Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
José Luiz Martins - Odyssey Mixtape
by John Ephland, DownBeat
Full of spice, bristling with energy, Odyssey Mixtape plays like a party album, engaging anyone inclined who has an urge to move, if not dance. Produced by pianist/keyboard ist/composeer José Luiz Martins and flutist/vocalist Alex Hamburger, the music pops along from track to track. Its Brazilian harmonies and rhythms spread across an eclectic mix of music styles. Very radio-friendly, these seven tunes are easy on the ears with well-played... read more
Charlie Ballantine - East by Midwest
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
The Baltimore resident and guitarist Charlie Ballantine is joined by Quinn Sternberg and Dan Weiss for these 9 Americana tinted songs that aren't short on grooves.
The shimmering guitar of "Storyteller" opens with much warmth and grace, and "Runaround" follows with Weiss' scrappy drums complementing the meticulous guitar playing.
Landing close to the middle, "Strawberry Fields Forever" is a reflective moment that also benefits from some... read more
Andrew Rathbun Large Ensemble - The Atwood Suites
by Friedrich Kunzmann, All About Jazz
In a way, the Atwood Suites have been in the works for almost two decades. When Kenny Wheeler approached Toronto native Andrew Rathbun in search for a band in 2001, the former furthermore inquired if the latter would like a composition of his own penning to be performed beside Wheeler's "Suite Time Suite." Consequently, the "Power Politics Suite," which makes for the second half of the first CD, was born, with Wheeler's and vocalist Luciana... read more
Peter Epstein and Idée Fixe - Abstract Realism
by John Barron, All About Jazz
Abstract Realism is the debut recording for the band Id�e Fixe, an experimental ensemble under the leadership of saxophonist Peter Epstein, that has been in existence since 1997. Along with Epstein, the band includes guitarist Andy Barbera, bassist Sam Minaie and drummer Matt Mayhall. Special guests for the disc include bass clarinetist Brian Walsh and saxophonist Gavin Templeton. With minimal ideas as the basis for each track, the music takes... read more
Chris Walden Big Band - No Bounds
by Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz
Chris Walden has been on a heck of a roll lately, with two Grammy nods for last year's Home of My Heart, one of the finest big band efforts of the year. He also in did the orchestrations for the acclaimed Michael Bolton set Bolton Swings Sinatra.
Home of My Heart deserved all the accolades that came its way; No Bounds is an even stronger disc. Walden is a genius at freshening up the big band genre with sparkling arrangements, whether in the... read more
Thomas Marriott - Urban Folklore
by Stefano Merighi, All About Jazz - Italia
The quartet of Thomas Marriott in question is a beautiful synthesis of American jazz: Marriott Seattle, Eric Revis Californian, Orrin Evans heir to the school of Philadelphia, finally Donald Edwards from New Orleans. But the sources do not affect that much an ecumenical music, which lives on technical brilliance, on an "esperanto" if little jazz has to say again, confirms a wisdom and a listening pleasure beyond doubt.
Thomas Marriott lived... read more
Hal Galper - E Pluribus Unum - Live in Seattle
by Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
Hal Galper's working trio with bassist Jeff Johnson and drummer John Bishop has broken free of the typical expectations of a piano trio. Recorded over two days at the 2009 Earshot Jazz Festival in Seattle, Galper challenges the crowd to join them in their explorations. The pianist's wonderfully abstract approach to the venerable standard "How Deep Is the Ocean" avoids stating the melody outright and doesn't allow the listener to get used to... read more
Laurie Antonioli and Richie Beirach - Varuna
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
Sometimes you just have to wait until things are right. Antonioli has been working with Beirach for over 25 years, mostly on his stomping grounds in Germany when she was based over there. This set was begun 10 years ago and was only finished up recently, and it's just the two of them for most of the set. Even when tackling the chestnuts, Antonioli finds her art chick side, making this a totally different set than her Joni Mitchell tribute set... read more
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