Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Benjamin Boone | Philip Levine - The Poetry of Jazz, Vol. 2
by Bradley Bambarger, Downbeat
The first release from the collaboration of saxophonist Benjamin Boone and Pulitzer Prizewinning poet Philip Levine struck an unexpected chord: The album placed No. 3 in last year's DownBeat Readers Poll. The Poetry Of Jazz, Volume Two was recorded at the same sessions that yielded the initial disc, held the year before the jazz-loving poet's death at age 87.
While the first album included Levine's poems about such jazz figures as Sonny... read more
Metropolitan Jazz Octet - The Bowie Project
by C. Michael Bailey, Wild Mercury Rhythm
Like a melodic fragment, a foretelling leitmotif teasing with more to come, Chicago vocalist Paul Marinaro's recent Not Quite Yet (Myrtle Records, 2022) included two David Bowie compositions: "5:15 The Angels Have Gone" and "No Plan." Inclusion here pushed Marinaro's second studio recording over the top of a creative peak for the singer in preparation for an even greater one. Released a little too close for comfort with respect to the release... read more
Bobby Broom - Upper West Side Story
by Rob Young, Urban Flux
We?ve come to meet another chapter in the life of affluent guitarist, composer and producer Bobby Broom. What a joy it is to take the plunge, relax and listen to one of the most unique voices on jazz guitar. Throughout his music career, considered a prodigy at sixteen until now the native New Yorker with perseverance he has propelled upward through generations of great musicians to hone his skills and develop the essential qualities generated... read more
Tito Carrillo - Urbanessence
by Paul Abella, WDCB
Fun fact: the weekend that trumpeter Tito Carrillo recorded Urbanessence, I played the late-night shows opposite his group at Andy's. I got to see this group up close and personal, crushing every twist and turn on these compositions, swinging and grooving effortlessly, and bringing intensity and excitement to every song in their sets. So, as you can imagine, I've been looking forward to the finished product for the last year or so. And... read more
Michael Dease - City Life: Music of Gregg Hill
by Mark Griffith, Modern Drummer
A double CD set of Jeff Watts playing music can never be a bad thing. And trombonist Michael Dease has given us just that. The first CD of this two CD is a strange combination. Dease has given us a trio of trombone, bass, and drums. And while that might seem strange, trios of saxophone, bass, and drums are some of my favorites, so why not a trombone. "Sweet Georgia Gillespie" is a great track that lets Jeff Watts loose, and just listen to what... read more
Affinity Trio - Hindsight
by Ed Sapiega, Jazz Views (UK)
This jazz trio is simply amazing, with a unique combination of instruments - trumpet, piano, and bass. Interestingly, I don't even miss the drums. The three musicians mesh very well with each other as a creative music organism. I kept thinking they were amoeba-like, conforming to each artist's individual sound space. This trio played weekly gigs for a year plus before recording this self-produced debut album in a single day. Their collective... read more
Bobby Broom - Upper West Side Story
by Jon Ross, Downbeat Magazine
**** 4-Stars
Starting with the very first notes of "D's Blues"--a languid but powerful riff atop busy drums and droning bass--Bobby Broom bleeds simple, unadulterated blues from his guitar. He keeps it up, with a quiet intensity, for the rest of Upper West Side Story.
His use of clean, pure guitar sound gives his chords a bit of jangle, which provides an added depth to his comping and his chordal solos. He's not an... read more
Rich Thompson - Less Is More
by Michael Nastos, Cadence
The modern mainstream, straight ahead jazz quintet is not a format completely exhausted in originality as proven by drummer Rich Thompson, his cast of famed all-stars, and local heroes. Keyboardist Gary Versace and trumpeter Terell Stafford are clearly the front-runners of this date, with Thompson and Jeff Campbell in solid support, and Doug Stone?s tenor as an occasional interesting flavor packet. An associate professor of music at the Eastman... read more
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