Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Scenes - ...But Not Heard
by George Fendel, Jazz Society of Oregon
Students of jazz are always told to listen to everyone, borrow what inspires them, but give it back eventually. Because their most important assignment is to find a voice of their own. Many flattering things can be said of Portland guitarist John Stowell. And one of them is that he is very much his own man in a highly creative musical sense. He even holds the guitar like nobody else! On this CD, Stowell is reunited with his Seattle playing mates... read more
Brad Goode - Polytonal Dance Party
by Mike Joyce, Jazztimes, May 2009
"When I started asking musicians to read these chords, they wanted me to go away and die," Brad Goode tells fellow trumpeter John McNeil in the liner notes to the harmonically twisted Polytonal Dance Party. McNeil's witty observations and the accompanying lead sheets underscore the challenges that Goode's recruits faced--and ultimately surmounted. Still, it has to be said that listeners with a low tolerance fo otherworldy harmonic schemes... read more
Xose Miguélez - Contradictio
by Pepe Cunha, Abrete de Orellas (Spain)
Following the magnificent "Ontology" (2019) is linked to it through the piece that was titled and that here is reinvented in two versions: in quartet and duet with pianist Jean-Michel Pilc, co-producer of the album. Porén, if not a previous work or saxophonist composed from traditional melodies and oozed more from studio work, "Contradictio" aims more at live performance of a quartet that is completed with a Portuguese rhythmic base: Carlos... read more
Lynn Bush with New Stories - Still Life
by Mark Fefer, Seattle Weekly
Sometimes I think it's me. Maybe I have a "problem" with female singers. Or maybe jazz really is dead and that's why Krall and Karrin and Monheit bore me to madness with their tiresome twittery standards. And then I hear someone like Lynn Bush and realize that jazz lives plenty and so does my heart. She won't win awards for prettiest voice or most pristine technique, but shit, computers, and computer-like performers can supply that now. Bush has... read more
Laurie Antonioli - The Constant Passage of time
by Paul Freeman, Pop Culture Classics
Bay Area vocalist Laurie Atonioli's seventh album is pure magic. Her voice is heavenly, hauntingly beautiful, breathing life into an array of jazz/folk/pop tunes.
Antonioli's elegant, evocative lyrics are perfectly complemented by different composers on five gorgeous numbers -- the yearning "Longing for You," with melody by Russell Ferrante; the pensive "Layla," using Nguyen Le's tune; a radiant "And So It Is," music by Paul Nagle; and a pair... read more
Thomas Marriott - Constraints & Liberations
by Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz
Trumpeter Thomas Marriott keeps growing as an artist. He has released CDs at a healthy pace since 2005: an introduction for many perhaps unwary jazz fans to some warped country western flavor on Crazy: The Music of Willie Nelson (Origin Records, 2008); cranking an all-star quintet up in a modern mainstream mode on Flexicon (Origin Records, 2009); and letting it rip on a two-trumpet blow fest with fellow brass man Ray Vega on East-West Trumpet... read more
José Luiz Martins - Odyssey Mixtape
by John Ephland, DownBeat
Full of spice, bristling with energy, Odyssey Mixtape plays like a party album, engaging anyone inclined who has an urge to move, if not dance. Produced by pianist/keyboard ist/composeer José Luiz Martins and flutist/vocalist Alex Hamburger, the music pops along from track to track. Its Brazilian harmonies and rhythms spread across an eclectic mix of music styles. Very radio-friendly, these seven tunes are easy on the ears with well-played... read more
Hugo Fernandez - Cosmogram
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
A world wise/world traveled guitarist with multi-culti sensibilities travels the Abercrombie/Metheny route to world soundings. An expert and being laid back without falling over, Hernandez brings his crew with south of the border sensibilities right to the fore of contemporary, progressive guitar work that relies on features other than pyrotechnics. Solid listening stuff that'll keep those headphones glued to your ears. Check it... read more
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