Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Ryan Cohan - Originations
by Richard B Kamins, Step Tempest
Pianist, composer, and arranger Ryan Cohan has returned to the recording scene seven years since his last recording "The River." Not that the Chicago, IL-born-and-raised (and still lives) Cohan has been idle--he's appeared on a slew of recordings plus has been commissioned to write scores for several films, orchestras, and artists. Cohan, before the pandemic, still played throughout the United States as well as conducting clinics for high... read more
Rodney Whitaker - Oasis: The Music of Gregg Hill
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
The inimitable bassist Rodney Whitaker brings along Terell Stafford (trumpet/flugelhorn), Tim Warfield (tenor/soprano sax), Bruce Barth (piano), Dana Hall (bass) and Rockelle Fortin (vocals) for these songs that pay homage to Gregg Hill's rhythmic and melodic legacy with strong attention to detail.
"Betty's Tune" starts the listen with animated keys and frisky drumming, as Fortin's soulful and expressive singing adds to the lively climate,... read more
Josh Nelson - The Sky Remains
by Lynn Rene Bayley, The Art Music Lounge
Pianist and composer Josh Nelson's new album, The Sky Remains, due for release September 15, is a mosaic of his impressions of his home town, Los Angeles. Live performances of the music from this album feature multimedia film footage to enhance the audience's experience.
More often than not, programmatic music designed to depict a specific location or event fall flat for those whose experience does not include those places or images. In... read more
New Stories - Speakin Out
by Dave Nathan, All Music Guide
For their second album, the New Stories trio pretty much follows the same blueprint it used for its first album for setting its program, mostly originals with a few pop and jazz standards added on. The major difference from the initial outing is the addition of hard blowing tenor sax man Ernie Watts on some of the tracks. When he's there, he forces a change in the group's playing modus operandi. With hard bopper Watts on board, there's little... read more
Dmitri Matheny - Cascadia
by Carol Banks Weber, Coggie Ink
Dmitri Matheny doesn't ask a lot of you, dear listener. The WA-based jazz flugelhornist and composer does all the work, behind the scenes and in front of the mic — on bandstands across America and in the studio — so you can focus solely on the music and musical stories, anecdotes, and tone poems that move him, from time-honored ballads and stellar soundtracks, to his personal obsession and personal best, jazz noir.
You should see his... read more
Corey Christiansen - Outlaw Tractor
by C. Michael Bailey, All About Jazz
The reason behind Corey Christiansen's clinically precise guitar style is his experience with Mel Bay Guitar Instruction. He is fluent in all guitar styles, which fully informs his recording and performing persona. His previous recording, Roll With It (Origin, 2008), employing the same band as on the present Outlaw Tractor, was a sleek funk machine updating the soul jazz of the 1960s. Previous to that, Awakening (Mel Bay,... read more
Bobby Broom - Song And Dance
by Scott Gilliam, All About Jazz.com
The guitar trio is a challenging format for any six stringer. So often the end result is an album full of knuckle busting licks and very little in the way of substance. Veteran guitarist Bobby Broom avoids those pitfalls on his latest effort Song And Dance. Broom, along with bassist Dennis Carroll and drummer Kobie Watkins, avoids a noodle fest and serves the melodies the respect they deserve. Make no mistake though, these guys can cook.
The... read more
Steve Million - What I Meant to Say
by George W Harris, Jazz Weekly
Pianist and composer Steve Million creates an impressionistic album with cool toned guitarist Steve Cardenas and the support pulse of John Sims/b and Ron Vincent/dr. Cardenas shows his homage to the ECM sounds of guitar legend John Abercrombie as he works with Sims on "Waltz For Mr. Abercrombie" and solos well on Vincent's upbeat pace on "Situations". Million is delcate on "Azusa Dreams" and darkly pretty for "Open The Book", bringing a... read more
Looking for a specific review?
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.
Search Reviews:
Recently Added Reviews:
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