Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Ben Black - Remembered Faces / Private Places
by Dave Nathan, All Music Guide
For his second album, Seattle-based Ben Black has chosen to offer a play list running from familiar songs from the musical theater through Irish medleys to obscure Armenian folk music. Present are all the trappings for a melancholy mood that seems to be the minor theme for this session. There's the floating flute of Brenda Kay Neth on "Chinar Es" and her penny whistle on the Irish medley of "My Wild Irish Rose" and "Danny Boy," with the gently... read more
Aaron Immanuel Wright - Eleven Daughters
by Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz
Wander into the parking lot of a high school marching band field tournament, through a labyrinth school buses and picnic tables, into throngs of young musicians?teenagers in small packs cruising on foot, gossiping, flirting, maybe throwing a football around as a cold November dusk settles in?and there always seems to be a backdrop of percussion, impromptu practice sessions, the marimbas and the vibraphones ringing out. It's a sound that carries... read more
Kobie Watkins Grouptet - Movement
by Jeff Potter, Modern Drummer
A fiery sophomore release from a swinging force. Here's some heavy jazz cred: on his last tour (2012), tenor giant Sonny Rollins chose Kobie Watkins for the prestigious drum seat. That says it all, but in addition, the native Chicagoan drummer and educator also gigged with the likes of Kurt Elling, Branford Marsalis, Joe Lovano, and Arturo Sandoval. Growing up in the Windy City, Watkins played in the jazz, Latin, and gospel... read more
Scott Reeves - Portraits and Places
by Doug Simpson, Audiophile Audition
There's inspired music coursing through the debut album by the Scott Reeves Jazz Orchestra. During the hour-long Portraits and Places, Reeves shows many inspirations, from pianist James Williams (his résumé includes stints with Art Blakey and Clark Terry as well as jazz education) to composers such as Aaron Copland and Leonard Bernstein. Through eight compositions (seven originals by Reeves plus one by Antonio Carlos Jobim), Reeves takes his... read more
Geof Bradfield - Urban Nomad
by Brad Walseth, JazzChicago.net
Sometimes the right combination comes together at the right time and the stars align. In the case of jazz recordings, success depends on the right songs, personnel, recording qualities, etc... Origin Records must be living a charmed life because their luck with Chicago artists has been exceptional. Most likely it is hard work and good decisions, but for whatever reason, recent releases from artists like the Kelly Brand Sextet and Matt Ulery's... read more
Les DeMerle - Hittin' the Blue Notes, Volume 2
by Dick Crockett, Sacramento Radio
A nu-bop version to what's happening then...now! This is hard bop with a west coast swinging so grab your sweet other's hand and do some half time. This is more physical, then cerebral Bacchus celebration. We played Bobby Troup's "Route 66." Let's be clear about this, De Merle would bring the house down in Vegas with this DeMerle-a-la-mena. You open and ratchet up a first listen on this new one and you'll know for sure. The DeMerle Band jumps,... read more
Emi Meyer - Monochrome
by Misa Murohashi, North American Post
Tokyo-based singer/songwriter Emi Meyer released her first U.S. album Monochrome in September with Origin Records, a Seattle-based jazz and classical music record label. For her debut U.S. recording, Emi combines music from a set recorded in Paris with Belgian pianist Eric Legnini's French quartet, and new originals recorded in Seattle and featuring guitarist Dan Balmer and pianist Dawn Clement. Born to a Japanese mother and American father, Emi... read more
Richard Sussman - Live at Sweet Rhythm
by Larry Taylor, All About Jazz
In 1979, pianist Richard Sussman's recording Free Fall was released on Inner City to some acclaim. Now, over three decades later, Sussman brings back his band mates from the seventies to perform on Live at Sweet Rhythm. Chief among them is trumpeter Tom Harrell, who gives further evidence that he is a genius of improvisation.
Besides Harrell, Jerry Bergonzi contributes much with his powerful John Coltrane-influenced tenor saxophone. All are... read more
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