Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Peter Epstein and Idée Fixe - Abstract Realism
by Stef Gijssels, Freejazz Blog
As a leader, saxophonist Peter Epstein released three modern jazz CDs, one Portuguese CD, a solo sax record with some classical music and some improvisations, a fantastic world jazz album ("Lingua Franca"), and all this in a quite irregular time span, of which most ten years ago and not much lately.
He is a musician with broad technical skills, open to many genres, and that seems to have been his problem in creating a specific profile.... read more
Brent Jensen w/ Bill Anschell, Jeff Johnson, John Bishop - One More Mile
by Larry Hollis, Cadence, April-June 2008
I certainly won't attempt to speak for all Cadence readers but when I think of states with a heavy Jazz scene, Idaho is not one of them. Lionel Hampton and the late Gene Harris had healthy associations with the state but having visited, it would not be the place where I would seek out a jam session. "One More Mile" spotlights an Idaho native in saxophonist Brent Jensen who has four previous issues under the Origin logo. He is joined here by... read more
Hal Galper Trio - Airegin Revisited
by John Barron, The Jazz Word
For a few years now, veteran pianist Hal Galper has been experimenting with an approach to jazz improvisation that he refers to as "rubato." This concept, as demonstrated on a series of recordings for Origin Records, uses familiar pieces and song forms and takes rather spontaneous liberty with tempo and tune structure. This may not seem like anything too out of the ordinary for the solo pianist, but within the context of a trio it would appear... read more
Upper Left Trio - Cycling
by Roman St. James, IndieMonkey
Cycling, the debut release by the Upper Left Trio, is an absolutely stunning CD. The piano trio is the most basic of the jazz group configurations, but its simplicity inherently increases the difficulty in producing music that is either particularly innovative or engaging, for all but the most casual jazz listener. However, with this recording the Upper Left Trio - consisting of Charlie Doggett on drums, Clay Giberson on piano and Jeff Leonard... read more
Florian Hoefner - Luminosity
by Brian Zimmerman, Downbeat
Florian Hoefner is a cerebral and harmonically daring pianist whose style crystallizes around jazz and blues fundamentals, but whose adventurous spirit finds him reaching toward new sonic territory. Luminosity, his starkly picturesque new album, makes profound statements from quiet moments.
Tranquility and calmness are the operative moods here, with most of Hoefner's solos exhibiting a hushed, soft-spoken quality. On "The Narrow,"... read more
Darrell Grant - Truth And Reconciliation
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record Recap
Double disc jazz vocal outing rounds up some serious progressive players for a set that mixes jazz, art, politics and more. The kind of set someone like Goddard Lieberson might subsidize in the past, this is now firmly the kind of indy set that has to be indie all the way. It takes a special taste to appreciate great music backed with deep meaning but anyone in the mood for something juicy along those lines will find their ears greatly... read more
Western Jazz Collective - Dark Journey: The Music of Andrew Rathbun
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
A collection of musicians who have the Western Michigan University in common, the 7 players on hand flesh out the music of saxophonist/composer Andrew Rathbum with much precision.
"Making No Sense" starts the listen with Matt Landon's frisky guitar lines alongside Rathbun's soulful sax for a timeless jazz spirit, and "Infinite Being" follows with a calmer pace of light drums from benefit much from Scott Cowan's radiant trumpet.
Deeper... read more
Rich Thompson - Less Is More
by Jack Goldstein, Blogcritics.org
Less is More, Rich Thompson?s sequel to last year?s trio album Generations, has the drummer following the same general formula in the choice of material, but now working with a larger ensemble. Straightforward modern harmonies, driven by dynamic percussion, applied to a mixed repertoire of jazz classics interspersed with a few original pieces is the recipe. Like they say, if it?s not broken, don?t mess with it.
Thompson, a music educator who... read more
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