Dave Glenn's National Pastime celebrates two of America's cultural institutions: baseball and jazz. While both are intrinsically identified with the United States, they are not often found together. [How about Dave Frishberg?...Ed.] Glenn's project is a tribute to players past and present; a love letter to the game; it honors the fans and ballparks where they congregate to watch the smack of the ball; and in the process the album venerates... read more
I wanted to mention how much I am enjoying the 2021 album "Rain Painting" by John Stowell & Dan Dean. Modernity meets tradition in this collection of Stowell's compositions and Dean's wordless vocal arrangements and bass playing. The guitar, bass and vocal sounds are all very much in keeping with the heritage of the jazz style. And Stowell's playing swings like crazy. His improvisation is unfailingly melodic and he doesn't tend to repeat himself... read more
A long standing guitar trio of Portland/Seattle cross pollination, their sound and vibe only deepens with each outing. A solidly burnished set that stands toe to toe with any modern genre highlight, this is sitting down jazz that gets you standing up and cheering. Smart, angular stuff that'll more than bring out the high tone, up market listener in you.... read more
It's a little surprising for Seattle's Origin label, heavy on instrumentalists and local scene players, to take on a torch singer in its portfolio. However, L.A. area songstress Courtney Fortune shows stronger development than many of the average lounge singers, combining with contemporary big-band maestro Chris Walden for a number of compositions that highlight aspects outside of the standard jazz repertoire. Her self-penned "You're Starting to... read more
This album came about because Steve Million (a five-night-a-week working jazz pianist in Chicago) began studying classical music again. He says that the experience took him back to an early version of his playing, before he had committed himself to jazz. Remembering the Way Home is an attempt to capture the freshness of Million's first discoveries of music, filtered through the knowledge and skills he has since gained.
It works. This... read more
Translated from Hungarian
Six young musicians: HERMON MEHARI (trumpet), William Sanderson (tenor sax), John Brewer (piano, Rhodes), Ben Leifer (bass), Ryan LEE (drums), Bobby Watson (sax) This consists of the band in 2008 with another 10 before winning the Origin Records / Gene Harris Jazz Festival Competition-T. The disc is played in your compositions. The number 12 is a young experimental momentum band presents their music with hip hop,... read more
This is definitely the Christmas CD to get if you want something jazzy and hip and not the same old same old. Of the dozen songs here, I think the only one that was familiar to me was Irving Berlin's "Count Your Blessings." Didn't know there were so many appropriate popular tunes for the holidays that didn't make the sophisticated listener grimace.
Clipper Anderson reports that he's known as "Mr. Christmas" around the house and has been... read more
Long time drummer serves up his debut trio recording rubbing elbows with friends old and new. A tasty, straight up set that takes listening jazz to new places, it's a fun, engaging and energetic set that anyone with a taste for an easy rolling time with some rough edges will enjoy. Expert playing and just the right vibe make it all a great... read more
This is just a small collection of the Origin Records reviews. Click here to view all reviews or try to Search for your favorite CD title.
Abate Berihun & The Addis Ken Project - Addis Ken
by Hanna Kay, Cult News (Paris)
Abate Berihun & The Addis Ken Project - Addis Ken
by Budapest, Rudolf Radnai
Abate Berihun & The Addis Ken Project - Addis Ken
by Editor, Bman's Blues Report
Jared Hall - Hometown
by Editor, Bman's Blues Report
Dawn Clement - Dear Ms. Dearie
by Editor, Bman's Blues Report
Jared Hall - Hometown
by Dee Dee McNeil, Making A Scene
Affinity Trio - New Outlook
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
Michael Dease Big Band - Return Trajectory
by Thierry De Clemensat, Paris Move
Brad Goode Quintet Feat. Ernie Watts - Live Your Dream: Live at North Street Cabaret
by Thierry De Clemensat, Paris Move
Maja Jaku - Blessed & Bewitched
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect