Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Brent Jensen - More Sounds of a Dry Martini
by Jack Bowers, All About Jazz
4-STARS Two decades have passed since alto saxophonist Brent Jensen recorded his debut album for Origin Records, Sounds of a Dry Martini: A Tribute to Paul Desmond, in 2001. To Jensen's surprise, the album became so enormously popular that the possibility of a sequel was envisioned. There was, however, one large stumbling blockâby 2007, Jensen had sold his alto sax and switched to soprano. It was not until 2017, after he had moved to... read more
Sarah Partridge - I Never Thought I'd Be Here
by Scott Yanow, L.A. Jazz Scene
After making a stir as an actress in Los Angeles, Sarah Partridge became a successful jazz singer and moved to the East Coast where in the 1990s she often performed with Doc Cheatham. I Never Thought I'd Be Here finds her performing ten of her songs, composing all of the words and music except for the music of "Around The Corner" which was penned by pianist Allen Farnham. While her lyrics tell picturesque and sometimes dramatic stories,... read more
Wellstone Conspiracy - Motives
by Adam Greenberg, All Music Guide
The mostly Seattle-based quartet Wellstone Conspiracy originally formed from notables on the Seattle scene backing up Idaho-based sax player Brent Jensen on a 2006 album. With their sophomore release, the group formed a more democratic name and continued their deep presentation of Northwest jazz at its purest. There's a careful interplay between the classic sorts of sounds encapsulating the urban nightclub aesthetic and more open, smooth, and... read more
Chad McCullough & Bram Weijters - Imaginary Sketches
by Herman te Loo, Jazz Flits
"A smashing debut, a deliberate likeable album, to win over the listener."
This quartet recording with trumpeter from Chad McCullough's Seattle is traditional. That does not mean that the group with bassist Chuck Deardorf and drummer John Bishop is mainstream, it's just that the compositions
that the two leaders deliver more right-to-earth feeling than the Belgian quintet [review taken from a double review]. Weijters and McCullough search... read more
Chad McCullough - Dark Wood, Dark Water
by Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
Like many artists who lead dates on Origin, Chad McCullough makes his recording debut for the label, joined by veterans like saxophonists Mark Taylor and Geof Bradfield, pianist Bill Anschell (whose career has flourished since relocating to the Pacific Northwest), bassist Jeff Johnson, and drummer John Bishop. McCullough's rich re-harmonized treatment of the Beatles' "Blackbird" barely touches on the melody before it progresses well beyond its... read more
David Friesen and Glen Moore - Bactrian
by Ric Bang, Jazz Scan
This album likely is meant for a limited audience: those who are turned on by the acoustic bass and two of the finest artists who play that instrument, David Friesen and Glen Moore. This is a duet concert by these two masters. Admittedly, both also are pianists, and half of the selections feature one of them on that instrument, with the other on bass, but the rest are bass duets. The genre is modern classical jazz, and just two of the pieces... read more
Mimi Fox with Greta Matassa - Two For The Road
by Butch Berman, Berman Music Review
I discovered Mimi Fox backing Don Lanphere on his lovely "Like a Bird" CD, and found her guitar prowess enchanting. Her sure-fire technique covers the gamut of all styles - she could play with the Paul Shafer Band on "David Letterman" one night, and dual it out with Jim Hall the next.
Greta Matassa's vocal style complements Miss Fox's phrasing like they were born to play together, as she wails, howls, growls and soothes, a very gifted,... read more
Alon Farber Hagiga - Reflecting On Freedom
by Robert Ratajczak, Longplay (Budapest)
Saxophonist and composer Alon Farber (a graduate of the prestigious Berklee College of Music) is today one of the leading Israeli jazz musicians. The artist is a member of the Israel Jazz Orchestra and is the founder of the Alon Farber Hagiga band, existing since 2001 , which debuted phonographically in 2005 with the excellent album " Exposure ". The formation has performed at the most important jazz festivals in Europe, including Red Sea Jazz... read more
Looking for a specific review?
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.
Search Reviews:
Recently Added Reviews:
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