Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Ray LeVier - Ray's Way
by C. Michael Bailey, All About Jazz
If drumming is the subatomic glue that holds a jazz performance together, then Ray Levier is the Einstein of jazz drumming. On his debut recording, Ray's Way, Levier provides a veritable masters class on the seamless and relative incorporation of drums into the melody of a song. Add to this that Idit Shner joins Levier in redefining the blues in jazz and Ray's Way becomes that much more provocative.
Levier bills himself as a freelance... read more
Benny Powell - Nextep
by George Fendel, Oregon Jazz Scene
Benny Powell can hand you a resume with the likes of Basie, Jones-Lewis, Heath, and Benny Carter to name a few. This time out, however, it's Benny's own band with TK Blue on reeds, Sayuri Goto, piano, Essiet Essiet, bass, Billy Hart, drums. The group begins with a New Orleans-like street march called "Free to Be Me." It seems to set the pace for the remaining nine originals by various band members. For the most part, there's a nice, laid-back,... read more
Rodney Whitaker - Mosaic: The Music of Gregg Hill
by Editor, JAZZIZ Magazine
To paraphrase iconic soul vocalist James Brown's shout-outs to his drummers, give the bassist some — if it's Rodney Whitaker. As is the case with rhythmic instruments, including drums, playing the upright double bass doesn't often result in celebrity. But the 57-year-old Detroit native has crafted a prolific 40-year recording career as a session musician and a leader, including on his latest release, Mosaic: The Music of Gregg Hill (Origin),... read more
Richard Sussman - Continuum
by George Fendel, Oregon Jazz Scene
When CDs contain mostly or exclusively original music, I look for one primary characteristic. If I can?t find it, the CD is usually not a prime candidate for review. It?s as simple as ? a well-defined melody. If that?s old-fashioned, so be it. But I lose my sense of direction when I can?t discern a melody as a foundation for the improvisation which follows. I know nothing of Richard Sussman other than he?s probably a New Yorker (judging from the... read more
Michael Waldrop - Native Son
by George W Harris, Jazz Weekly
Drummer Michael Waldrop explores deep and exciting grooves with percussionist Jose Rossy joining in with his team of Martin Gjakonovski/b (and cameo work with Chris Symer) and Vasil Hadzimanov/p for a collection of mostly originals. The grooves simmer on the jungle pulse of "Native Son", with Hadzimanov sparkling over the galloping joy of rhythm. Waldrop brings a soulful shuffle to the driving " El Vino" and a simmering sizzle to "Belgrade" with... read more
Dan McCarthy - City Abstract
by Dan Bilawsky, All About Jazz
4-STARS The concept of homecoming is inextricably linked to the music that Dan McCarthy presents on City Abstract. Recorded in May of 2019, shortly after he had returned to his native Toronto after fifteen years in New York, this date finds the vibraphonist bowing to two of his biggest influences: pianist Carla Bley and vibraphonist Gary Burton. Those lodestars provide solid inspiration and clear direction for McCarthy, who works his way... read more
Chris Walden Big Band & The St. John's Choir - Kurt Marti Suite
by Dick Crockett, Bop 'n DIck's 10 Picks
How can an orchestration based on the verse of Kurt Marti can be so majestic and powerful, especially when the lyrics are sung in German by the St Johns Choir, Hamburg? For someone who doesn't understand the language, there's something more universal here with voice and orchestration with Chris Walden and his arrangements. Walden draws upon his resources and a big band arranger, writer and leader to create this, the musical voice of Kurt Marti.... read more
Les DeMerle Sound 67 - Once in a Lifetime
by Georges Tonla Briquet, Jazz'halo (Belgium)
Young drummer who immediately scored successes from his teenage years, but whose debut
with his group was shelved for inexplicable reasons. That, in a nutshell, is the story behind this
unreleased recording. However, a number of big names contributed to this. Among them Randy
Brecker, Rosemary Clooney and the popular rock singer Genya Ravan (Goldie and The
Gingerbreads) at the time.
Ten songs that are all jukebox material. We hear a spicy... read more
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