Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Alon Farber Hagiga - Dreams I Dream
by Kira Grunenberg, DownBeat
It's not all that unusual to sustain a jazz group for 20 or more years; longevity and legacy are practically hallmarks of the genre's history. Still, that doesn't mean it's easy to do. However, bandleader and Hagiga founding member Alon Farber has remained up to the challenge, and with Dreams I Dream, the composer and saxophonist has put together a record worthy of celebration, the Hebrew meaning behind his ensemble's name.
The dream-based... read more
Piet Verbist - Zygomatik
by Tom Beetz, Jazzflits- Netherlands
*translated from Dutch
The zygomaticus major is the large zygomatic muscle that runs to the mouth corners making it possible to smile. It is also the title of the last song on 'Zygomatik,' the newest CD from bass player Piet Verbist. Of laughter is indeed no question when listening to this, there is this too seriously. Verbist is one of the leading figures of the Belgian jazz scene, which might be a lot smaller than the Dutch scene... read more
Laurie Antonioli - The Constant Passage of time
by C. Michael Bailey, All About Jazz
West coast vocalist and teacher Laurie Antonioli has had a storied jazz career (which she has mentioned committing to the page one day). Presently, she is enjoying a calm period of determined evolution and realization that has resulted in her most recent recordings: American Dreams (Intrinsic Music, 2010), Songs Of Shadow, Songs Of Light: The Music Of Joni Mitchell (Origin Records, 2014) and Varuna (Origin Records, 2015). Antonioli extends her... read more
Shawn Purcell - Oblivity
by Editor, Modern Drummer
Oblivity (both the song and the entire record) comes out of the gate screaming, saxophonist Walt Weiskopf and pianist Chris Ziemba set the tone, and drummer Steve Fidyk is manning the ship at every twist and turn. By the time Purcell's guitar enters the mood has been set, and Purcell takes it into fifth gear, while Fidyk's solo over a vamp ups the ante. Purcell's guitar tone is different on "Lazy Day Reverie," "Oblivity," it walks a fine line... read more
Anthony Branker - Beauty Within
by Editor, Drumhead Magazine
The music of composer Anthony Branker stands firmly on jazz traditions while simultaneously pushing the boundaries in bold and beautiful new directions. For his seventh release for Origin Records, Branker features brilliant new works as performed by longtime collaborator-saxophonist Ralph Bowen, guitarist Pete McCann, pianist Fabian Almazan, bassist Linda Oh, and drummer Rudy Royston. Branker's new ensemble, Imagine, takes his expansive... read more
Dan Dean - Songs Without Words
by Raul da Gama, JazzdaGama
After years of playing and producing music for musicians such as vibraphonist Tom Collier, the virtuoso bassist - and it turns out one with rather operatic intentions - and master of the art of whistling as well Dan Dean steps out and into his own studio to record quite magical versions of chorales, arias and concertos without nothing but his velvet tenor, his trusted bass and the art of whistling - all on the disc entitled Songs without... read more
Giacomo Gates - Centerpiece
by Owen McNally, Hartford Courant
Giacomo Gates, jazz troubadour, worldly wise and grand master of scat and Vocalese, is one of the jazz world's finest living exemplars of true grit.
At best, the male jazz vocalist is an endangered species, particularly now when the terrific female singers dominate the slim marketplace for jazz.
As shown by the dozen bright tracks on this disc, nothing... not even the gross injustice of never getting his due� can dim the exuberance, skill... read more
Kelly Harland - Long Ago And Far Away - Kelly Harland Sings Jerome Kern
by Roger Crane, LA Jazz Scene
Another exploration of Jerome Kern is always welcome. Kern was the model and inspiration for Irving Berlin, Richard Rodgers and all the masters who followed. Seattle-based vocalist Kelly Harland could not have chosen a richer source of quality songs. She also could not have chosen a better duo to accompany her. The always tasteful Bill Mays is at the piano and her husband, Chuck Deardorf is the bassist. The most prominent aspect of Kern's music... read more
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