4 1/2 STARS On January 24 and 25, Studio5 will host Chicago's finest relatively unacknowledged baritone Paul Marinaro performing music from his recently-released double album, Mood Ellington (Origin Records). Marinaro's generally weak national recognition is a shame. While he tends to organize ambitious recording projects (such as 2023's The Bowie Project), Marinaro is always up to the task, and Mood Ellington is not... read more
The bassist, composer and engineer Mike Pope has enjoyed a 30+ year career, and here we're treated to originals and covers with an excellent band plus strings.
"Misgivings" opens the 9 track listen with Geoffrey Keezer's firm keys that suit Pope's playful bass and Nate Smith's fluid drums, and "Steeplechase" follows with Roxy Cross' animated sax prowess adding much to the frisky energy of the Charlie Parker tune.
Entering the middle,... read more
"****" 4-STARS
A stalwart member of the Chicago scene, Marlene Rosenberg has made infrequent trips to the studio as a leader. Bassprint is her first CD in a decade, but it's well worth waiting for, and perhaps it shows the value of patience and persistence. Rosenberg is assured at the helm, nothing to prove, no chip on her shoulder.
Aside from two tasty tunes by Kenny Barron, all the music is original, showing the... read more
Why did pianist Brittany Anjou title her album Enamigo Reciprokataj, which translates from Esperanto to "reciprocal love?" Even after giving it a listen, the answer's still unclear.
Anjou's debut album, inspired by a Stravinsky ballet, is a strong, classicist piano-trio effort that nods to the work of Ahmad Jamal, Vince Guaraldi and even modern players like Cyrus Chestnut in its focus on melody and swing, while still journeying as far afield... read more
A tribal drum introduction opens the first tune on this album. The tune is called "Social Trust" and features a flute solo by Mattan Klein. This is followed by a guitar solo from Argentinian, Ezequiel Hezi Jait, until the drums of Dani Benedikt take over to present several bars of his own creativity. The group, ZurHub, was formed in 2017. It is a quintet of musicians based in Tel Aviv and New York. Their musical concept embraces the rhythms... read more
The art of intelligent conversation requires intelligent listening, as well as a certain give and take. What we have here is precisely that: unrehearsed, non-arranged, spontaneous conversation between a piano and a soprano sax, or rather, between the fertile minds of Bill Anschell and Brent Jensen. They are in such command of their respective instruments that, instinctively, at a millisecond's notice, they can duplicate each other's phrases and... read more
The erstwhile guitarist (for Sonny Rollins among many others) mixes original songs and covers of unusual sources?the Beatles' "Can't Buy Me Love," Jimmy Webb/Glen Campbell's "Wichita Lineman"-- in a way that features the strengths of the compositions as well as those of the trio. Uncluttered production emphasizes a clarity of sound that further highlights how it's possible to take a straightforward approach to recording and playing and in so... read more
Did you hear the one about the English pianist, living in Amsterdam, blending a cornucopia of popular music styles under the banner of jazz. Well, that would be Dominic J Marshall, leading his trio of bassist Tobias Nijboer and drummer Jamie Peet through his sequel to 2012's Icaros (F-ire Records), Spirit Speech. Nijboer is a holdover from Icaros, providing Marshall with a rhythmic continuity present in both recordings.... 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