Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Hal Galper - Ivory Forest Redux
by George W Harris, Jazz Weekly
Someone has been holding out on us...
This album with leader Hal Galper on piano includes guitarist John Scofield, bassist Wayne Dockery and drummer Adam Nussbaum, and has finally been reissued after being out of circulation not long after its original 1979 release. It's an impressive yet understated affair, combining quartet efforts with duets and solos. Of the latter, Scofield creates a rich aria of effects on a wondrous read of "Monk's... read more
Ben Thomas Tango Project - The Hat with the Grin and the Chuckle
by George Harris, Jazz Weekly
Playing bandoneon as well as vibes and percussion, Ben Thomas takes the ideas of Astor Piazzolla to the next level with a mix of sophistication and warmth on this album of originals. Teamed with Eric Likkel/cl, Ste4ve Schermer/b, Laura Coronel-Elizabeth Phelps/vi and Gabe Hall-Rodrigues/p Thomas puts the "nuovo" in "Tango Nuovo" with the fingers prancing on the dramatic "The Second Brick" and creating eerie long shadows on the visceral "Valley... read more
Brittany Anjou - Enamigo Reciprokataj
by George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly
RINGER OF THE WEEK Here's a rewarding and exciting trio album by pianist/composer Brittany Anjoy. She works with a core team of Gregory Chudzik/b and Nicholas Anderson/dr on almost all of the tracks, and her composing skills are matched by her warm technique.
The album is bookended by some electronic musings, with "Starlight" leading into an upbeat groove with dashes of McCoy Tyner, and the closing "Reciproka Elecktra" filled with... read more
Matt Jorgensen + 451 - Another Morning
by Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz.com
Matt Jorgensen + 451 has created a distinctive music, a free flying jazz sound with a 1960s rock sensibility, bursting with enormous chops. It's a mix of Ryan Burns' often out there, Jimi Hendix-ian keyboard work (wailing on Fender Rhodes, organ and Moog ), Mark Tayor's bite-of-lime saxophone tang, Jorgensen's multi-layered percussion complexities and Phil Sparks' deep in the pocket bass work. Mix it up and it's unmistakable on the blindfold... read more
Brad Goode - Polytonal Big Band: The Snake Charmer
by Editor, Modern Drummer
Don't let the "polytonal" name fool you, this is a nice and pretty traditional big band with some extra-expressive soloing (that's part of the "polytonal" ingredient,) playing very nice and well-conceived charts. Most of the compositions and arrangements are by trumpeter Brad Goode and they run the gamut from inside and swingin' to slightly funky. Goode's arranging approach is where more of the polytonal aspect of the band enters, but it isn't... read more
Various Artists - Modern Jazz: A Collection of Seattle's Finest Jazz
by Bill White, Seattle PI
With a respite from the harsh weather that had tied up the city earlier in the week, Ballard Avenue was alive Thursday night with the festive laughter of bar-hopping crowds sampling some of Seattle's finest jazz.
The snow and ice had melted, the winds had stopped, and the sky was clear. The eight venues participating in the Ballard Jazz Walk were comfortably full. Traffic moved in and out steadily, and there was always a free chair to be... read more
Joe Locke / Geoffrey Keezer Group - Live In Seattle
by Tony Augarde, MusicWeb International
Put together two experienced virtuosi at the head of a jazz quartet and you can hardly fail. Vibraphonist Joe Locke has displayed his expertise with Mingus Dynasty and bands led by such luminaries as Eddie Henderson and Tim Garland. Pianist Geoffrey Keezer joined Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers when he was only 17 and later became a vital part of Ray Brown's groups. Bassist Mike Pope and drummer Terreon Gully are less well-known, although Gully's... read more
Chris Walden Big Band - Home Of My Heart
by Jack Behrens, Bi Band Days
I've already selected my Large Ensemble Jazz winner for the 2006 Grammys. My ears and mind tell me the sound is better than some winners of recent years. He's that good, I think.
I'm talking about the rich, full-section sound of newcomer Chris Walden and his big band and a just released CD entitled "Love Of My Heart" (Origin Records/2005). This 16 chart, 74-minute tour de force offers a diversity of melodic sounds. Regardless your loyalties... read more
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