Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Kiki Valera - Vivencias en Clave Cubana
by Tom Ehrlich, Timba
Kiki Valera, a member of a well known Cuban son family, Familia Valera Miranda, was born, raised, and attended conservatory in the eastern part of Cuba. He currently resides in Seattle, Washington, USA. He has just released his first recording as a leader, "Vivencias en clave cubana", an outstanding project with wonderful music, exquisite mastering, and great packaging.
Among the standout features of this project are Valera's skillfully... read more
Purna Loka Ensemble - Metaraga
by K Knox, Amazon
"Brilliant, innovative "Country & Eastern" Heard a track from this on my local pubic radio station and was so blown away I had to park the car in order to give it my full attention and find out who the players were. East Indian violin of the highest caliber intertwined with equally virtuosic violin rooted in Western classical, Appalachian blues and Celtic reels, all grounded with gorgeous bass and tabla. The compositions are intricate... read more
Greg Germann - Tales of Time
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
Part of a nu generation of frenetic jazzbos that learned how to tone it down for TV and studio work but remember how to turn it back up when it's their clock they're free to warder off of. Wild stuff for those who don't take their jazz lying... read more
Michael Zilber - Originals for the Originals
by George Harris, Jazz Weekly
Michael Zilber uses his compositional skills as well as his soprano and tenor saxes to give tribute to some of his musical inspirations. The core team of David Kikoski/p, James Genus/b and Clarence Penn/dr is used for all of the songs except one, the darkly swinging "Hen House" dedicated to Joe Henderson. Other Selmer stars include a Wayne Shorter, who is shown by the leader's soprano in the Weather Report fashion on the exciting and propulsive... read more
Bob Sneider & Joe Locke - Nocturne for Ava
by Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
Bob Sneider and Joe Locke's follow-up to Fallen Angel, their first Film Noir Project, follows the same formula, blending creative arrangements of music written for movies with enticing originals that are worthy of being utilized in soundtracks. Joining the guitarist and vibraphonist once more are trumpeter John Sneider, tenor saxophonist Grant Stewart, and pianist Paul Hofmann, with newcomers including bassist Martin Wind, drummer Tim Horner,... read more
Dan Cray - Meridies
by Peter Margasak, Chicago Reader
Terrific pianist Dan Cray, a native of Glen Ellyn, moved to New York in 2009 after spending much of the previous decade building the reputation of his fine Chicago trio with bassist Clark Sommers (now teaching in Idaho) and drummer Greg Wyser-Pratte. On Meridies (Origin), his recent fifth album and first since leaving town, Cray tweaks the group, adding young saxophonist Noah Preminger and replacing Wyser-Pratte with Mark Ferber, but he doesn't... read more
Randy Halberstadt - Open Heart
by Paul Rauch, All About Jazz
4-STARS Seattle based pianist Randy Halberstadt has been a major figure on the jazz scene in the Pacific Northwest for several decades, applying his talents as a pianist, composer, educator, and author. He has four previous releases as a leader, most recently with Flash Point (Origin, 2010). So yes, it has been some time since we last heard from the multidimensional pianist.
In the meantime, Halberstadt has garnered a reputation as... read more
Mark Colby - Reflections
by Ric Bang, The Davis Enterprise, April 2, 2009
Tenor saxman Mark Colby has played, recorded and toured with many jazz legends during the past 40 years, including Maynard Ferguson, Gerry Mulligan, Clark Terry and Charlie Haden.
Although Colby isn't well known outside the Chicago area, he's a "first call" musician when name artists come to town. And while Colby has recorded only two albums under his own name, he has been heard on literally thousands of commercials in the Windy City. He also... read more
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