Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
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
Kelly Brand Nextet - The Door
by Thomas Conrad, JazzTimes, May 2008
The Nextet (nice neologism) is first an outlet for the compositions and arrangements of Kelly Brand, and second a showcase for some of Chicago's best straightahead jazz players: tenor saxophonist Geof Bradfield, trumpeter Art Davis, bassist Kelly Sill (Brand's husband) and drummer Jon Deitemyer. Brand writes polished melodies and subtle harmonies and clever charts that reflect her upbeat attitude toward life. This positive energy gives The Door... read more
John Moulder - Metamorphosis
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
Have Wertico and Rodby played anything this angular in the last 40 years? Backing up a different guitarist, the four jazzbos on board are playing an after hours sound where they get to try on new ideas the man normally wouldn't let them. So properly in the pocket you start to wonder where Mike Bard is when you need him. High octane boundary pushing... read more
John Stowell / Dave Glenn & The Hawčaptak Quartet - Violin Memory
by Mark Sullivan, The Minor 7th
Guitarist John Stowell is a respected jazz player, known for his creative (and often difficult-to-play) chord voicings. That technique is very much in evidence in this set, but the focus is on his compositions. Trombonist Dave Glenn noticed that their duo performances had a chamber music quality, which inspired him to incorporate string quartet arrangements in this program. The core sound is still the duo: Stowell on nylon string guitar (plus a... read more
Dominic J. Marshall - Spirit Speech
by George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly
Pianist Dominic J. Marshall's star keeps rising on this session of originals with Tobias Nijboer/bass and Jamie Peet/drums. He's got a thoughtful touch that is able to be both swinging and romantic. His compositions are clever, sophisticated and accessible, ranging from the driving "Book of Machines" to the elegant ballad "Unflinchingly." A gentle but assertive groove leans forward on "Tiwanaku" while the team of bass and drum make some... read more
Brad Goode - Montezuma
by Paul Abella, Music Lounge - WDCB, Chicago
Kicking things off, Chicago expatriate Brad Goode has a new album out on Origin called Montezuma. As with all of Goode's releases on Origin, you can expect things to be a little left of center, and you can expect an album filled with interesting songs and some engaged playing. That's certainly the case throughout Montezuma. This disc crackles with energy. Even "My Funny Valentine" is amped up here. Personally, my favorite moment is the... read more
Maja Jaku - Blessed & Bewitched
by Robert Silverstein, Roots Music Report
RMR presents an interview with MAJA JAKU
RMR: Tell us about growing up in Kosovo. Did you leave Kosovo because of the war, and how did growing up in a war zone affect you on a personal and professional basis and when did you arrive in Austria? And tell us about your diverse musical influences while you were growing up.
MAJA JAKU: I grew up in Kosovo, in a deeply musical family. My uncle was a bass guitarist, and... read more
Bobby Broom - Upper West Side Story
by Bill Milkowski, JazzTimes
Following clever takes on contemporary pop tunes (2001's Stand), Thelonious Monk (2009's Plays for Monk) and Stevie Wonder (2011's Wonderful! by the Deep Blue Organ Trio), Bobby Broom's tenth outing as a leader is his first collection of all originals. Named for the Manhattan neighborhood where he grew up (he's been a Chicago resident since 1984), Upper West Side Story finds the veteran guitarist paying homage to... read more
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