Beautiful things happen when the heart is fully invested in everything you do, and one of the best examples I can think of is that which we see happen in music and in Jazz time and again. A publicist I know out of Israel sent me an email one day about this female guitarist whom I had never heard of, asked me if I wanted for her to send me the CD, and I said yes; the rest pretty much happened without rhyme or reason, which is how anybody should... read more
Sonando is known for their interesting blend of Afro-Cuban Music with Modern Jazz. Their third release Tres exemplifies this blend completely. If hard hitting and diversified percussion is what you fancy in Latin music, then Sonando's Tres is for you.
Why have a simple drum set when you can have an assortment of congas, bongos, timbales, and other various auxiliary percussion instruments to add more layers to the music. Sonando does this... read more
For most of his life, Jordan VanHemert has been on a quest of growth and mastery as a saxophonist, composer and musician. But equally important have been his efforts to contextualize some of the difficulties of his life experiences within the deeper themes of his DNA, discovering in the process resilience, optimism and joy. Jordan's music is meant to convey empathy and solidarity to others who have also faced challenges in their lives. This... read more
Singer Karrin Allyson has sung all sorts of jazz, and this time around she has turned her attention to Brazilian jazz music. For this recent excursion she has enlisted the perfect Brazilian rhythm section. Holding down the pulse are drummer Rafael Barata and bassist Harvey S. While pianist Vitor Goncalves and guitarist Yotam Silberstein provide the floating harmony over Allyson's gliding vocals. Barata has become the first call drummer for... read more
The newest release from Jordan VanHemert not only showcases how technically gifted he is on the saxophone but also showcases the depth of his personal life. He was adopted from South Korea and grew up in the US and thinks of music as a healing power, a joy, and an importance of being connected with one another. He captured these in this album. You can say this album is the most introspective record he has ever made. He has a powerful band that... read more
Veteran trio Scenes have performed together for 15 years and the melding of their individual and trio play is wonderful. Everyone has a voice and they blend together beautifully. This is their fifth release. The players are John Stowell (guitar), Jeff Johnson (bass) and John Bishop (drums). Stowell composed five songs and Johnson two and the covers are Miles Davis' "Solar", Tommy O'Donnell's "Psalm" and Schwartz and Dietz' "You And The Night And... read more
On Urban Nomad, Chicago saxophonist Geof Bradfield and his powerhouse quartet perform with tremendous spirit, maintaining a momentum that is vibrant and infectious. Bradfield's inventive, yet tightly-focused tenor and soprano playing is propelled by pianist Ron Perrillo, drummer George Fludas and bassist Clark Sommers, soaring through a mostly original set of charged-up progressive jazz.
Bradfield's compositions are full of shifting time... read more
R|E|D|S is a quartet made up of an American expatriate and three Danes: baritone saxophonist Ed Epstein, guitarist Bjarne Roupe, bassist Goran Schelin and drummer Dennis Drud. Epstein and Roupe are close friends, and the saxophonist wanted a vehicle in which to collaborate with the guitarist. With this exegesis, the quartet was born.
The baritone saxophone makes for a challenging combo leader, in much the same way a football defensive back... 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