After making a stir as an actress in Los Angeles, Sarah Partridge became a successful jazz singer and moved to the East Coast where in the 1990s she often performed with Doc Cheatham. I Never Thought I'd Be Here finds her performing ten of her songs, composing all of the words and music except for the music of "Around The Corner" which was penned by pianist Allen Farnham. While her lyrics tell picturesque and sometimes dramatic stories,... read more
Exciting and enticing moments from Iberia and beyond take place on this album led by bassist Piet Verbist along with pianist Milan Verbist, saxist Tom Van Dyck, drummer Juan Sainz, Carlos Cortes on flamenco guitar and percussion and the inclusion of Carmelo Muriel playing the traditional flutelike bansuriney. The ideas range from a modal and Coltranish "Bull" featuring some searing soprano to Andalusian exoticism with glorious alto sax and flute... read more
B3 player Ben Patterson keeps the keys warm and supple here, forming a nifty trio with Peter Bernstein/g and George Fludas/dr. He has a soft touch on the keys, preferring to let the speakers hum instead of cry, and it works well on this mix of originals and soulful covers. The team percolates on Ray Bryant's "Cubano Chant" and shows its blues hues on the rarely explored read of Sonny Rollins' "Decision." Bernstein is his usual adroit self on the... read more
The LaBarbera brothers are a distinguished trio. Saxophonist Pat (Elvin Jones, Buddy Rich) is a mentor to a generation of Canadian saxophonists. Drummer Joe recorded with Bill Evans, Tony Bennett and Kenny Wheeler as well as Charlottesville's Stephanie Nakasian. John LaBarbera, trumpeter and arranger wrote for Buddy Rich for years and is the leader for this date. Nicholas F Mondello wrote on AllAboutJazz, "Wes Montgomery's Grooveyard... read more
Originally a 2008 radio concert, when Galper was entering the final phase of his long career that's still in motion, he unleashed his piano into a kind of free jazz where he was improvising on composed music as the urge struck him in each different moment. Proceeding on a full blown busman's holiday of letting the whims blow where they will, it's just a gasser to hear a geezer move way beyond the boundaries without a care in the world. Purely... read more
Altoist Alex Graham's The Good Life is easy-going, straightahead post-Coltrane hard bop executed with skill by all involved. Although released in late 2005, it was recorded less than three years after Graham's 1995 debut, Countdown. And it, too, includes Rick Roe on piano. This time, however the instrumentation is a basic quartet, and the bassist and drummer are the veterans Rodney Whitaker and Joe Strasser.
While the nicely varied program... read more
This tasty trio is another part of the impressive jazz scene that has developed in the Pacific Northwest during the past several years.
Marc Seales is the pianist, Jeff Johnson plays bass and Tad Britton - identified as the leader - handles the drums. Seales and Johnson have been key artists on dozens of albums that have been released from this region during the past few years, and Britton is a perfect drummer for this kind of group.
Seales,... read more
RINGER OF THE WEEK Tenor saxist and composer Zem Audo puts together a highly exciting and textured album of originals. He boasts of a rich, strong and flavorful tone, delivering rich arias with pianist Benito Gonzales, all star bassist Ben Williams and drummer John Davis on "Bamijo" and caresses the melody with the kinetic team on "Muso." The brilliant decision on this album which makes it stand out is the inclusion of guitarist Mike Stern,... read more
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.
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