Perhaps least known among contemporary jazz's great voice-piano duos, with 25 years of shared history, Laurie Antonioli and Richie Beirach are also masters of delayed gratification. The Duo Sessions, their first album as coleaders, was recorded in 1992 but not released until 13 years later. This overdue reunion was recorded in Beirach's adopted hometown of Leipzig a decade ago, completed in California in 2012, and at last released in... read more
Three years ago, the German jazz pianist and composer Florian Hoefner exchanged the vibrant city life of New York for the Canadian fishing town of St. John's in Newfoundland. The impact of that step, Hoefner, was splendidly translated into his new album 'Coldwater Stories'.
Although this is Hoefner's fourth CD, he debuts as soloist. In order to feel as comfortable as possible, he chose the Sendesaal in German Bremen for the recordings. For... read more
The label writes the following lines about the album: "Forceful and mystic, with a beauty and intensity that reminded him of his first hearings of Miles, Mingus, or Monk, Belgian bassist & composer Piet Verbist was pulled into his deep study of Flamenco culture several years ago through a grant from the Royal Conservatory of Antwerp. After a dozen immersive trips to Andalusia to study, perform, and develop a repertoire, Piet presented concerts... read more
Another solid outing from trumpeter Brad Goode, who shows from album to album how changing a few little things can have a big effect. Whether it's adding an unusual instrument to the mix or rethinking old standards and modern pop tunes, there's always plenty of interesting stuff going on. His current album has Goode joined by pianist Adrean Farrugia, bassist Kelly Sill and drummer Anthony Lee. Aside from some nifty originals, the highlights... read more
4-STARS Boasting a forty-year career in music, bassist & composer David Friesen found a home at Origin Records in 2014, with his Where The Light Falls, featuring his Circle 3 Trio and guest guitarist Larry Koonse. He has, in the ensuing years, created his finest art for the label, mostly in small groups—duos and trios, and also a solo outing—in addition to his masterpiece, Testimony (2020), featuring his quartet along with the... read more
4-STARS The outstanding bassist Rodney Whitaker (*1968 in Detroit) presents "Mosaic," his fourth album, following "Common Ground" (2019), "Outrospection" (2021), and "Oasis" (2023), featuring compositions by Gregg Hill from Michigan. He performs with an illustrious quintet, as well as Rockelle Whitaker, the bassist's daughter, who contributes vocals to three tracks. Gregg Hill's compositions, all arranged by Rodney Whitaker, are... read more
You could safely describe 'Carrier' as the guitar album of a drummer. Xavier Lecouturier delivers only five of the ten compositions while his guitarist takes care of three. Bassist ( Ben Feldman ) and pianist ( Gus Carns ) each also wrote a song. A generous group leader who rather plays the role of game distributor and gives his fellow musicians a lot of room. Lucas Winter uses a guitar style in the line of Larry Coryell and Kurt Rosenwinkel. He... read more
Hadley Caliman recorded a few albums in the 1970s then didn't record as a leader for several decades until after retiring from his teaching job, then came a series of CDs issued by Origin, of which this is the third. This reunion with fellow tenor saxophonist Pete Christlieb marks their first opportunity to play together since the mid-1960s, aside from one brief meeting in the forty plus year stretch leading up to this record date. Many two... 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