Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Doug Beavers 9 - Two Shades of Nude
by Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
Trombonist Doug Beavers delivers a mix of tasty originals and potent arrangements of familiar jazz works in his second Origin release. Rich horn charts and robust solos highlight his interpretation of Herbie Hancock's "Tell Me a Bedtime Story," with the use of electric piano and electric bass lightening the sound just a bit. He reharmonized Clare Fischer's Latin gem "Pensativa," putting much of the emphasis on the rich ensemble sections, though... read more
Tim Davies Big Band - Dialmentia
by Ken Dryden, All Music
Big-band jazz arrangers are looking to cover new ground while occasionally saluting earlier icons. Drummer Tim Davies contributed the arrangements and seven originals for his debut Origin CD. Davies' writing for the brass and reeds in his setting of Gabriel Faur�'s "Elegy" is first-rate, also showcasing Andrew Shulman's cello, and bass clarinetist Jennifer Hall. His take on the Duke Ellington staple "Caravan" (re-christened as "Caravan... read more
Karrin Allyson - A Kiss for Brazil
by Dr Debra Jan Bibel, Amazon
Karrin Allyson has a clear, precise, pixie-like voice, akin to Blossom Dearie, and she has a particular fondness for Brazilian jazz ballads. Her new album is all about Brazil with special guest vocalist and guitarist Rosa Passo, who sings solo and enjoys trading scat with Allyson. The band consists of ubiquitous Brazilian drummer Rafael Barata; Cariocan keyboardist [piano, Fender Rhodes, accordion] Vitor Gonçalves; musicially wide-ranging... read more
Michael Waldrop - Origin Suite
by Brian Morton, Jazz Journal (London)
4-STARS The heart sinks a little at the threat of a concept suite celebrating the span of human history, then bucks a little with the thought that there have been some very good ones: Mingus's Pithecanthropus Erectus, Grachan Moncur III's Evolution, George Russell's The African Game...
This latest attempt, written in emulation of Buddy Rich's epic suites, actually only occupies the first 10 minutes of a long and richly varied CD and... read more
Trio East - Best Bets
by Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
Trumpet, bass and drum trios are not all that common. The trumpeter must have strong endurance and enough imagination to keep the set interesting, even when the bassist and drummer are operating as equals. Recording as Trio East on Best Bets, Clay Jenkins shows that he is very much up to the role, coming up with consistently creative ideas without any hesitation. Bassist Jeff Campbell and drummer Rich Thompson are both very active (particularly... read more
Benjamin Boone | Philip Levine - The Poetry of Jazz
by Britt Robson, JazzTimes
It has been a banner time for high-profile jazz-poetry collaborations. Last year saw the release of Matt Wilson's long-planned tribute to Carl Sandburg, Nicole Mitchell's teaming with Haki Madhubuti and Jane Ira Bloom's musical refractions of Emily Dickinson's terse verse, among other projects. But now there is The Poetry of Jazz, providing us with the revelatory phenomenon of the wordsmith being the heppest musical cat on the scene.
Philip... read more
Darrell Grant - Truth And Reconciliation
by Marc Medwin, Cadence
Darrell Grant's latest certainly shares a level of reflection, but it's largely a less somber affair, opening with the down-right joyful title track. "Ubuntu" is a bit stealthier, but it has an infectious drums-and-bass groove that positively exudes good will. So does "Fils du Soleil," a dedication to Tony Williams whose funk whispers, due mainly to Patitucci, through an eerie haze of chords and shards of melody. The veteran bassist even brings... read more
Scott Reeves - Portraits and Places
by Brian Keegan, International Trombone Association Journal
Portraits and Places is a big band record highlighting the writing and playing talents of Scott Reeves, and additionally Steve Wilson on woodwinds. While not specifically a "trombone album," Portraits and Places showcases some great playing from trombonists Matt McDonald and Max Seigel, and of course Scott Reeves himself.
The album starts out with "The Soulful Mr. Williams." The brooding textures from the trombone section... read more
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