Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Oscar Hernández & Alma Libre - Love the Moment
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
The Latin jazz hydra presents yet another side of his skills with a second outing that flies under this particular flag. A solid serving of smoking Latin jazz that positions itself in an up market vibe, this classy set is a delightful fast ball right down the middle. Professional and well played while leaving the emotion and passion in tact, there isn't a lick on this set of originals that you won't like. A well done ear... read more
Dan McCarthy - City Abstract
by Ron Schepper, Textura
Even before listening to City Abstract, it's possible to form some idea of where Dan McCarthy's coming from: on the Canadian vibraphonist's second release for the Seattle-based Origin Records, two tunes are affectionate tributes to Carla Bley and Gary Burton, and covers of classic material by Bley, Keith Jarrett, and Pat Metheny also appear. If a bit of an ECM vibe informs the album, it's in part attributable to McCarthy's avowed love for the... read more
Greta Matassa - Portrait
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
Away from recording for almost a decade, this regional winner with a worldwide reach (when she wants it) shows how classic jazz vocal is done right. With a great eclectic sense of material, Matassa knows how to dive into every note and find even more than was put there originally. A real pro that's glad to do all the heavy lifting so you can sit back and listen, you might as well let her carry out this agenda to the max. Hot... read more
John Bishop with Jeff Johnson, Rick Mandyck, John Stowell - Scenes
by Jason Bivins, Cadence
"Scenes" features a cool-toned quartet, playing lanquid post-bop with traces of the Scofield/Lovano group (they even cover an earlier Sco tune "The Beatles"). Each player is harmonically and lyrically fluent, and the group empathy is good. Their chemistry is especially audible on the long Tyner piece, "Blues On The Corner," thought the whole album is a cohesive and well-done affair. Mandyck has the kind of grainy tone and fleet fingers that suit... 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
Corey Christiansen - Lone Prairie
by John Barron, The Jazz Word
Guitarist Corey Christiansen explores the rich melodic legacy of traditional American cowboy tunes, with a few of his originals, on Lone Prairie. Although Christiansen has an acclaimed past as a straight-ahead jazz guitarist and educator, he really is a stylistic chameleon with a blues-based foundation, authentic in a variety of settings. His use of chord melody and gliding lines on "Streets of Laredo" is as convincing as his rocked-out,... read more
Bobby Broom - Bobby Broom Plays for Monk
by Joe Bendel, The Epoch Times
Like an ambitious ice-skating jump, interpreting the music of Thelonious Monk carries a high degree of difficulty for jazz artists, but those who nail it, are guaranteed to make a lasting impression. Yet, Bobby Broom makes it sound easy as pie on Bobby Broom Plays for Monk, his refreshingly laidback new CD tribute to the legendary composer-pianist.
Though he was only twelve years old when Monk retired from music in 1973, Broom could claim an... read more
Joachim Mencel - Brooklyn Eye
by Dionizy Piątkowski, Era Jazzu (Poland)
Joachim Mencel is an experienced pianist and composer, a respected arranger and producer of vocal music. But he is also the author of many interesting music projects, the most important of which is certainly the jazz cantata "Love explained everything to me" (for jazz combo, string orchestra, boys' choir and soloists), cooperation with the English violinist Nigel Kennedy, concerts with the American clarinetist Brad Terry. The original projects... read more
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