Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Kelly Harland - Long Ago And Far Away - Kelly Harland Sings Jerome Kern
by Ric Bang, The Davis Enterprise, December 4, 2003
Vocalist Kelly Harland has been singing for a long, long time. I'm sure you've heard her, but I'm also sure - unless you're a music insider - that you don't know her.
Why? Because she's what is known as an "on-call" studio and backup vocalist. This Seattle-based artists is one of the many folks who make singing commercials and is hired by visiting "name" acts, to be part of background vocal groups that support the shows.
"Long Ago and Far... read more
Dave Slonaker Big Band - Shifty Paradigms
by Jonathan Widran, The JW Vibe
The opening line of Grammy nominated composer/arranger Dave Slonaker's liner notes for Shifty Paradigms, his melodically and harmonically imaginative, rhythmically intense and stylistically diverse third album, says it all about his lifelong devotion to the realm: "Since my middle school days, the sound of big band has intrigued me."
One of Hollywood's most in demand arrangers and orchestrators for more than 30 years, his diversity is rooted... read more
Jim Knapp Orchestra - It's Not Business, It's Personal
by Michael van Gee, Jazz 'N' More (Switzerland)
4-STARS This newly released CD by Seattle-based trumpeter, composer, bandleader and arranger Jim Knapp, who died in November 2021 at the age of 82, was recorded in 2009. Composer and arranger Maria Schneider praises: "Jim Knapp's music is full of intensity, emotions and creative textures and should be better known. It is among the best that is currently being written." Unfortunately, Knapp is only known to insiders, although he was... read more
Michael Dease - The Other Shoe: The Music of Gregg Hill
by Michael van Gee, Jazz'n'More (Switzerland)
5/5 - "UNMISTAKABLY GREAT" The trombonist Michael Dease (*1982) is one of today's best jazz trombonists who has recorded numerous first-class albums, especially in the mainstream. What was new for me was that he is also a very good baritone sax player, which he shows on the slow, very groovy "The Goodbye Blues," "Rio Mio" with a Caribbean touch, and the relatively free title track "The Other Shoe" sets in. On The Other Shoe Dease... read more
Peter Erskine & the JAM Music Lab All-Stars - Bernstein in Vienna
by Stephen Graham, Marlbank (UK)
4-STARS Here's a swinging, tone perfect, small jazz group live version of some of the gems from the Leonard Bernstein catalogue powered by Weather Report drummer Peter Erskine and beautifully arranged by pianist Danny Grissett - interesting touches include using harmonica (Bertl Mayer) as lead voice on 'I Feel Pretty'. Drummers check out Erskine's masterful touches on 'It's Love'. Great too to hear swinging guitarist Andreas Varady in... read more
Darrell Grant - Truth And Reconciliation
by Bob Karlovits, Pittsburgh Tribune Review
This two-CD album has a curious event it calls a "reprise." The first disc by this marvelous pianist and an equally strong group ends with a version of Sting's "King of Pain" that sounds unfinished. The second disc begins with more "King of Pain." It seems like a runover on a newspaper story. Really, a little editing could have produced one version that would have been fine, thanks. But that is a minor oddity on this delightful album. It is made... read more
Bobby Rozario - Healer
by Olivia Peevas, Jazz Blues EU
It as a vibrant fusion project that blends jazz-rock, blues, and world rhythms with spiritual and contemporary themes.
Reviewers have largely praised the album for its emotional depth and technical proficiency: Musical Style: The album is noted for its "jazz rock sound" mixed with Afro-Latin influences.
One reviewer compared Rozario's guitar style and passion to that of Carlos Santana, noting his ability to meld Indian Raagas with fusion... read more
John McLean - Better Angels
by Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
Guitarist John McLean's Better Angels is certainly difficult to classify. Some pieces, such as "Ready for the War," come across as modern pop. Others are closer to the music of the Pat Metheny Group, while a few tunes are modernized swing standards including one of the strangest versions of "Airmail Special" one will ever hear. While there are some individual spots, the emphasis during most of the selections is on the haunting ensemble sound... read more
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