David Friesen is a superb bassist with a large attractive sound, superior technique and the ability to uplift any session he is on, whether as a leader or a sideman. On Where The Light Falls, the 2012 Jazz Society of Oregon Hall of Famer is accompanied by his regular trio, consisting of the fluent and consistently creative pianist Greg Goebel and the endlessly supportive drummer Charlie Doggett. Guitarist Larry Koonse, well-known for his... read more
Bassist Jeff Johnson traveled the United States from the 1970s until 1990. He followed the work during his time of transience, and played an array of styles, from R&B to country, from blues to pop, and jazz. Then he put his suitcase down in Seattle and evolved into something of a house bassist for Origin Records, backing pianists Jessica Williams and Hal Galper, saxophonist Mark Taylor, vocalists Carrie Wicks and Jeff Baker, drummer John Bishop,... read more
I'm not sure where the internal contradiction is in Ben Thomas' album, where he plays bandoneon, vibes and percussion with Eric Likkel/c-bcl, Steve Schermer/b Gretchen Yanover/cel, Brandon Vance/v and Jonathan Geer/p. The music seems to make perfect sense, bringing together right Argentine sounds with an occasional klezmer feel. The strings and piano are only together for a handful of songs, making you beg for more, creating a rich framework for... read more
Seattle-born Anne Drummond's first instrument wasn't a flute. It was a recorder: a first for many children because of the relative ease with which simple melodies can be played. Introduced in medieval times, the instrument remains quite popular today. As often is the case, the piano followed; that was her primary instrument when she entered New York's Manhattan School of Music at age 18. She also had replaced the recorder with a flute by that... read more
In the words of David Bowie: "Changes."
The Metropolitan Jazz Octet's two previous albums teem with unadulterated jazz. Paul Marinaro is a hard-swinging, expressive baritone steeped in the Great American Songbook and the jazz tradition. So what in the galaxy are they doing with the music of pop legend—and onetime glam rocker, dancehall king, visual visionary, music man of multiple personae, and cultural icon—David Bowie?
Historians... read more
With his Origin Records debut CD, Passages, saxophonist Scott Burns has delivered a masterpiece of ingeniously crafted and superbly performed originals. His appealing, intelligent compositions are the perfect showcase for his electrifying energy and sophisticated, sensuous sound. Joined by the Chicago dreamteam of pianist Ron Perrillo, bassist Dennis Carroll and drummer George Fludas, Scott Burns' Passages is one of the most impressive... read more
Portland, Oregon-based guitarist Stowell has a super-cool approach to his instrument but with a minimum of fuss can tear up the strings with some complex improvising that seems to occur at almost the speed of light. He plays here acoustic-electric guitars made by Portland custom guitar-maker Mike Doolin, and using nylon strings. Doolin invited Stowell over to try out his latest creations and in the process taped him playing a tune on each... read more
Drummer Todd Bishop and his quintet with Richard Cole (bass clarinet, baritone, tenor and soprano), Tim Willcox (tenor and soprano),
keyboardist Weber Iago, and bassist Bill Athens, pay tribute not so much to Ornette Coleman's style and sound, but to his compositions. Of
the eight songs, only "Lonely Woman" (Coleman's greatest hit but taken in a different direction than usual) has been performed much
since being debuted by the altoist up to... read more
This is just a small collection of the Origin Records reviews. Click here to view all reviews or try to Search for your favorite CD title.
Abate Berihun & The Addis Ken Project - Addis Ken
by Hanna Kay, Cult News (Paris)
Abate Berihun & The Addis Ken Project - Addis Ken
by Budapest, Rudolf Radnai
Abate Berihun & The Addis Ken Project - Addis Ken
by Editor, Bman's Blues Report
Jared Hall - Hometown
by Editor, Bman's Blues Report
Dawn Clement - Dear Ms. Dearie
by Editor, Bman's Blues Report
Jared Hall - Hometown
by Dee Dee McNeil, Making A Scene
Affinity Trio - New Outlook
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
Michael Dease Big Band - Return Trajectory
by Thierry De Clemensat, Paris Move
Brad Goode Quintet Feat. Ernie Watts - Live Your Dream: Live at North Street Cabaret
by Thierry De Clemensat, Paris Move
Maja Jaku - Blessed & Bewitched
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect