Much time has passed since a tasty, swinging, straight-ahead jazz quartet has come my way; this release by Chicago-based saxophonist Geof Bradfield fills the bill.
Originally from Texas, where he began his schooling, Bradfield moved to Chicago and entered DePaul University. He then went on to Los Angeles, where he received a master's degree from CalArts; moved to, and worked in New York area for three years; then returned to Chicago for a short... read more
Carlos Vega's Art of the Messenger might very well end up being a contender for one of my favorite albums of the year. And when you dissect the pieces, it's easy to understand why. First, start off with a who's who of young(ish) Jazz players in Chicago - Vega plays tenor sax and writes the songs. Victor Garcia is the trumpet player, Stu Mindeman is on piano, Josh Ramos is on bass and Xavier Breaker is playing the drums. Second, write some... read more
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
Piet Verbist (bs) studied at the Conservatory of Brussels, where he was taught by, among others Hein van de Geyn and Dave Holland. He played in many groups such as the Ben Sluijs Quartet, Trio Ancesthree, Jan de Haas Quintet eva But he is best known as the bassist of the Jef Neve Trio, his first CD came out on Verbist's label contour. But it is with his own group Zygomatik that he completely lost his egg can we hear an energetic mix of jazz,... read more
Antigonish-based trumpeter Paul Tynan's latest album wastes no time in getting down to hard-swinging business.
After a few pickup bars, Tynan's composition More Than Just A Single Road treats listeners to authoritative post-bop that recalls the early '80s music of Wynton Marsalis thanks to some of its harmonic and structural details. Tynan's lead-off solo highlights his own muscular yet lyrical approach to improvising, while pianist Dan... read more
EDITOR'S PICK
It appears this is the year of the revitalization of the B3 and the vibes. Tom has enlisted the help of pianist Don Grusin and drummer John Bishop on a couple of tracks for this lively and spirited recording. If you have been looking for a recording that leans towards a younger audience - without losing your older one - you've found... read more
Pianist Florian Hoefner's latest release Luminosity, which was released last week, is partly an ode to St. John's, Newfoundland. Although the native of Germany says that he was only "subconsciously" inspired by his new place of residence, the album's dramatic melodies and rolling grooves bring images of the area's stunning landscapes to mind right from the start.
Like many great jazz composers, Hoefner wrote the record's music with his band... read more
Four jazzbos became good friends in Kansas City in the 70s before they drifted away on the sands of time. But it didn't make their friendship drift away as 2019 brought them back together to kick it out as a crew one more time. Deceptively deeper than hotel lobby music, these cats know what to do to power a piano quartet to great heights by breaking a minimum of sweat. Simply a tasty workout that's on the money throughout and always hitting... 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