Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Benjamin Boone | Philip Levine - The Poetry of Jazz
by Jeffery Gleaves, The Paris Review
Before his death in 2015, the former U.S. poet laureate and Pulitzer Prize winner Philip Levine partnered with the saxophonist Benjamin Boone to record live jazz and poetry reading sessions. The Poetry of Jazz, fourteen original jazz compositions paired with fourteen poems by the late poet laureate, has finally been released and is available in nearly every format (CD, Google Play Music, Spotify, YouTube). The LP opens with one of my favorite... read more
Jessica Williams - Songs of Earth
by George Fendel, Jazz Society of Oregon
Over a period encompassing several engagements at Seattle's The Triple Door, pianist Williams compiled six original compositions (of the seven played here) which seemed to have a common thread. All were completely improvised on the spot, and in her effort to meld them into an artistic whole, she chose pieces which complement one another. While the term "jazz pianist" is an honorable title, I've always felt that Williams takes it a step further... read more
Bridge Quartet - Night
by Jerome Wilson, Cadence
Night has a talented quartet pinning their ears back and playing their butts off on a variety of familiar pieces. the opening "Wouldn't it be Loverly" quickly establishes that Phil Dwyer is one of those saxophonists who likes to go on stream-of-consciousness rants in his solos. He generally does this in more laidback fashion than Sonny Rollins or Dexter Gordon, even on an uptempo "Green Dolphin Street." But on Rollins' "Strode Rode" he really... read more
Clark Sommers - Ba(SH)
by C. Michael Bailey, All About Jazz
The spirit of Thelonious Monk abounds on bassist Clark Sommers' Ba(SH). Monk's music is magnetically drawn to odd formats like this saxophone trio, sporting Geof Bradfield on reeds and Dana Hall on drums. There is no tether in this music; all participant are free in the most free sense. The recital hold together well, with Bradfield's intricate nod to Monk's "Rhythm-n-Ing" providing an example of the long arm of Monk. There are elements of... read more
Michael Waldrop - Time Frames
by Jim Lambert, Percussive Notes
This 2021 CD features the music of Michael Waldrop on marimba, vibraphone, and drum set. Additionally, percussionists Gordon Stout, Brad Dutz, Jose Rossy, and Marko Djordjevic are featured on several tracks. In addition to Waldrop as a composer, other composers include Jack Cooper, Nathan Daughtrey, Jonathan Middleton, Stout, and Dutz. This CD reflects the outstanding musicianship of Waldrop on a variety of instruments. The compositions are... read more
Sean Michael Giddings - Red Willow
by George W Harris, Jazz Weekly
Along with piano, leader Sean Michael Giddings plays harmonium, whammy clav as well as some orchestral programming with his team of Sam Pankey/b and Daniel Dufour/dr. The orchestrations are rich and graceful, as on the waltzing "Opening Scene" (featuring Pankey) and the pretty and poetic "Sonata". Some New Orleans pulses have Giddings hitting the chords hard on "White Claw" and he gives a rich romantic piano intro to "Agafia".... read more
Clarence Penn - Behind the Voice
by Dorothea Gängel, Jazz 'N' More (Switzerland)
4-STARS Clarence Penn is one of the most dynamic jazz drummers in the world. But that's not all: Thanks to his versatility and professionalism, he has led numerous bands in the past, composed music for films and commercials, and produced songs for a variety of pop and jazz musicians. His career began in New York in 1991. He toured with greats such as Betty Carter, Wynton Marsalis, Jacky Terrasson, Dizzy Gillespie, Dianne Reeves and Mike... read more
Mike Pope - The Parts You Keep
by MICHAEL STÜRM, Jazz Podium (Germany)
Mike Pope is a musician no one in Europe has on their radar. This engaging music, based on a shared musical language, is highly dynamic and full of beautiful sounds when it comes to bassists in jazz. The American is one of many instrumentalists who primarily work as sidemen. When these musicians record an album themselves, it often holds its own against the big names. Even if Pope occasionally betrays the routine of a virtuoso studio musician,... read more
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