Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Benjamin Boone with the Ghana Jazz Collective - Joy
by Raul Da Gama, JazzdaGama
Charlie Parker and Steve Lacy have inadvertently cast gigantic shadows on both the instruments that Benjamin Boone just happens to play. The former, an alto saxophonist is, quite simply, one of the greatest musicians that ever lived; so great, in fact, that when listening to his inventions we often forget that it was Adolphe Sax, who, in fact, gave him the instrument on which to invent. And Steve Lacy took Sidney Bechet's "straight horn" and... read more
Doug Beavers 9 - Two Shades of Nude
by Kyle O'Brien, Jazz Society of Oregon
Trombonist Beavers is known for being a member of the Mingus Big Band and also for his association with Eddie Palmieri. On his second disc as a leader and composer, Beavers leads eight other fine musicians through a disc of originals and tightly arranged covers. It's a small, modern jazz big band that tackles the music with verve. The title track shows off Beavers' fortitude as a composer. Its long note theme soars over a bubbling bop, and his... read more
Lucas Pino - No Net Nonet
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
Playing a month at a crack at Small's, this well educated sax man doesn't let his education get in the way of leading a bebop crew that sounds like they played a set Alfred Lion forgot to release. Crackling with high octane energy throughout, Pino leads his crew through a smoking outing that'll singe those pesky hairs on your ears that you just can't shave right. Blazing through a set of originals, Pino has a special knack for finding... read more
Michael Orenstein - Aperture
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
An LA based jazz piano cat t hat's paid his dues while being influenced by Herbie Hancock seems to have waited until just the right time to deliver his auspicious debut. Kind of smooth jazz with bite, this is top shelf sitting down jazz that moves and grooves with fine style and chops. Classy throughout, this is the tour de force you are always looking... read more
Dan Dean - Songs Without Words
by Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz
TOP TEN OF 2017 - And lastly - something not jazz: Bassist Dan Dean has created a set of sounds as innovative, in its way, as the 1968's Moog synthesizer-driven Switched on Bach (Columbia Masterworks, 1968), from the forward thinking Walter (Now Wendy) Carlos. Crafting a polar opposite of sorts of the legendary Carlos set, Dean - with just his bass and his overdubbed voice - shapes a gorgeous, soaring, ephemeral sound, drawing from Bach,... read more
Dana Hall - Into the Light
by Doug Ramsey, Rifftides
Dana Hall, Into The Light (Origin). Drummers who flaunt their technique can be enemies of music when their busyness becomes the center-ring distraction in a band. Dana Hall is a busy drummer, but in his case that's a compliment. He accompanies with waves of rhythmic patterns surging and swelling behind, under and around soloists. This 40-year-old Chicagoan?debuting here as a leader?manages to amalgamate his virtuosity so that he melds... read more
Dominic J. Marshall - Spirit Speech
by Hessel Fluitman, JazzFlits - Holland
The label Origin from Seattle has its own sound. In many Origin recordings appear a slithering calm, intelligently played jazz. Spirit Speech of the trio of pianist Dominic J. Marshall seems at first hearing a typical Origin album. Yet Marshall is too much of a stubborn European to a preferred body to squeeze. His game has more emotion than you expect from Origin CDs. Marshall makes intensive music. He builds the music continuously. His... read more
Carlos Vega - Bird's Up
by Hobart Taylor, KUCI.org
This Chicago based saxophonist/composer swings with ease and authenticity. Joined in a quintet format featuring the elucidating Victor Garcia on trumpet, the music often has latin rhythms, but owes a lot to be-bop as well, an 21st century version of the Machito sound. But there are also straight ahead melodies for the ages, like the gorgeous "Untitled Waltz For The Wednesday" which features guest artists Scott Hesse on guitar and Cheryl Wilson,... read more
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