Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Eric Jacobson - Heading Home
by Jack Bowers, All About Jazz
4-STARS There is a sensible piece of advice known to every baseball batter that has been taken to heart by Milwaukee-based trumpeter Eric Jacobson's concerning his hard-hitting quintet: come out swinging. Which is precisely what happens on Heading Home, Jacobson's second (or perhaps third) recording as leader of his own ensemble, whose opening number, "Survival," proves beyond a doubt that everyone in the lineup—all eyes focused on the... read more
Michael Waldrop Big Band - Time Within Itself
by Ric Bang, Jazz Scan
Percussionist Michael Waldrop plays both drums and mallet instruments (vibes and marimba). He has a PhD and currently is a professor of percussion at Eastern Washington University, where he teaches both jazz and classical courses.
He also directs a big band, and this is that ensemble's inaugural album.
Once upon a time - back in unenlightened times - drummers often were looked down upon. (Question: "How big is your band?" Answer: "Sixteen... read more
Paul Tynan - quARTet
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
Informed by punk, inspired by art, the trumpet ace has melded it all into a nifty whole in which he serves up post bop reflections on art pieces that are meaningful to him, and they are included in the album notes. Aside from the art aspect, Tynan remains a lyrical player that adds the grace to grace notes. With his hand picked crew properly in step with his lead, the result is some smokingly wonderful listening jazz that's hard to ignore. A... read more
Kobie Watkins - Involved
by Brian Gilmore, JazzTimes
Drummers as leaders often have a difficult time putting
their imprint on recordings. Chico Hamilton, the L.A. legend and
giant, is the model for today's drummers. Chicago's Kobie Watkins on his album, "Involved" takes the leadership idea seriously. He plays, composes, and has assembled a group of very talented players to speak to the masses. Most of all, like Hamilton, Watkins does not fade into the background. His imprint on this recording is... read more
Brent Jensen w/ Bill Anschell, Jeff Johnson, John Bishop - One More Mile
by Scott Albin, JazzTimes
For his fifth Origin CD, Idaho-based Brent Jensen parts ways with his alto sax to perform exclusively on the soprano, and proves to be just as proficient and engaging on the straight horn. With the inspired support of his fellow Origin recording artists from Seattle?the trio of pianist Bill Anschell, bassist Jeff Johnson and drummer (and label founder) John Bishop?the gifted Jensen impresses throughout a wide-ranging set of tunes.
The loping... read more
Human Spirit - Dialogue
by Ric Bang, Jazz Scan
The members of Human Spirit ? a core unit of the many jazz musicians who have made Seattle and the Pacific Northwest their home ? are trumpeter/composer/producer Thomas Marriott, saxophonist Mark Taylor and drummer Matt Jorgensen. Their combined resumes includes 14 albums as leaders and dozens more as sidemen. For this release, they added guests Orrin Evans (piano) and Essiet Essiet (bass). The resulting quintet delivers an album dubbed the... read more
Gabriel Espinosa - The Brazilian Project
by Thierry De Clemensat, Paris Move
Beyond the Title: Gabriel Espinosa's The Brazilian Project Reimagines Jazz as a Borderless Language
Don't let the title fool you, the Brazilian Project isn't really a Brazilian album, at least not in any obvious way. Sure, the arrangements borrow bits and pieces from Brazilian music, but this isn't some straightforward tribute. Even knowing the composer hails from Mexico doesn't help much with pinning down the style. At its... read more
Roxy Coss - Restless Idealism
by Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz
4-STARS Upcoming saxophonist Roxy Coss opens her splendid Origin Records debut, Restless Idealism with a traditional approach on her original tune, "Don't Cross the Coss." It's a happy and assertive sound, and when she takes her first solo, her and robust tone bring Coleman Hawkins comes to mind. Coss and her band, churning along on a well-lubricated drive train of a terrific rhythm section, know how to open show - feet are tapping... read more
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