Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Piet Verbist Zygomatik - Cattitude
by Brent Black, Bop-N-Jazz
To refer to bassist Piet Verbist as cutting edge would be cliché, to refer to Cattitude as one of the most adventurous releases for 2014 would be an understatement.
Hybrid genres are nothing new. A largely acoustic ensemble that can pull from improvisational music along with soul, rock and funk and accomplish this daunting task utilizing their own artistic vision is remarkable at best. A trio joined by two accomplished saxophonists... read more
Richard Sussman - Continuum
by George Fendel, Oregon Jazz Scene
When CDs contain mostly or exclusively original music, I look for one primary characteristic. If I can?t find it, the CD is usually not a prime candidate for review. It?s as simple as ? a well-defined melody. If that?s old-fashioned, so be it. But I lose my sense of direction when I can?t discern a melody as a foundation for the improvisation which follows. I know nothing of Richard Sussman other than he?s probably a New Yorker (judging from the... read more
Courtney Fortune - Speak Love
by Ken Capobianco, Cape Cod Times
Courtney Fortune Speaks Love in Gorgeous Tones
There are so many female pop vocalists steeped on "American Idol" histrionics who want to out Mariah Mariah these days and jazz singers who don't have the word nuance in their dictionaries or think they have to imitate the husky tones of Cassandra Wilson or chilly remove of Diana Krall. So, few fresh voices are emerging in either genre.
It's nice to come across a talent like... read more
Aaron Lington - Secondary Impressions
by George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly
Baritone saxist Aaron Lington creates some wondrous moods on a collection of mostly duet sonatas with pianist Victoria Lington on this collection of modern compositions. Lington's tone and range are highly impressive, sounding almost like a string section on a solo performance of "Wings" that reaches highs and lows with the ease of a trapeze artist. The collection of duets are dominated by two modern pieces, the Concerto for Baritone Orchestra... read more
Christopher Icasiano - Provinces
by George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly
Christopher Icasiano plays (deep breath) drums, percussion , capi shells, synthesizers and keyboards on this collection of eight songs in two suites. The first suite, "Provinces" includes snappy snares with a dash of synth, leading to thick textures and sounds of space modules before drums flail guiding into hints of Tomita. Things close with a high hat mixing with more noodles than a soup kitchen. The "Taho" includes electronic percussion,... read more
Charlie Ballantine - East by Midwest
by Editor, Modern Drummer
By listening to guitarist Charlie Ballantine, I would say that stylistically he is leaning further to the Bill Frisell, John Scofield, Pat Metheny side of jazz guitar than Jim Hall, Joe Pass, Wes Montgomery. I offer these names as only an explanation of my perceived interpretation of Ballantine's musical direction. Bassist Quinn Sternberg and drummer Dan Weiss support Ballantine's direction perfectly. Mixing some of his originals with Monk and... read more
Pharez Whitted - For the People
by Frank Alkyer, DownBeat Magazine
EDITOR'S PICK - DECEMBER 2012
On For The People, Chicago-based trumpeter Pharez Whitted digs into the hard-bop bag and pulls out an 11-song set that?s perfect for a weekend chill or a serious road trip. The unison lines he plays with guitarist Bobby Broom on tunes like ?Watusi Boogaloo? are infectious. ?If They Could Only See? delivers a sweet groove. But don?t think this is light listening. ?Freedom Song? packs a punch fueled... read more
Les DeMerle - Hot Night In Venice: Live at The Venice Jazz Club
by George W Harris, Jazz Weekly
Recorded at the Venice Jazz Club in Italy back in 2014, this album is a swinging affair with drummer, vocalist and leader Les DeMerle leading a trio with Johannes Bjerregaard/p and Chris Luard snapping through some standards and occasionally joined by the big band era influence vocalist Bonnie Eisele on an anthological gig of American tunes.
In the trio format, Bjerregard taps into his inner Bobby Timmons for a gospel driven "Down By The... read more
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