On the Seattle quartet's first recording since Hope in 2004, Matt jorgensen + 451 continues to explore a particular brand of jazz-rock fusion that is more subtle than your average pounding, thrashing, over-the-top variety. However, leader Jorgensen's fiery and excessively busy drumming often overwhelms and distracts from the group sound as well as the soloists. Mark Taylor plays mostly a sweet-toned alto, with a lyrical, unhurried and... read more
Hal Galper has long been a part of the jazz scene, having recorded extensively as a leader over the past four decades and appearing on sessions by Sam Rivers, Phil Woods, Cannonball Adderley, Lee Konitz and Chet Baker, among others. Galper began with classical piano studies at an early age, spent time at Berklee and absorbed much from several Boston-based artists before leaving for New York City. Galper began leading his own groups in the ?70s.... read more
Anyone who has witnessed a performance by master guitarist John Stowell, knows that he is far from your everyday guitarist. From the nearly vertical position of the guitar (not unlike the position of a cello) to the artist's expression and his closed eyes, Stowell is nearly one with the guitar. On this solo expedition, he plays both acoustic and electric guitars in the Portland, Oregon living room of his luthier, Mike Doolin. Stowell plays five... read more
Debut albums as leader don't come more accomplished or more highly recommendable than "Dark Wood, Dark Water".
Trumpeter Chad McCullough has assembled a three horn front-line backed by an accomplished rhythm trio that allows the full range of his writing and arrangement talents to emerge.
The sextet - Chad McCullough (trumpet, flugelhorn), Mark Taylor (alto sax, soprano sax), Geof Bradfield (tenor sax, soprano sax), Bill Anschell (piano),... read more
The bassist, composer and engineer Mike Pope has enjoyed a 30+ year career, and here we're treated to originals and covers with an excellent band plus strings.
"Misgivings" opens the 9 track listen with Geoffrey Keezer's firm keys that suit Pope's playful bass and Nate Smith's fluid drums, and "Steeplechase" follows with Roxy Cross' animated sax prowess adding much to the frisky energy of the Charlie Parker tune.
Entering the middle,... read more
Corey Christiansen plays electric and acoustic guitars in a collection of optimistic settings with a team of David Beove/b, Michael Spiro/perc and Colin Douglas/dr-perc. The extra rhythm pays dividends, whether on the acoustic guitared "My Sofiea" or electrical "Ambedo," the grooves are dug deep. Electric bass and guitar get fusiony on the Latin "Meraki" and the rock out on "Street Cred" with some hot riffs on "Awakening." Christiansen's... read more
WHILE THE TRAJECTORY OF A JAZZ MUSICIAN'S career often follows a somewhat logical arc, others take more complex and evolving paths. The latter has been the fate — mostly self-designed — of Dr. Anthony Branker, whose latest album is one of his most ambitious projects. What Place Can Be For Us? A Suite In Ten Movements is a sweeping opus with sociopolitical and poetic content woven into a musical tapestry — with his band Imagine — which... read more
When an improvising jazz musician relaxes the reins and lets the music go where it wants, the level of excitement can jump dramatically. Spitfire pianist/composer Brittany Anjou does just that on her new album, Enamiĝo Reciprokataj (pronounced en-äh-mee-joh reh-sih-pro-käh-tye and roughly translated from the Esperanto as either "reciprocal love" or "mutual breakdown"). Throughout the album's 10 original compositions, written across 13 years,... 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