Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Michael Orenstein - Aperture
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
An LA based jazz piano cat t hat's paid his dues while being influenced by Herbie Hancock seems to have waited until just the right time to deliver his auspicious debut. Kind of smooth jazz with bite, this is top shelf sitting down jazz that moves and grooves with fine style and chops. Classy throughout, this is the tour de force you are always looking... read more
Thomas Marriott - Urban Folklore
by Andrew Luthringer, Earshot Jazz
"The job of a musician is to illustrate the human condition." On his latest album, ace trumpeter Thomas Marriott lays out his musical ethos. Marriott conceived the nine original tunes on Urban Folklore as musical story-telling, evocations of shared human experience.
While knowing the underpinnings behind Marriott's musical concepts may deepen the experience, it's not required to revel in the music itself - vigorous post-bop,... read more
Geof Bradfield - melba!
by Ric Bang, Jazz Scan
Unless you're a senior jazz fan, or you "cheated" and checked Geof Bradfield's website, you probably don't have any idea who "Melba" is, or was ... which is a shame.
Melba Liston was born in 1926, loved jazz, became enamored with the trombone ("chose it because it's such a pretty horn") and became a professional musician at age 16. She didn't merely play; she became one of the finest copyists and arrangers during the Big Band years, and... read more
Joe Locke - Subtle Disguise
by Brian Zimmerman, Jazziz
Vibraphonist Joe Locke's year got off to a great start - beginning with an induction into the World Vibes Congress Hall of Fame alongside Milt Jackson - and continues to get better with the release of Subtle Disguise, his 36th album as a leader. The album, which features vocalist Raul Midon, guitarist Adam Rogers, saxophonist David Binney and pianist-vocalist Alina Engibaryan as special guests, walks an ambitious middle path between emotion and... read more
John Stowell - Solitary Tales
by Ric Bang, The Davis Enterprise
Guitarist John Stowell lives and works in and around Portland, Ore. He may not be well known to the general public, but he's a "musician's musician" to name guitarists and those who know the music world well. Stowell also is a famous clinician who conducts classes throughout the United States and Canada.
This solo guitar album is his newest release on Origin; it's true gem for those who enjoy the instrument.
As it happens, Mike Doolin, one of... read more
Florian Hoefner - Luminosity
by Chris Maskell, Ottawa Citizen
Pianist Florian Hoefner's latest release Luminosity, which was released last week, is partly an ode to St. John's, Newfoundland. Although the native of Germany says that he was only "subconsciously" inspired by his new place of residence, the album's dramatic melodies and rolling grooves bring images of the area's stunning landscapes to mind right from the start.
Like many great jazz composers, Hoefner wrote the record's music with his band... read more
Gregg Keplinger and Rick Mandyck - Tribute
by Jon Davis, Expose
The sax/drums duo is not an especially common one in jazz. By its very nature, this combination lends itself to very exploratory playing, even when pre-existing compositions are involved. In this particular case, tenor saxist Mandyck and drummer Keplinger take on a couple of Coltrane tunes, Ellington's "I Can't Get Started" and three Mandyck originals. Keplinger uses his full kit, and isn't afraid to hit the drums, as on the trio recording with... read more
Chad McCullough & Bram Weijters - Imaginary Sketches
by George Fendel, Jazz Society of Oregon
Seattle's Origin Records has become known as a label specializing in original music. Sometimes the concept falls flat, but frequently it works quite well. Almost all the tunes here are by members of the quartet. What it ultimately seems to come down to is that McCullough is a scintillating player and an authoritative presence on trumpet and flugelhorn. His colleagues - Bram Weijters, piano; Chuck Deardorf, bass; and John Bishop, drums - provide... read more
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