Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Matt Otto - Umbra
by Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz
This music—nine Matt Otto originals—has the feeling of shadowy sounds. Shapes without defined borders emerge. On the opener, "Little Things," the core trio—the leader plus bassist Jeff Harshbarger and drummer John Kizilarmut—are joined by Fender Rhodes player Matt Villinger and guitarist Alex Frank. The electronic resonance gives the sound an alluring and shadowy blur, as does the guest guitarist.
Saxophonist Matt Otto boasts a large... read more
Hal Galper - Live at the Berlin Philharmonic, 1977
by Cedric Hendrix, Cirdec Songs
This record can really be summed up in two words: IN-SANE!!! Not only is Hal Galper an amazing pianist with a raw aggressive tone one might compare to Keith Jarrett, but his inclusion of the legendary Brecker brothers (Randy on trumpet and flugelhorn and Michael on tenor sax) was nothing short of inspired. Everyone is given an equal chance to shine, and no one wastes his opportunity. Bassist Wayne Dockery and drummer Bob Moses are equally rock... read more
Jessica Williams - With Love
by Jerome Wilson, Cadence
According to Jessica Williams' liner notes, it's a bit of a miracle that this CD even exists. In the last couple of years she has had to deal with the collapse of her lumbar spine and extensive reconstructive surgery, leaving her in a state where she wasn't sure if she would even walk again much less play the piano. Given all that, the fact this solo recital is all at slow tempos is completely understandable. Within that framework her playing... read more
Alon Farber Hagiga - Dreams I Dream
by Thierry De Clemensat, Paris Move
A Dream in Eight Movements: Alon Farber's Hagiga and the Architecture of Imagination
5-STARS What could be more beautiful than surrendering oneself to the unexpected, being swept into the creative universe of an artist whose vision is at once personal and expansive? For some, Alon Farber is a familiar name, known through previous recordings. For others, like myself, his music remained a whispered rumor until recently. In 2024,... read more
Scott Reeves Quintet - The Alchemist
by Euan Dixon, Jazz Views (UK)
Readers in the UK may not be familiar with the work of Scott Reeves. Indeed, until I received a copy of this intriguing recording he was an unknown quantity as far as I was concerned. Let me tell you that it turns out he is an esteemed scholar/performer recently retired from full time academic work and active on the New York scene where he performs with many better known luminaries as well as playing trombone in the big bands of Dave Liebman and... read more
Eddie Allen and PUSH - The Rhythm
by Terrell K. Holmes, The New York City Jazz Record
Eddie Allen's top-flight band Push—Allen (trumpet), Jon Beshay (tenor), Misha Tsiganov (keyboards), Tyler Bullock II (piano), Kenny Davis (bass), EJ Strickland (drums) and guest Steve Turre (trombone)—really brings it on The Rhythm, an energetic album that displays the leader's formidable skills as producer, arranger and composer.
The Afro-Cuban inflected title track exemplifies how Allen adeptly manipulates rhythm, making it flexible in... read more
Ben Thomas Tango Project - The Hat with the Grin and the Chuckle
by Geoffrey Himes, Hard Rain & Pink Cadillacs
When the musician of one country tackles the music of another country, it's always not quite right. Often that results in the embarrassingly ersatz, but sometimes—as when the Beatles adapted Chuck Berry or Emmylou Harris adapted the Beatles—that "not quite right" results in something wonderfully new. That's the case when American Ben Thomas revises Argentinian tango music on this and previous albums. Playing the traditional, accordion-like... read more
Chris Walden Big Band - Home Of My Heart
by Jeff Krow, Audiophile Audition
Chris Walden is a film score writer from Los Angeles and at a young (for a big band leader) 38, has hit a home run with his big band Origin cd, Home of My Heart. Recorded at the venerable Capitol Studios in Hollywood and featuring the cream of the crop top LA session men, Walden's CD swings mightily and his big band connects on a mix of well known big band standards as well as Walden originals. The maturity level of Walden is impressive and the... read more
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