Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Anthony Branker and Word Play - Uppity
by Dave Sumner, emusic Review
Branker has quietly been assembling a seriously impressive set of recorded music since focusing on composing and arranging. His talent lies in his ability to take complex music and offer it as simple expressions. What this means is that you?ll get very engaging jazz that is very easy to connect to and just enjoy listening for the sake of listening. On his newest, he has a solid line-up of Ralph Bowen on tenor sax, Andy Hunter on trombone, Elis... read more
Hal Galper - E Pluribus Unum - Live in Seattle
by Doug Ramsey, Rifftides
You won't be hearing Galper on your favorite easy listening station. The past few years, the pianist has used sonic density, astringent harmonies, massive technique and powerful swing to build intricate edifices. Galper's music is demanding beyond even the muscular bebop he played when he was the pianist in Phil Woods' quintet. The experienced listener who brings an open mind will be drawn in by a story teller creating layers of meaning with... read more
Geoff Stradling & The StradBand - Nimble Digits
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
The Los Angeles composer, arranger and keyboard player Geoff Stradling pens a modern jazz orchestra listen, where his excellent band helps cultivate global ideas into the 10 tracks.
"Blue Note" starts the listen with the flowing brass and meticulous piano from Stradling that emits plenty of soaring musicianship, and "Brecker Sketch" follows with the dreamy winds complementing the agile drumming of the lively climate.
"Baton Noir" arrives... read more
Tito Carrillo - Urbanessence
by Jeff Becker, Jazz Sensibilities
Tito Carrillo has released his second Origin Records album titled Urbanessence. Carrillo has composed nine originals and included an original from Phil Koceril. The trumpeter and composer mixes jazz, salsa, Latin jazz, gospel, blues, funk, and soul to form a magical blend of music he calls Urbanessence. The ensemble is Carrillo on trumpet; Troy Roberts, tenor, soprano saxophones; Ben Lewis, piano; Clark Sommers, bass; Jay Sawyer on drums and... read more
John Moulder - Trinity
by John Kelman, All About Jazz
While one can overstate the importance of parallel careers, it's hard to avoid touching on the subject with John Moulder. The ordained priest has also managed an active musical career in Chicago as a guitarist�most notably as a member of ex-Pat Metheny Group drummer Paul Wertico's trio for the past twelve years. It's easy to forget his spiritual leanings on albums like Spirit Talk (Naim, 2003), a standards-based duo record with vibraphonist Ken... read more
Todd Bishop Pop Art 4 - 69 Annee Erotique: Music of Serge Gainsbourg
by Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz
69 Annee Erotique gets extra credit for off-the-beaten-path-ness. It is a work celebrating the music of the late French pop songster Serge Gainsbourg (1928- 1991), by Portland Oregon-based Todd Bishop's Pop Art 4. Gainsbourg, whose name may not be person-on-the-street familiar in the United States, was a pop icon in France from the late-1950s to the 1980s, a musical renaissance man of sorts who delved into jazz, pop, reggae, soundtracks,... read more
Scenes - Destinations
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
A long standing guitar trio of Portland/Seattle cross pollination, their sound and vibe only deepens with each outing. A solidly burnished set that stands toe to toe with any modern genre highlight, this is sitting down jazz that gets you standing up and cheering. Smart, angular stuff that'll more than bring out the high tone, up market listener in you.... read more
Benjamin Boone - The Poets Are Gathering
by John Pietaro, The New York City Jazz Record
Jazz has had a century to flourish in the company of poetry—Langston Hughes and the Harlem Renaissance through the Beats, Umbra, Bob Dorough, the Barakas and Black Arts, Ishmael Reed, David Henderson, William Burroughs, Anne Waldman, John Giorno, Louis Reyes Rivera, Philip Levine and voices well beyond—and yet this commix stands boldly tenacious, seeking further expanse. Especially now, during National Poetry Month.
In his foray through... read more
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