Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Chad McCullough - Dark Wood, Dark Water
by Kurt Zemaitaitis, International Trumpet Guild, January 2011
Dark Wood, Dark Water is the first release for Seattle-based trumpet/composer Chad McCulough. The liner notes contain brief descriptionsw of all the compositions, seven of which are penned by McCullough. His sound is sweet and mellow, and he performs his flowing improvisations in a neat linear fashion making his more complex ideas sound easy and simple. Most of the selections for this talented sextet have a laid-back feel that has touches... read more
Chad McCullough & Bram Weijters - Abstract Quantities
by George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly
Warm-toned Chad McCullough / tp and evocative Bram Waijters / p-keys lead a subtle quartet with Piet Verbist / b and John Bishop / dr through a collection of quiet and lyrical originals. There's a bit of agitation and drive on material like "Glorious Traffic Jam," but for the most part you get sophisticated melodies gently laid out as on "Mr. Rubato," "Winter's Lament" and "Billions." The team is simpatico, and lets the candles burn all the way... read more
Jordan VanHemert - Survival of the Fittest
by Fred Bouchard, The New York City Jazz Record
The laconic Japanese adage "Fall seven times, stand up eight" underpins a subtext behind the title of Jordan VanHemert's fifth leader date, Survival of the Fittest. A hearty, adept, good-humored tenor saxophonist, the 30ish Korean-born Michigander here re-assembles, with trombonist-producer Michael Dease, the sextet of their slightly elder peers that, in last year's Deep In The Soil (Topic), first examined the resilience, self-reliance and... read more
Scenes - Rinnova
by Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
The trio Scenes, consisting of guitarist John Stowell, bassist Jeff Johnson, and drummer John Bishop, had been working together for nearly a decade by the time of their second recording session. Johnson and Bishop are very familiar from working with one another in pianist Hal Galper's trio as well, while Stowell is a refreshing change from guitarists who hog the spotlight with busy solos, opting instead to make ample use of space. Johnson... read more
Ben Patterson Jazz Orchestra - Groove Junkies
by George W Harris, Jazz Weekly
Trombonist Ben Patterson leads a beefy jazz orchestra through a collection of hard hitting charts that make you think what Weather Report or Herbie Hancock's Headhunters would sound in a big band setting. Paul Henry has a dancing bass through the punchy "Cheese Hat" while altoist Antonia Orta and the leader slam around a Mwandishi'd "Interesting Times". Something akin to a TV soundtrack blasts the airwaves with tenor saxist Tedd Baker and Chris... read more
Marcos Varela - San Ygnacio
by Lance Liddle, BeBop Spoken Here (UK)
One of the many highlights of last year's GIJF was the session by "The Cookers". A session that featured high on many of our 'Gig of the Year' listings and justifiably so. When I noted that two of those gig-scarred veterans, Hart and Cables, were on this album I shuffled it to the top of the pile without apology! Hart's drumming is everything we've come to expect of a man whose CV includes just about every jazzer of consequence. Cables?... read more
Benjamin Boone | Philip Levine - The Poetry of Jazz
by George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly
Poetry is delivered in a variety of bohemian settings as saxist Benjamin Boone teams up with a rotating rhythm team as well as guests on this clever and Beat Generation session of the 21st Century. Craig Von Berg contributes Vince Guaraldi-styled piano for "Making Light of It" while cool bop tones are formed for Levine on "Gin." Chris Potter brings his warm tenor for some bop flavored narration on the sleek "The Unknowable" with Branford... read more
Ben Thomas Tango Project - Eternal Aporia
by Georges Tonla Briquet, Jazz'halo (Belgium)
Multi-instrumentalist Ben Thomas in turn ventures into the "tango nuevo" and this only with his own compositions.
Jazz and tango or also the "tango nuevo" without a composition by Piazzolla on the set list? Ben Thomas does it on this 'Eternal Aporia'. It's a step-by-step story. He first made a name for himself as a vibraphonist and composer before being bitten by the dance bug and finally finding his way into the world of the bandoneon. He... 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