more
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