Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Andrew Rathbun Large Ensemble - The Atwood Suites
by Marc Myers, Jazz Wax
Setting poetry to music is nothing new. Setting Margaret Atwood's poetry to music is a different matter. Most people probably aren't even aware that novelist Margaret Atwood wrote poetry. She has. Toronto saxophonist and composer Andrew Rathbun has taken her We Are Hard on Each Other and Two Islands: Excerpt From Circle/Mud Poem and set the prose to music on the two-CD set Atwood Suites (Origin). But this isn't ordinary music. First, it's richly... read more
Anthony Branker & Imagine - Songs My Mom Liked
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
The composer and director Anthony Brankar brings along an excellent cast for these fusion filled tracks that make up his 10th Origin record.
Fabian Almazan's swift keys open on "Praise", where the warm brass enters amid much flowing melody, and "Sketches Of Selim" follows with Linda May Han Oh's precise bass plucking that sets a mood of mystery and elegance.
Further along, "Land Of Milk & Honey" showcases Donny McCaslin's bright sax and... read more
Roxy Coss - Restless Idealism
by Bob Weinberg, JAZZIZ
Plaudits and plum assignments are nothing new to saxophonist Roxy Coss. The New York City-based musician, who graduated Magna Cum Laude from William Paterson University in 2008, has earned coveted space with the Mingus Big Band and The Diva Jazz Orchestra and was a member in good standing of trumpeter Jeremy Pelt's group. Fronting her own band, she held down a weekly residency at Smoke for a couple of years. None of this escaped the notice of... read more
Bobby Rozario - Healer
by George W Harris, Jazz Weekly
Guitarist/vocalist Bobby Rozario comes across like a musical metaphysician on this album of sonic spiritual themes. The music would be described as "world", but the message is "spirit" as Rozario seems to have imbibed the guitar style and passion of Carlos Santana and melded it with his own street preaching. He brings in a roster of vocalists to convey his message, including Carlton Jumel Smith, Keith Fluitt, John James with a rotating team of... read more
Dave Slonaker Big Band - Shifty Paradigms
by Scott Yanow, Los Angeles Jazz Scene
Arranger-composer Dave Slonaker has led his big band in Southern California for 15 years. The 16-17 piece orchestra is filled with major names who are not only impeccable section players but top-notch soloists. But while there is solo space on the eight selections on Shifty Paradigms for all but two of the musicians, it is Slonaker's arrangements that give this big band its own personality.
Dave Slonaker supplied all of the arrangements and... 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
Anthony Branker & Ascent - Spirit Songs
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
The inimitable composer and director Anthony Branker enlists some excellent musicians for this 9th album on the Origin label that is actually a reissue of his 2006 debut for Sons Of Sound Records.
The 7 minutes of "Chant For Peace Eternal" opens the listen with Jonny King's fluid piano and flowing sax from Ralph Bowen and Antonio Hart for the graceful jazz presence, and "Parris In April" follows with a dreamy demeanor that uses John... read more
Rodney Whitaker - All Too Soon: The Music of Duke Ellington
by Editor, Dusty Grooves
A very fresh take on the songs of Duke Ellington - presented here by bassist Rodney Whitaker, with a tight combo sound that resonates strongly with his other great records! The tunes are definitely Duke's, but the presentation is pure Whitaker - hip, soulful, and reworked with nicely contemporary elements - played by a strong lineup that features Michael Dease on trombone, Brian Lynch on trumpet, Diego Rivera on tenor, Richard Roe on... read more
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