Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
John Stowell - Solitary Tales
by Doug Ramsey, Rifftides
The CD's title suits the guitarist, a peripatetic performer who roams the world. I recently heard a musician say, "You never know where he'll show up." Although Stowell often plays with others, some of his most stunning work, as here, is unaccompanied. He alternates acoustic and electric guitars, but when he is plugged in he keeps his amplifier volume low and his attack subtle. The listener is more likely to be involved with the gentle... read more
Bobby Broom - Upper West Side Story
by George Colligan, Jazz Truth
I am constantly being made aware of the major holes in my knowledge: I'm pretty ignorant about opera, I haven't seen "Predator", and I couldn't explain the Bosnian War if you offered me a million dollars. And also I've decided that I'm not as up on the great jazz guitarists as I should be. I've only recently been digging Charlie Christian, and I saw Pat Martino live two summers ago. I know a little about Wes Montgomery, Metheny,... read more
Jerry Heldman - Revelation(s)
by Paul de Barros, Seattle Times
This double CD fills in a long lost missing link in Northwest jazz history. Recorded live in 1973 and 1974 at various small venues in Portland and Seattle, the music is played by a quartet led by the late, legendary - but seldom-recorded - Seattle pianist (and bassist) Jerry Heldman, who from 1965-68 presided over the Llanghaelhyn, a coffee house on Eastlake located in the turreted, fairy-tale building by the University bridge.
Heldman, who... read more
Christopher Icasiano - Provinces
by Dave Segal, The Stranger
Chris Icasiano has established himself as one of the boldest musicians in Seattle's jazz and experimental-music scenes as a drummer in the Bad Luck duo with saxophonist Neil Welch. Together they've delved into free-jazz maelstroms and more nuanced and somber pieces with masterly skill.
Icasiano's debut solo album, Provinces (out today), consists of field recordings he took during a trip to the Philippines, where his ancestors lived; he's... read more
Scenes - ...But Not Heard
by Chris Lunn, Ancient Victorys
This is Scenes' fifth recording by major NW jazz musicians and includes the owner of Origin's highly successful recording company, John Bishop, on drums. All the songs were penned by the musicians, starting off with the "C Minor Waltz" that has the author, Hans Teuber, on lyrical sax working above the Stowell warm guitar dance lines and the major voice of Jeff Johnson, one of the most lyrical bass players you will ever hear. Just listen to... read more
Laurie Antonioli and Richie Beirach - Varuna
by Grego Applegate Edwards, Gapplegate Music Review
Jazz vocalist Laurie Antonioli seems perfectly matched with the piano subtleties of Richie Beirach in their album Varuna (Origin 82698). Laurie has a superbly vibrant vocal instrument that she puts to beautiful use on this set. Phrasing, tone, pitch control and artistry are out front in the best ways here. Richie Beirach has not been in my ears much in later days (and I have no idea if he has made himself relatively scarce or I have simply... read more
Dominic J. Marshall - Spirit Speech
by C. Michael Bailey, All About Jazz
Did you hear the one about the English pianist, living in Amsterdam, blending a cornucopia of popular music styles under the banner of jazz. Well, that would be Dominic J Marshall, leading his trio of bassist Tobias Nijboer and drummer Jamie Peet through his sequel to 2012's Icaros (F-ire Records), Spirit Speech. Nijboer is a holdover from Icaros, providing Marshall with a rhythmic continuity present in both recordings.... read more
Keigo Hirakawa - Pixel
by Oza, Jazz to Audio (Japan)
Keigo Hirakawa is a pianist residing in Dayton, Ohio, with the title of a Ph.D. in engineering, it seems. Another album that resonates with me? It wasn't on my radar, but I'm enjoying listening to it thanks to a recommendation. By the way, it appears to be his third leader album.
The lineup consists of a quintet with guitar and saxophone. I checked the members on his blog, and except for Robert Hurst, I hadn't heard of the others. The lineup... read more
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