Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Benjamin Boone with the Ghana Jazz Collective - Joy
by David Whiteis, JazzTimes
The Ghana Jazz Collective (saxophonist Bernard Ayisa, keyboardist Victor Dey, Jr., bassist Bright Osei, and drummer Frank Kissi) are an Accra-based contingent whose weekly sessions at the +233 Jazz Bar have become legendary among local aficionados as well as savvy-eared visitors from out of town. Their sound might challenge some listeners' stereotypes about African jazz musicians—rooted solidly in American funk-fusion and seasoned with healthy... read more
Lynn Bush with New Stories - Still Life
by Mark Fefer, Seattle Weekly
Sometimes I think it's me. Maybe I have a "problem" with female singers. Or maybe jazz really is dead and that's why Krall and Karrin and Monheit bore me to madness with their tiresome twittery standards. And then I hear someone like Lynn Bush and realize that jazz lives plenty and so does my heart. She won't win awards for prettiest voice or most pristine technique, but shit, computers, and computer-like performers can supply that now. Bush has... read more
Anthony Branker and Word Play - Uppity
by Ken Franckling, Ken Franckling's Jazz Notes
A medical condition that led to a seizure and two brain aneurysms in 1999 forced jazzman Anthony Branker to give up the trumpet, but not his talents as a conceptualist and composer. (He is also an educator ? the founder and director of the jazz studies program at Princeton.) His newest release, featuring his all-star sextet Word Play, is both beautiful and provocative. Favorites: ?Three Gifts (from a Nigerian Mother to God)? and the title track... read more
Randy Halberstadt - Parallel Tracks
by Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
The trio of pianist Randy Halberstadt, bassist Jeff Johnson, and drummer Gary Hobbs is based in the Pacific Northwest. On this outing, they perform a few swingers ("The Touch of Your Lips" and "Everything I Love"), engage in superior ballad playing ("In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning" and "Don't Forget the Poet"), and show off their wit on Thelonious Monk's "Well, You Needn't." Other highlights include Artie Shaw's "Moonray," the adventurous... read more
Allison Adams Tucker - WANDERlust
by John Watson, London Jazz News
The international scene is currently blessed with a huge number of exceptionally talented female singers. There are so many strikingly individual voices among them, ranging from the deep, dark chocolate timbre of Patricia Barber to the almost fly-away high range of the brilliant Youn Sun Nah, and all shades of tonal colours in between.
San Diego-born Allison Adams Tucker's voice can be placed towards the lighter end of the tonal spectrum, and... read more
Jessica Williams - The Art of the Piano
by C. Michael Bailey, All About Jazz
After recording for several labels, Jessica Williams may have found her most empathetic home at Origin Arts. She has produced several fine recordings with the label that include: Songs (with Carolyn Graye)(0A2, 1997); Billy's Theme: A Tribute to Dr. Billy Taylor (Origin, 2006); Songs for a New Century (2008, Origin); and now, in 2009, The Art of the Piano, recorded in solo performance live at The Triple Door, Seattle.
Like Cyrus Chestnut,... read more
David Friesen Circle 3 Trio - Where the Light Falls
by Chris Lunn, Ancient Victorys
Friesen's talent only grows and widens the jazz idiom. I was lucky enough to hear the trio appearing on this CD at the Jerry Heldmand CD release and life celebration last year. "Playground" is a live shot with with the guitarist Larry Koonse added, and they are just having fun, dancing light joyful. Pianist Goebel has lyrical explosions, and the counterpoint of David Friesen's bass and the percussion of Charlie Doggett are never in the way,... read more
Laurie Antonioli - Songs of Shadow, Songs of Light
by Dr. Debra Jan Bibel, Amazon.com
Joni Mitchell certainly has gone far since June 1968 when I listened to the then emerging composer sing at New York's The Bitter End. Having become one of the honored greats of music, her numerous songs have been covered by many singers and instrumentalists. This includes jazz artists, which is appropriate since Mitchell herself wrote and performed jazz crossovers. The latest is from vocalist Laurie Antonioli, whose new album, Songs of... read more
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