Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Rob Lockart - Parallel Lives
by Stewart Mason, All Music Guide
Saxophonist Rob Lockart has been a mainstay of the Los Angeles jazz scene for nearly two decades, working most notably with Chris Walden on a number of projects. Parallel Lives is Lockart's first solo album, an agreeable if rarely spectacular example of unfussy modern jazz that occasionally crosses over into too-smooth fuzak. Lockart mostly sticks to tenor on Parallel Lives, although his lyrical soprano soloing on "Waiting for the Truth" is one... read more
Randy Halberstadt - Open Heart
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
41 years a teacher and he can still hit the ivories in late night/after hours fashion. A jazzbo to the core, he took his time getting this set together, from the writing to finding the right players, and if this is OCD, it has useful applications. Or it could just be strict attention to detail, so much so that it can make structure swing sounding spontaneous. Whatever, it's a smoking date that delivers the goods mightily. A tasty workout... read more
Nanami Haruta - The Vibe
by Willard Jenkins, Album Liner Notes
Unlike other members of the family of western instruments, the ranks of the trombone are a bit exclusive—perhaps even more exclusive in the art of the improvisers, the jazz landscape. Which is yet more reason to celebrate the arrival of a new trombone voice in jazz music. Her name is Nanami Haruta and she arrives at this debut recording moment from Sapporo in the Hokkaido prefecture, the northernmost of Japan's main islands. Hokkaido is known... read more
Jack Mouse - Range of Motion
by Hrayr Attarian, All About Jazz
Drummer and educator Jack Mouse has a versatile and prolific career. In addition to playing, among many others, with trumpeter Clark Terry, saxophonist James Moody and pianist Stan Kenton he has been actively involved in education as a faculty member at various institutions and as a writer for percussion magazines. His debut album Range of Motion comprises ten of his originals that exhibit a variety of influences and are in a number of different... read more
Greta Matassa - Portrait
by Doug Ramsey, Rifftides
Greta Matassa has never stopped performing extensively or touring with her widely admired quintet, but it has been years since she has made a new recording. The singer's first album since 2011 is a reminder of the rare depth of her musicianship and her ability to fnd the essence of a song. The longtime colleagues with her on Portrait are veterans of the vital Pacific Northwest jazz community. Matassa selects thirteen songs that are among the... read more
Joachim Mencel - Brooklyn Eye
by Adam Baruch, Adam Baruch.com (Israel)
This is an album by Polish Jazz pianist / composer Joachim Mencel, recorded in US with three American musicians: guitarist Steve Cardenas, bassist Scott Colley and drummer Rudy Royston. The album presents ten original compositions, all by Mencel. In addition to the piano, Mencel also plays the hurdy-gurdy, which is usually associated with Folk music in many European Cultures, and is very rarely used in Jazz, but not entirely unheard off.
On... read more
Laurie Antonioli - Songs of Shadow, Songs of Light
by Mike Jurkovic, Elmore Magazine
Tribute records come and go, all but a few failing their vaunted goal. Sound-alike's abound: rote country versions, routine roots variations and strident schizo-genre adaptations. Gratefully, Antonioli's nod to Joni Mitchell, Songs of Shadow, Songs of Light is brazenly infused with the fearless creativity that we, and she, salute Ms. Mitchell for time and time again.
Though none of these 13 songs postdate 1975, Antonioli, an... read more
Dan McCarthy - City Abstract
by Dan Bilawsky, All About Jazz
4-STARS The concept of homecoming is inextricably linked to the music that Dan McCarthy presents on City Abstract. Recorded in May of 2019, shortly after he had returned to his native Toronto after fifteen years in New York, this date finds the vibraphonist bowing to two of his biggest influences: pianist Carla Bley and vibraphonist Gary Burton. Those lodestars provide solid inspiration and clear direction for McCarthy, who works his way... read more
Looking for a specific review?
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.
Search Reviews:
Recently Added Reviews:
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