Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Matija Dedic - MD in NYC
by Ric Bang, Jazz Scan
This album demonstrates anew that jazz truly is an international art. Matija Dedic, born in Croatia in 1973, began to play classical piano at age 5: a common path for Eastern European music students. He had broadened his interests by his 18th birthday, and he subsequently entered the Graz Jazz Academy. After graduation, he delivered his style of jazz while touring throughout Europe, Scandinavia, South America and the United States. He has worked... read more
Greta Matassa - All This And Heaven Too
by Chris DeLaurenti, The Stranger
Greta Matassa was dazzling at the recent Ballard Jazz Walk. She did what few singers dare to do--let the audience call the tunes. I walked in just as Matassa scatted with aplomb on "How High the Moon," raining serpentine ribbons of nonsense syllables that would have made the legendary Ella Fitzgerald proud. After a slow, succulent "Lush Life," Matassa plunged into Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Wave," faultlessly navigating the treacherous melodic... read more
Andrew Rathbun Large Ensemble - The Atwood Suites
by Paul Weideman, Pasatiempo (The New Mexican, Santa Fe)
Soprano and baritone saxophones open "Two Islands I" in a sprightly mien, like an awakening. Luciana Souza sings lines from a Margaret Atwood poem: "I could say it without looking, the animals; the blackened trees, the arrivals; the bodies, words, it goes and goes; I could recite it backwards." Tim Hagans begins a lovely solo on flügelhorn, kinetically abetted by drummer Bill Stewart, who is a constant but varicolored presence on Andrew... read more
Matt Jorgensen +451 - Hope
by LYNN DARROCH, The Oregonian
This is not just another collection of intelligent contemporary jazz originals by a group of talented Pacific Northwest artists. It is one of more than 80 CDs produced by Origin Records, the prolific Seattle jazz label, publisher and presenting organization, and it is distinguished by the qualities that many of the label's products display: great writing, a fresh sound and excellent musicianship.
It's also by Origin Records co-owner Matt... read more
Hal Galper - Live at the Berlin Philharmonic, 1977
by Editor, BBC Music Magazine
5-STARS This two-disc release has come about as a result of Galper sifting through his archives a couple years ago. It was a session well worth rescuing. Although dating back 44 years, it recalls when Galper was already established as a highly-regarded player, almost part of the jazz-scene furniture and thus sometimes unfairly overlooked. This concert (plus one track recorded just a few months later in January 1978) finds him on... read more
Scenes - ...But Not Heard
by Martin Z. Kasdan Jr., Louisville Music News
Guitarist John Stowell, whose collaboration with Dave Liebman, Blue Rose, was reviewed here in December, has long worked collectively with bassist Jeff Johnson and drummer John Bishop (part of Hal Galper's trio, reviewed here last month) under the name Scenes. Guest saxophonist and flutist Hans Teuber adds an extra dimension to this new album, with both his playing and compositions (he wrote or co-wrote four of the seven songs here). Stowell is... read more
Don Lanphere - Where Do You Start?
by David Franklin, Jazz Times
Don Lanphere was around during the glory days of bebop, recording with Max Roach and Fats Navarro as early as 1948, and we can still look forward to new music from the 75-year old tenor player. His latest, Where Do You Start? (Origin), recorded with his youthful group of regular band members, once again demonstrates his staying power. This collection of standards and originals provides opportunities for Lanphere to show off his mellow Lesterian... read more
Deep Blue Organ Trio - Wonderful!
by Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz
Chicago's Deep Blue Organ Trio mines one of popular soul artist Stevie Wonder's most fertile creative periods?the late sixties through the early seventies?on Wonderful!. The organ trio format is known for its unvarnished soulfulness, and the group's reverent treatment of these familiar hits gives a breezy lift to Wonder's always engaging and ebullient melodies.
Before about 1960 there was rhythm and blues in the record bins, which meant music... read more
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