Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Phil Kelly - Ballet of the Bouncing Beagles
by George Fendel, Jazz Society of Oregon
Somebody out there needs to give some high fives to Phil Kelly. Really, it's not very common these days for anyone to release a big band CD this good. And why? Well, among a plethora of highly skilled band barons, a few of the all-star types include Jay Thomas, trumpet; Jerry Dodgion, alto; Pete Christlieb, tenor; Bill Ramsay, baritone; Dave Marriott, trombone; John Hansen, piano, and two Portland faves, Dave Captein, bass, and Gary Hobbs,... read more
Les DeMerle - The Jazz Spirit of Christmas
by Adam Greenburg, All Music Guide
Presumably taking advantage of some time off touring, Les DeMerle joins up with a small group for a jazz Christmas album. It's nightclub fare in general, with steady instrumental work from the crew and some solid vocals from Bonnie Eisele, DeMerle's wife. Ken Peplowski takes some very nice classic post-bop solos from time to time, playing off of DeMerle's drums perfectly, and bassist Bill McCrossen, though staying in the back for the majority of... read more
Carlos Vega - Bird's Up
by Lance Liddle, Bebop Spoken Here
Two CDs recorded not quite 2 years apart by a modern-day hardbop quintet led by Florida born Vega who also composed all of the 20 tracks on both albums as well as blowing some paint stripping sax. It's a humdinger of a band, all strong soloists in their own right and, importantly, team players too. Although the albums were recorded in Chicago, there is often a Miami Latin feel to the music -listen to the Cajon box on "Taurus and Virgo" on... read more
Anthony Branker & Word Play - Dialogic
by David Franklin, Cadence
Anthony Branker teaches music composition at Princeton and leads a couple of Jazz groups on the side. Dialogic is the second release by his quartet, Word Play. He himself no longer performs, but he composes the group's material and serves as its musical director.
His compositions are more than mere tunes, but they are tuneful and they serve ably as vehicles for the consummate improvisations of his fine cadre of musicians, all of whom boast... read more
Peter Erskine & the JAM Music Lab All-Stars - Bernstein in Vienna
by Jürg Solothurnmann, Jazz'N'More (Switzerland)
Musicians from the Vienna University JAM Music Lab pay tribute to Leonard Bernstein († 1990) and invite Peter Erskine as producer and soloist. There has always been an exchange between jazz and the melodies of musicals and revues. With his attractive creations such as "West Side Story", Bernstein continued this tradition, a fusion of light classical music, jazz and pop songs. This ORF concert recording under the direction of Danny Grissett... read more
Kim Richmond Ensemble - Live At Cafe Metropol
by George Fendel, Jazz Society of Oregon
Over a period of years, you may have spotted the name Kim Richmond in the personnel of many a big band. Now the alto maven presents a sextet that plays with gusto on "You Don't Know What Love Is," "Invitation," "Never Let Me Go," "The Peacocks" and a few cheeky originals. Richmond can be mellow one moment, strident the next. But his players will hold your... read more
Grete Skarpeid - Beyond Other Stories
by Camilla Slaattun, JAZZiNORGE (Norway)
JAZZ PROFILE: Grete Skarpeid just released her second album, "Beyond Other Stories", arranged and produced by Aruan Ortiz. A film team has followed Skarpeid and her collaboration with Aruan for four years, and this autumn the documentary Grete - and the Cuban pianist will be released.
Hi, Grete, how are you doing in these challenging corona times, and how has the last year been for you?
Last year started brilliantly... read more
Bridge Quartet - Day
by John Barron, All About Jazz.com
The Portland, Oregon-based Bridge Quartet is a group of hard-swinging musical daredevils who play with ultra-modern sensibilities. The ensemble consists of drummer Alan Jones, pianist Darrell Grant, bassist Tom Wakeling and Canadian saxophonist Phil Dwyer. Their debut release, Day, contains fresh takes on well-worn standards like "Wouldn't It Be Loverly," "Where or When" and "Milestones," along with enticing original material.
With an... 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