On More to the Ear Than Meets the Eye, pianist Bill Anschell provides a nice set of pieces showcasing his technical abilities as well as his ear for composition and arrangement. Two different rhythm sections are used for the recording, but Anschell remains in the front regardless. While many pianists are trying to stay in the background more and more on contemporary recordings, Anschell comes out swinging. The album opens with a rendition of... read more
Who let these white guys loose in the church basement? Johnson and his long time improv pal, Hans Teuber, opens the lens to let some other youngbloods join the fun. Not quite arts council music, this is hipster improv done right, but even a Friday night show for this would be a sausage fest, y'know what I mean? It sounds like they know how to give the art jazz fan just what they are looking... read more
Zagreb, Croatia?s Matija Dedic is emerging as one of the most important rising stars on Continental Europe?s jazz scene. His modern piano trio performances with sidemen Vincente Archer and Kendrick Scott certainly qualify him as a significant up-and-coming jazz artist hailing from this particular region of Europe, if not the continent as a whole. It is a real pleasure getting to hear Dedic in action with Archer and Scott in New York City in... read more
Always great to hear John play in such an interactive trio! The CD features tunes written by jazz composers/players. "Black Eyes" is a Wayne Shorter tune. The guitar solo has nice triplets and chordal passages, nice electric bass solo follows before guitar and drum trades. "Three French Nuns" by Stowell shows a more angular and moody side to his playing. "Chan's Song" is by Herbie Hancock, it is a feature for bass with some lovely... read more
Don't be put off by the name. Intrada, composer / arranger Dave Slonaker points out, is "a musical form often composed as a prelude, overture or fanfare," one whose upbeat phrases give rise to an exhilarating curtain-raiser on Slonaker's initial big-band recording. Rest assured this is a world-class ensemble and there's no doubt whose steady hand is at the helm: Slonaker wrote every number save the standard "It's Only a Paper Moon" and... read more
Guitarist Diego Barber burst onto the scene with the 2009 release Calima, an album with an expansive sound enveloped in a rustic serenity, courtesy of Barber's use of classical guitar in a jazz setting. He continued that sound with the 2011 release The Choice, an album that saw him move from the sounds of wide open spaces and into an environment in which his guitar work could display a tighter focus and sense of detail.
His evolution as... read more
The esteemed drummer Robby Ameen is joined by Conrad Herwig, Troy Roberts, Edsel Gomez, Lincoln Goines and Bob Franceschini for these diverse and playful 7 tracks.
The 9+ minutes of "Fast Eye" opens with Gomez's lively fender rhodes alongside the swift winds and brass for a dynamic jazz climate, and "Una Muy Anita" follows with a calmer mood initially, as much richness enters thanks to Franceschini's animated sax prowess.
"Oleo" lands at... read more
There are times when you just want saxophonist John Wojciechowski, 41, to go on forever. "Elegy" is one of those times. The smooth jazz jutting up against the brusque cliffhangers of tonal disposition is among 10 very originally sounding tracks off the Chicago composer's new album, Focus.
Originally from Detroit, the saxophonist moved to Chicago and took it over since 2002. On Focus, he and his quartet - drummer Dana Hall, pianist... 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