Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
George Colligan & Theoretical Planets - Risky Notion
by Dave Rogers, WTJU - Richmond
Multi-instrumentalist Colligan pulled this current group together by recruiting two of his students at Portland State (Nicole Glover, tenor & soprano sax and Jon Lakey, bass) and other locals Joe Manis (tenor & alto sax and Tony Glausi, trumpet). Though most widely known as a pianist, Colligan is the drummer on this release - his first as a leader as a drummer. The saxes, often playing in harmony, literally fill the sonic space on most of these... read more
Gregg Keplinger / Reuben Radding / Daniel Carter - Language
by Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
Alto saxophonist Daniel Carter is an avant-gardist who can also play thoughtfully and with logical development. On Language, he performs five group originals with bassist Reuben Radding and drummer Gregg Keplinger that are mostly free improvisations. The music starts at its most intense with "Speak Glow," evolves from being introspective to fiery on the nearly 20-minute title cut, is passionate on "Aphasia," and finds the group playing a... read more
Gregg Keplinger and Rick Mandyck - Tribute
by James D. Armstrong, Jr., JazzNow
Tribute is an astonishingly beautiful duo session by Rick Mandyck and Gregg Keplinger, replete with musical gestures which derive their inspiration in part from the musical forms pioneered by John Coltrane. While this music at times may evoke comparisons with the extended musical dialogues between Coltrane and percussionist Elvin Jones, the form and content here is in fact original, and anything but predictable. With repeated listening, the... read more
Jon Alberts / Jeff Johnson / Tad Britton - Apothecary
by Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
One of the greatest challenges that jazz musicians face is seeking fresh approaches to well-known songs. Fortunately, pianist Jon Alberts has performed with his bandmates for the past two decades and they make familiar music sound new. Bassist Jeff Johnson and drummer Tad Britton make the most of the subtle take of "On Green Dolphin Street," in which Johnson's accompaniment and solo lines resist predictable paths and Britton's stripped-down drum... read more
Scenes - ...But Not Heard
by Dave Sumner, emusic
Scenes, a trio of guitarist John Stowell, bassist Jeff Johnson, and drummer John Bishop, typically plays straight-ahead modern jazz, though Stowell has a peculiar form of voicing in a guitar trio setting that imbues the music with a spectral presence, as if he isn't stating a melody so much as suggesting that its there. That tends to make for a cerebral experience that balances well with the trio's inherent warmth. Hans Teuber guests on sax... read more
The Spin Quartet - In Circles
by George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly
The post bop quartet of Chad McCullough/tp-fh, Geof Bradfield/sax, Clark Sommers/b and Kobie Watkins/dr do some impressive work with clever and sophisticate originals. Without a piano as a safety net, the two horns weave in and out of unison like a high wire act, almost but never quite falling over as Sommers keeps things together on "Little Marionette" and "Simple Song." A hint of "All Blues" supplies the base for a yearning... read more
Oscar Hernández & Alma Libre - The Art of Latin Jazz
by Chip Boaz, Latin Jazz Corner
ALBUM OF THE WEEK We spend a lot of time talking about the minutiae of music making, digging into theory, history, and the way that the sounds make us feel; far too often, we leave the idea of artistry out of our conversations. The exclusion of this topic is a bit ironic, as artistry is probably the most important piece of the puzzle. The decisions that a musician makes about their product, the time they spend refining their craft, and... read more
Rodney Whitaker - Mosaic: The Music of Gregg Hill
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
The extraordinary bassist Rodney Whitaker is in some fine company here, where 10 songs unfold via this 4th collaboration between Whitaker and Gregg Hill.
The rich and dynamic title track opens with Rick Roe's well timed keys and Terell Stafford's bright trumpet that suits Whitaker's bouncy bass lines, and "Unknown Ballad" follows with Dana Hall's agile drumming and Rockelle Whitaker's soulful pipes adding much to the graceful... read more
Looking for a specific review?
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.
Search Reviews:
Recently Added Reviews:
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