Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Various Artists - Winter: An Origin Records Holiday Collection
by Carol Swanson, christmasreview.com
Winter is a solid jazz compilation by Origin Records, a label created in 1997 by Seattle drummer John Bishop. The label's focus is primarily on significant Northwest artists, and this CD is a perfect example of the burgeoning jazz community abounding in the Seattle area. Joining Bishop on this instrumental CD are Hans Teuber (saxophones, piano), Dave Peterson (guitar, piano), and Jeff Johnson (bass).
Slip this CD into the audio system, and... read more
Greta Matassa - The Smiling Hour
by Adam Greenberg, All Music Guide
Greta Matassa is something of a contemporary legend in the Northwest due to her incredible vocal skills. On this, her fourth album (at least on local Origin Records), she continues to showcase her excellent abilities. Her vocals are lilting where they should be, heavier where they should be, and she's one of the few contemporary jazz vocalists that can pull off a proper round of scatting without coming off gimmicky (as she does to good effect in... read more
Deep Blue Organ Trio - Folk Music
by Dr. Judith Schlesinger, All About Jazz.com
With the first two bars of Folk Music, you can tell that things are going to get greasy. Few people want greasy hair or greasy food, but greasy music is a whole other story: it means soulful and swinging and played with the kind of laid-back confidence that signifies true mastery. "Blues is the preacher, jazz is the teacher," says the group's website. This approach is one reason this CD is a pleasure from beginning to end.
Another is the... read more
Jared Hall - Seen on the Scene
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
Sometimes you just don't need anything more than a driving leader and a bunch of like minded jazzbos that brought their chops to make sure a good time is had by all. A real dynamo trumpeter, Hall leads with a sure handed lip guiding a cast of characters that doesn't need to be told what to do. You don't even need a libation to go with this because you won't want to miss a note. One solidly swinging good... read more
Dee Daniels - Jazzinit
by Marke Andrews, Vancouver Sun
Vancouver jazz vocalist Dee Daniels reworks pop songs from the past half-century on Jazzinit, a title designed to make the listener ask: "Does she mean Jazz in it, or Jazzin' it?"
The answer is both. She and her backing trio (Tony Foster on piano, Russ Botten on bass, Greg Williamson on drums) kick things off with a hard-swin rendition of the Earth Wind & Fire R&B number Can't Hide Love, making it sound like it was written for jazz quartet.... read more
Jeff Johnson - Suitcase
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
Who let these white guys loose in the church basement? Johnson and his long time improv pal, Hans Teuber, opens the lens to let some other youngbloods join the fun. Not quite arts council music, this is hipster improv done right, but even a Friday night show for this would be a sausage fest, y'know what I mean? It sounds like they know how to give the art jazz fan just what they are looking... read more
Clay Giberson - Pastures
by Domi, Republic of Jazz
An innovative voice in the contemporary jazz scene of the Pacific Northwest, pianist and composer Clay Giberson is part of a new generation that is redefining jazz. Emotionally compelling, the music grooves as much as it dazzles with harmony, lyricism and rhythmic intricacy.
Giberson's performances convey a deep appreciation of structure and form but pay equal tribute to the pulse and sonic landscape that frame his musical ideas. Clay's... read more
Michael Waldrop - Native Son
by George W Harris, Jazz Weekly
Drummer Michael Waldrop explores deep and exciting grooves with percussionist Jose Rossy joining in with his team of Martin Gjakonovski/b (and cameo work with Chris Symer) and Vasil Hadzimanov/p for a collection of mostly originals. The grooves simmer on the jungle pulse of "Native Son", with Hadzimanov sparkling over the galloping joy of rhythm. Waldrop brings a soulful shuffle to the driving " El Vino" and a simmering sizzle to "Belgrade" with... read more
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