Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Benjamin Boone - The Poets Are Gathering
by Brenda Nelson-Strauss, Black Grooves
Composer-saxophonist Benjamin Boone continues his fascination with poetry and jazz on his latest album, The Poets Are Gathering. The Cal State University Fresno professor, who has released two previous collections devoted to this pairing, notes that jazz and poetry have been inextricably linked since the Harlem Renaissance. Following the tradition of artists such as Langston Hughes and Charles Mingus, who collaborated on the album Weary Blues... read more
Carlos Vega - Bird's Up
by Hobart Taylor, KUCI.org
This Chicago based saxophonist/composer swings with ease and authenticity. Joined in a quintet format featuring the elucidating Victor Garcia on trumpet, the music often has latin rhythms, but owes a lot to be-bop as well, an 21st century version of the Machito sound. But there are also straight ahead melodies for the ages, like the gorgeous "Untitled Waltz For The Wednesday" which features guest artists Scott Hesse on guitar and Cheryl Wilson,... read more
Hal Galper - O's Time
by Rotcod Zzaj, improvijazzation
Hal's piano is just fantastic on this great jazz trio CD, also featuring Jeff Johnson on bass and John Bishop's drum work. Crisp recording makes it a true pleasure to listen to, but it's the shining talent of all three players that makes their music work so well. The energy is palpable on pieces like the grand opener, "Like Sonny"... just loved this one... the bass solo is quite simply astounding! The group literally shines on tunes... read more
Cuong Vu - Leaps of Faith
by C. Michael Bailey, All About Jazz.com
The order and presentation of music on a recording or in a recital are every bit as important in the music producer's skill set as is choosing what music to include. Had trumpeter Cuong Vu introduced his Vu-Tet's Leaps of Faith with the title piece, or "Child-Like (for Vina)," it would have been easy to dismiss the recording as a well-intentioned experiment, descending into noise and chaos before making its point. Instead, Vu and... read more
Corey Christiansen - Factory Girl
by Chris Spector, Midwest Review
Christiansen continues to carry his folk jazz guitar into Americana realms with an experimental edge, this time around drawing out praise from Andy Summers who thinks Christiansen is now kicking Duane Allman's ass, where ever it might be. Refashioning a boatload of traditional tunes told from the female Americana perspective, it's like they say, if you haven't heard it before, it's new to you. Having more in common with Ramsey Lewis' 50s sides... read more
Les DeMerle Sound 67 - Once in a Lifetime
by Georges Tonla Briquet, Jazz'halo (Belgium)
Young drummer who immediately scored successes from his teenage years, but whose debut
with his group was shelved for inexplicable reasons. That, in a nutshell, is the story behind this
unreleased recording. However, a number of big names contributed to this. Among them Randy
Brecker, Rosemary Clooney and the popular rock singer Genya Ravan (Goldie and The
Gingerbreads) at the time.
Ten songs that are all jukebox material. We hear a spicy... read more
Hugo Fernandez - Cosmogram
by Edward Blanco, All About Jazz
Mexican-born Hugo Fernandez is a modern jazz guitarist who follows up his well-received debut album Origenes (CDbaby, 2012) with the new modern-styled Cosmogram featuring eight sophisticated original compositions in a generally warm-natured set of light and engaging modern jazz. A graduate of the prestigious Berklee School of Music in Boston, Fernandez decided to move to Madrid, Spain where he is now based where he draws from an... read more
John Stowell and Dave Liebman - Blue Rose
by Philip Booth, Jazziz
On the title track to Blue Rose, the first full-length collaboration between saxophonist Dave Liebman and guitarist John Stowell, Liebman supplies the lilting melody of the ballad Duke Ellington wrote for Rosemary Clooney. Meanwhile, Lieb's longtime friend and associate offers warmly hued chords and fills. The reedman's full-throated tone on soprano is at once earthy and sublime. Hie and Stowell connect intuitively. Sometimes they move... read more
Looking for a specific review?
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.
Search Reviews:
Recently Added Reviews:
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