One of the finer piano trio albums of 2013 - released too late in the year, or on too small a label, to make a dent in the critics' polls - is George Colligan's The Endless Mysteries. It's a program of original compositions, most of them sensible and sturdy. And because it was recorded in a few hours with no rehearsal, it's the product of rough-and-ready postbop expertise, rather than the lived experience of a steady band.
At... read more
Pianist-composer Josh Nelson's follow-up to his 2011 science fiction-inspired album Discoveries, Exploring Mars delivers everything you would expect from an album with that title. Taking inspiration from actual science as well as science fiction, Nelson takes the listener along on a journey of musical exploration of variations on his Martian theme. There are tracks devoted to the exploratory rovers. There are tracks devoted to Martian... read more
Alright, so here's a previously unreleased live set performed by a bunch of artists I should probably be more familiar with. This concert was recorded after Galper had just finished a tour with Cannonball Adderley, and he's joined by Randy and Mike Brecker, Wayne Dockery, and Bob Moses. All six songs are around 10-25 minutes each, and all five musicians simply go off. Opener "Now Hear This" is just nonstop energy for 14 minutes. "Speak with a... read more
Pianist Darrell Grant showcases some of neo-bop's strengths on this ambitious two-disc set from Origin Records. Looking back to the bop era for inspiration, Grant also astutely mixes in classical elements, folk themes, flirts with light R&B, and walks surely and boldly into pop territory, all through a bop lens from the vantage point of the 21st century. Working with guitarists Bill Frisell and Adam Rogers, saxophonist Steve Wilson, vibist Joe... read more
Milan Verbist plays as if time stands still
The audience at De Singer is filled with anticipation as pianist Milan Verbist (26) hovers his hands above the keys. A soft, almost tangible intro unfolds—the title track Time Change from his new album. The audience holds its breath. De Standaard newspaper awarded his debut album four stars, and broadcaster Klara called him one of those young twenty-somethings "who will color the... read more
Florian Hoffner takes the piano in solo form on this collection of originals performed both in concert and studio. His touch is calm, assured and assuring on sublime pieces such as "The Send" and "Sunset Bay." He creates reflective moments of gentle foamy currents during "Never Lost" and "The Great Auk" as the whole album feels like a stroll through... read more
Vocalist Alison Ruble adds her name to the list of great Chicago musicians making CDs for Seattle's Origin Records with her latest, This is a Bird. It's a beautiful disc with a phenomenal backing band that would likely make it nearly impossible to put out anything but a top-notch effort. So, put a great singer on top and play a bunch of great tunes, and you'll have a foolproof album. And that's exactly what we've got here.
This is a Bird's... read more
Over the past 40 years, you could count on releases from pianist Bill Anschell (Nneena Freelon) to be acoustic piano fare ... until now. While the additional layer of sonic busy-ness didn't do anything for me, Dan McClenaghan of AllAboutJazz thought otherwise, "The results of Anschell's "out of his comfort zone" project is gratifying. He uses the electronics deftly, adding washes that sound like cool breezes wafting down the river valley, eerie... 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