Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
David Friesen with Orchestra and Quartet - Testimony
by Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz
4 1/2 STARS Most artists, in most fields, move into their eighth decade on an artistic decline, their best days behind them. But not so for the Portland, Oregon-based musician David Freisen. The bassist/pianist/composer hooked up with Seattle's Origin Records in 2014 with the release of Where the Light Falls. Five more sets arrived in short order, top tier duo, trio or solo outings. Now, with Testimony, Friesen embraces the orchestral,... read more
Tad Britton - Black Hills
by Grego Applegate Edwards, Cadence
Black Hills, by Tad Britton includes a few originals, and a number of Pop classics not often, if ever, covered by a Jazz conflagration and, oh yes, a couple of Jazz numbers by classic writers. Bassist Jeff Johnson is hip, agile, and a great soloist. Tadd plays drums like he was born to play in a piano trio - he's busy enough to pull his weight in the threesome and can really play great time. Pianist Marc Seales has a superior linear sense and,... read more
Dan Dean - 251
by Richard Leiter, Keyboard Magazine
Seattle-based bassist Dan Dean is no stranger to Keyboard magazine: His sample libraries have won 3 Key Buy awards and he's played with piano heroes like Dave Grusin, Bill Mays, Joey deFrancesco and scores more. On "251" (think jazz changes) Dan invited four stellar piano buddies into the studio for a fantastic romp through ten standards and a George Duke original that will teach you how to play ballads, swing and funk duets with a bassist.... read more
Chuck Deardorf - Perception
by Paul Rauch, All About jazz
Before the tech revolution that has ushered in an era of unprecedented growth and global recognition, the city of Seattle was a bit of an outpost in the world of jazz. Since the 1920s, the city has enjoyed a vibrant and innovative jazz scene, often resulting in local musicians backing major international touring artists. The emerald city has spawned such renowned jazz icons as Quincy Jones, Ray Charles, Larry Coryell and Ernestine Anderson as... read more
Rodney Whitaker - Mosaic: The Music of Gregg Hill
by Ayana Contreras, DownBeat
4-STARS From the opening title track, this album is a declaration of mastery. It's also a formidable showcase to the collective strength of this combo as well as of Gregg Hill's compositions: It's all killer, no filler. "Mosaic" is a bouncy, juicy number held down by the alchemy present in the interplay between Whitaker's walking bass line that's sharp as a fresh straight razor and Dana Hall's simply effervescent drumming style. Each... read more
Dawn Clement - Tandem
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
A real piano left fielder, Clement teams up for duets in various formats with real hitter pals of hers she admires. Even the chestnuts on parade take on a new life for the left leaning ears. Not for the feint of heart, this is one of those excursions where so little can say so... read more
Michael Dease - The Other Shoe: The Music of Gregg Hill
by John McDonough, DownBeat
Michael Dease drops The Other Shoe only eight months after his last, Next Best Thing, which was a neat and literate little small-band bouquet. This time, the front line is smaller with Dease on trombone (and occasionally baritone sax) and newcomer Virginia MacDonald on clarinet, an unlikely but compatible twosome.
Focusing on the compositions of Gregg Hill, the program will be unfamiliar to most, giving listeners open-ended... read more
Nnenna Freelon - Beneath the Skin
by George W Harris, Jazz Weekly
Ringer of the Week! Vocalist Nnenna Freelon has had a career that could easily be divided into two eras. Her early career had her create albums that mixed soul, R&B and smooth jazz in an irresistible fashion. Around 2012, she seemed to have taken a break from recording and touring, and has since returned to the scene with a more reflective, thoughtful and world-wise fragrance to her sound. This recent release with Alan Pasqua/p-key,... read more
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