Origin Records Reviews

Chad McCullough | Michal Vanoucek - The Sky Cries
by Thomas R. Erdmann, JazzReview.com

Seattle-based trumpeter and composer, Chad McCullough, teams up with Slovakian and currently The Hague-based pianist, Michal Vanoucek, as leaders for a straight-ahead jazz quintet recording of ten original compositions. McCullough, who has earned degrees from the University of Idaho and the University of Washington, has worked in the Disneyland bands, and played piano and trumpet with the Glenn Miller ghost orchestra. Others he has worked with... read more

Michael Waldrop - Origin Suite
by C. Michael Bailey, All About Jazz

4-STARS Percussionist and big band leader Michael Waldrop has had a very successful relationship with composer Dr. Jack Cooper, late of the University of Memphis, Berlin, and parts unknown. Waldrop attended the University of Memphis for his master's degree (helming Cooper's Jazz Orchestra of the Delta) before completing his doctorate at the University of North Texas. Their previous big band collaboration, Time Within Itself... read more

Geof Bradfield - African Flowers
by Areif Sless-Kitain, Downbeat

The green room beneath the Petrillo Music Shell in Chicago's Grant Park isn't the toniest backstage. In fact, the brightly lit cellar looks better equipped to accommodate a fleet of football players than the cast of Chicago Jazz Festival artists. Saxophonist Geof Bradfield is beaming, nonetheless, and with good reason - fresh off stage from a well-received set with Ted Sirota's Rebel Souls, filling a coveted slot on the headlining state between... read more

Hans Teuber - Lucky
by Butch Berman, Berman Music Review

Highly recommended...

I first heard Hans Teuber with his sly, sweet, and swell sax work backing Kendra Shank, and his new release Lucky - is a rare gem. If there is a "third-stream" - Hans is the leader of the pack, and with a Brazilian twist that gets under your skin, ever so nicely. Best use of guitar (Paul Meyers) and sax together since the jazz samba Getz/Gilberto. You really can't get enough of it. Nouveau bass wonder Santi DeBriano... read more

Hal Galper - O's Time
by Philip Booth, Jazziz

Pianist Hal Galper's signature style involves bending and stretching pieces as far as they can go in the rubato style, and fully exploring where that strategy leads. For his sixth recording built on that approach, he again comes up with intriguing results, with the help of longtime collaborators Jeff Johnson and John Bishop on bass and drums, respectively.

The Trio's interpretations present an ever-engaging clash of form and freedom, with... read more

Clay Giberson - Spaceton's Approach
by Jan P. Dennis, Audiophile Audition

Relaxed, long-legged piano trio music of high achievement. 4-1/2 STARS

If there is a criticism to be leveled at this lovely music, it is that it proceeds at such a leisurely, unhurried pace as to lull the unwary listener into complacency. But hold on. Why not just juice up one's listening acumen? Wouldn't that solve the problem? Yes, but not everyone will either have the capacity, inclination, or patience to do... read more

Giacomo Gates - Centerpiece
by Richard Mayer, Espresso Jazz

With the release of this third CD, Giacomo Gates has made it obvious that he has a focused and consistent concept of who he is and what he does. There is no other male vocalist on the scene today whose commitment to the genre of vocalese is so steadfast, both in honoring its past and in helping to defining its future. I have had the privilege of talking music with Gates on a couple of occasions, and his command and knowledge of the history is... read more

Phil Kelly & The SW Santa Ana Winds - My Museum
by Forrest Dylan Bryant, JazzTimes, February 2007

Like their meteorological namesake, this California counterpart to Phil Kelly's Seattle-based big band is breezy, warm, and unmistakeably L.A. The first half of the program finds the 19-piece ensemble working hard-swinging modern arrangements, until the title track slows things down with full strings and a soulful vocal by Greta Matassa. From there the band cruises along on some light funk and Latin numbers before coming full circle, ending... read more

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