Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Brent Jensen - Trios
by Adam Greenburg, All Music Guide
What can be done with a basic jazz trio? Brent Jensen appears to be setting out specifically to answer that question on his fourth album on Origin. With his alto sax he combines with portions of two existing Origin bands: guitarist Jamie Findlay and bassist Zac Matthews of the Acoustic Jazz Quartet on half of the tracks, and bassist Doug Miller and drummer (and label founder) John Bishop of New Stories on the alternating half. The trios make a... read more
Chris Walden Big Band - No Bounds
by Jeff Krow, Audiophile Audition
Chris Walden's debut album, 2005's Home of My Heart (previously reviewed) was a hard act to follow. His latest CD does not match the full power and force of his debut, but it is still a fine contemporary big band issue. In these days when true big band recordings with new material are so rare, Walden delivers the goods again by mixing a jazz version of David Foster's theme from the 2006 Winter Olympics with three Walt Disney songs, a Miles Davis... read more
Ron Di Salvio - Essence of Green, A Tribute to Kind Of Blue
by Jae Sinnett, Jazz Programmers List
I hesitate in using the word clever when talking about the music most of the time because it can be interpreted as something cynical or sneaky but in the case of "Essence Of Green" I'll use it in a very positive way.
As a "tribute" release it could have easily fallen into the predictable trap of taking "Kind Of Blue" material and changing a chord here or a rhythm there making it a weak attempt at bringing new life into overly used material... read more
Milan Verbist Trio - Time Change
by George W Harris, Jazz Weekly
Pianist Milan Verbist has a touch and style that feels like it has imbibed deeply the waters of Brad Mehldau, thoroughly modern in harmonies yet linked to the vintage past. Teamed with ToonRumen on bass and drummer Jens Meijer, he mixes originals with a wide palette of covers, ranging from Bach to Ornette Coleman. Of the former, his chords are dark and spacious on the ruminating title piece while showing some Monkish festivities around Meijer's... read more
Michael Zilber - East West: Music for Big Bands
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
After earning high praise from Dave Liebman, Zilber redefines what ambition and drive mean by coming forth with a twofer that features a bicoastal recording in which the sax man pulls out all the stops in arranging for big band. Highlighting what makes each coast special rather than pitting them against each other, this is a modern monster of a set where the blowing is unbridled and uncontained fiercely sending a joyful noise up through he... read more
Bill Anschell - Rumbler
by Dr. Debra Jan Bibel, Amazon
With this, his ninth album as leader, pianist Bill Anschell returns this time with a fuller ensemble and emphasis on original tunes and arrangements. Headquartered in Seattle and environs, he brings a relaxed, melodic approach but does not shy away from hot inventions. The three covers are Monk's Misterioso, Lennon & McCarty's For No One, and Ellington's Reflections in D (a pure piano solo). His group includes the trio stalwarts bassist Chris... read more
Sarah Partridge - Bright Lights and Promises: Redefining Janis Ian
by Robert Rusch, Cadence
SARAH PARTRIDGE's BRIGHT LIGHTS & PROMISES [Origin Records 82732] is subtitled Redefining Janis Ian. Ian made her mark early in her career as a teenager in the mid 1960s. By the mid-1970s she was on the map with her anthem "At Seventeen", a cutting commentary on the standards of beauty and adolescent cruelty (and this was pre-social media!). Recorded 8/18&19/16, the 13 Ian tunes [65:12] here are handled well by Partridge and cohorts [Allen... read more
Peterson-Kohler Collective - Winter Colors
by George W Harris, Jazz Weekly
Guitarist David Peterson co-leads with piano man Lee Kohler and bassist Rob along for a collection of originals with Brent Jensen/sax and John Bishop/dr. The team weaves between post bop and sublime samba here, with the latter swaying gorgeously with Jensen's tenor on "I Need You Too" and Peterson leading the way on "Danza." Piano and guitar hover dreamlike on "The Wind Has Gone Down" with the leaders getting artsy on the free form "White... read more
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