Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
speak - Speak
by Jon Solomon, All About Jazz
Forward-thinking trumpeter Cuong Vu has performed with the likes of Pat Metheny, Laurie Anderson and David Bowie. He's toured the world and released four albums under his own name. After a stint in New York, Vu moved back to the Northwest, where he is now assistant professor of jazz studies at the University of Washington.
It's there at UW that he coached an ensemble that included members of Speak. After mentoring the students -- saxophonist... read more
Chris Walden Big Band - Full-On!
by Mark S Tucker, AcousticMusic.com
You can't blame Chris Walden for taking seven years to issue another CD. He's so in demand that the guy barely has time to change socks before flying off to front another gig, score a movie, contribute tracks to a TV series, or arrange for any of a panoply of big names: Paul Anka, Christopher Cross, Diana Krall, Michael Buble, Michael Bolton, Nancy Wilson, etc. With Full On!, the delayed follow-up to 2007's Kurt Marti Suite... read more
Piet Verbist - Zygomatik
by Dave Sumner, All About Jazz
Zygomatik has the fiery groove of classic hard bop, but it's not that simple. There is a rock attitude to this album, and it's got a Motown sway. This is the kind of album that can be pointed to as a celebration of jazz and an album that will be liked by people for whom jazz really ain't their thing. It's an album with complex elements and modulating sounds, but which hits the ears with a seamless cohesion.
These are the characteristics... read more
Deep Blue Organ Trio - Wonderful!
by Mark F. Turner, All About Jazz
Since the 1960s, Stevie Wonder's "My Cheri Amour" has remained one of the most memorable love songs in popular music. In collaboration with Motown songwriters Henry Cosby and Sylvia Moy, the hit song was originally titled "Oh My Marcia"?at the time, a tender ode to Wonder's girlfriend in his adolescent years. The two broke up, the song underwent a name change, and the rest is history.
The Deep Blue Organ Trio offers its own heartfelt... read more
Dee Daniels - Intimate Conversations
by Christopher Loudon, JazzTimes
Last year's aptly titled State of the Art teamed Dee Daniels with an ace quartet anchored by pianist Cyrus Chestnut. For Daniels' encore, her 10th studio album as leader, Chestnut is again onboard, but as one in a spectrum of stellar guests. As its name implies, Intimate Conversations places Daniels in cozy duo and trio settings, also featuring Martin Wind, Wycliffe Gordon, Ken Peplowski, Russell Malone, Ted Brancato, Houston... read more
Anthony Branker and Ascent - Together
by Kirk Silsbee, Downbeat Magazine
Composer Anthony Branker has six of his songs played by a capable ensemble, but he curiously takes credit as "musical director" as well. Presumably that means he handled the arrangements, but what else? Listening alone doesn't make it clear.
What is clear is that this is a good, if not groundbreaking, small band jazz album. The tunes bring to mind a milder version of what Art Blakey or Horace Silver's bands might be playing if those two... read more
Bobby Rozario - Spellbound
by Russell Perry, WTJU
From the first note of guitarist Bobby Rozario's new release, Carlos Santana sprang to mind and wouldn't go away. Quickly, this became less of a liability (hasn't Santana already done this) and more of an asset (I always loved this sound, especially those first several Columbia records). Recorded over a number of sessions, the instrumentation and personnel varies from track to track. Careful listening reveals that Rozario is not a one-trick... read more
Mimi Fox Organ Trio - One for Wes
by Cedric Hendrix, Cirdec Songs
It's interesting that Mimi Fox is the band's guitarist, yet she declares the album an organ trio. Particularly since the album is dedicated to the efforts of jazz guitar legend Wes Montgomery. Then again, Wes was known for making classic albums with organist Jimmy Smith. Hence, we arrive at the album's primary focus. With Brian Ho handling the organ duties and Lorca Hart's drums, One for Wes is smooth, jazzy, and cool as the other side of the... read more
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