Grudging good wishes to New Yorkers who are able to see and hear the world-class Scott Reeves Jazz Orchestra on a fairly regular basis. Everyone else must make do with the occasional recording (Without a Trace is only the second by the ten-year-old ensemble which made its debut in 2008). That's not nearly enough, of course, but on the other hand, better than nothing, so some gratitude is in order.
Reeves, a trombonist who also composes,... read more
Number Two:
Friedman's blend of Jazz and Middle-East music has had me enthusiastic all year long. An album that often soars, but doesn't forget to swing. This is the kind of joyful music that defines Jazz as something special. Many Jazz albums have a joyful sound, but rarely one as inspiring as Sunrise. It still hits me right square in the heart. I originally wrote that it was an album I wanted to shout from the rooftops and... read more
4 1/2 STARS Trumpeter Chad McCullough debuted as a leader in 2009 with the superb Dark Wood, Dark, Water (Origin Records). He's stayed busy ever since, recording with The Kora Band - inspired by the sounds of Africa - Tunnel Six, and the two horn, chordless The Spin Quartet, along with two previous modern jazz sets on Origin Records on which he teamed as a co-leader with Belgian pianist Bram Weijters, Imaginary Sketches (2011) and Urban... read more
Vocalist Ben Black sings songs of his study and practice of both Zen and Tibetan Buddhism on this collection of eleven meditative and uplifting originals. His voice is a mix of Barry Manilow and Bobby Short, sort of a high tenor, joined by Bill Anschell/p, Jeff Johnson/b, Dave Peterson/g, Mark Ivester/dr-perc, David Lange/acc and Branda Kay Neth/fl. He brings in some vocal percussion on the funky "Wunderland" and is quite soulful for "Mystery... read more
The trinity of organist Sam Yahel, saxophonist Joshua Redman and drummer Brian Blade has become an interesting association. The mission of the group shifts depending on who sits in the director's chair. And indeed that leadership role shifts. The group began as a cooperatively run unit known as Yaya3, but now it has at least two other incarnations. When Redman leads the trio it is known as the Joshua Redman Elastic Band. Here we have Sam Yahel... read more
Elmo Hope was a contemporary of Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk. He only lived to be 43 and never achieved much fame or fortune, but he was a talented bop pianist and composer with a style of his own. New Stories, a trio consisting of pianist Marc Seales, bassist Doug Miller, and drummer John Bishop, revives 11 of Hope's better songs on this CD, including "Dee-Dah," the moody "Stars Over Marrakech," and "Carving the Rock." Although their playing... read more
You don't have to be from the Northwest to appreciate this Seattle legend. He played with Fats Navarro and Charlie Parker in the 40's and returned to recording in the 80's. Don had a buttery tone in that mellow zone somewhere between Lester Young and Coleman Hawkins. The only other player who had this kind of sound was Bud Johnson - like melting amber, warm honey. Lanphere mixes master technical craftsmanship with the taste and wisdom of an... read more
For those well-versed in Indian classical styles, Western improvisation and geometric progressions in music, the album "Metaraga" is a fascinating melding of math and music, eastern and western music. For those who don't recognize all of the influences within this album, it is an interesting blend of sounds and tempos, with two violins (mathematician-violinist Purnaprajna Bangere and David Balakrishnan from Turtle Island String Quartet), bass... read more
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.
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