Oh, sure, everyone sings about LA but how many times have you heard people play about LA? Especially with a stellar crew standing behind them at all levels? An impressionistic musical look at facets of LA, it's a much gentler outing than you might guess would be lurking here. Put together by a local native that really loves his environment, this will open your ears to a jazzy, LA you probably never considered. Well... read more
The veteran jazz guitarist (and frequent accompaniment for Dr. John and Sonny Rollins) brings his unique touch as a leader to an impressive range of songs from outside the "typical" jazz spectrum. With masterful skill, he reinvents the Beatles' "Can't Buy Me Love" as a swing romp, even finding ways to echo "A Love Supreme." "Where is the Love" gets a lyrical ballad treatment, while he and his rhythm section hop and skip through the theme to the... read more
When Dana Hall talks about global connections or musical nuances, his words convey a quiet authority. The drummer's background - which embraced equally intense levels of science and technology alongside music and scholarship - has provided him with a unique perspective on those large and small concepts. And Hall's recent CD debut as a quintet leader, Into The Light (Origin), shows how he blends those disparate ideas.
Today, Hall is... read more
The late Bill Evans was so celebrated a pianist that even some partisans may overlook the fact that he was also a splendid composer with a number of oft-revisited jazz themes to his credit. Saxophonist / arranger Jim Norton hasn't forgotten, and has entrusted Time Remembered, his debut album as leader of the Jim Norton Collective, to music written and sometimes performed by Evans (with one exception, to be explained in due course).
These... read more
In the beginning, we had Red Norvo, followed by Lionel Hampton, Magie Hyams, Terry Gibbs, Milt Jackson, Cal Tjader and Gary Burton. They've now been joined by Joe Locke. All are jazz vibraphone artists.
Although a relative youngster (still in is 40s), Locke has been playing the instrument for more than 30 years; his fame has risen during the most recent decade. He began playing with the "big boys" - Gillespie, for example - while still... read more
It's a little surprising for Seattle's Origin label, heavy on instrumentalists and local scene players, to take on a torch singer in its portfolio. However, L.A. area songstress Courtney Fortune shows stronger development than many of the average lounge singers, combining with contemporary big-band maestro Chris Walden for a number of compositions that highlight aspects outside of the standard jazz repertoire. Her self-penned "You're Starting to... read more
To summarize this 2006 release first: This is an absolutely superb piano trio delivering a magnificent program. I've listened to this disc numerous times, both on my dedicated home system and in the car. One of my first impressions was how well the group was captured by the engineer. I then noticed that the HDCD indicator light was glowing on my DAC. Although there is no indication in the packaging, this CD is HDCD encoded. One needs not... read more
Sixteenth and Seventeenth Century vocal music with lute or theorbo has been enjoying a modern renaissance as evidenced by the recent releases of Monika Mauch and Nigel North's Musical Banquet (ECM, 2008) and Nigel North's Dowland recordings for Naxos. This is period music that immediately evokes images such as those captured in Ken Follett's Pillars of the Earth (William Morrow, 1989) and its sequel World Without End (Penguin, 2007). This is... read more
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.
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