Heard a track from this on my local pubic radio station and was so blown away I had to park the car in order to give it my full attention and find out who the players were. East Indian violin of the highest caliber intertwined with equally virtuosic violin rooted in Western classical, Appalachian blues and Celtic reels, all grounded with gorgeous bass and tabla. The compositions are intricate and compelling, the playing is dazzling. The best... read more
Working the two coasts of jazz theory together, but using the Northwest as representative of modern West Coast jazz rather than the L.A. area, trumpeters Ray Vega and Thomas Marriott combine their formidable powers for good in a massive set. The two trumpeters have played together over the years, and have become stalwarts of the local scenes in their respective cities (Marriott winning numerous awards and recording numerous exceptional albums... read more
The D.C. guitarist Shawn Purcell is surrounded by some excellent players for these 10 originals that embrace fusion, post-bop and balladry.
The quick and dynamic title track starts the record with Walt Weiskopf's animated tenor sax amid Jeff Reed's swift bass, and "Quiet The Chaos" follows with a softer approach, as Chris Ziemba's graceful keys are met with Purcell's skilled guitar synth and wordless vocals from Darden Purcell.
"Gentle... read more
The pianist has concentrated on solo performance lately but returns to the trio format by way of this paean to John Coltrane. Accompanied by bassist Dave Captein and drummer Mel Brown, Williams explores four pieces by Coltrane and four of her own that pay tribute to the man she has long acknowledged as a major musical and spiritual inspiration. In her notes, she calls him "my light through the darkness." There is no darkness in the title tune,... read more
We sometimes forget how many world-class jazz musicians live-- and work -- in our midst.
Consider Bobby Broom, who happens to be the favorite guitarist of tenor saxophone icon Sonny Rollins. Broom has toured globally with Rollins in recent years, bringing his buoyant art to audiences who have applauded it.
But Rollins, 76, tours only at selected times each season, freeing Broom to hold various ongoing engagements across the Chicago area.... read more
Trumpeter Thomas Marriott has always been one of the brightest stars in the Origin Records stables, and his Human Spirit album wanders through extremities of both speed and composition before it's through. This is a rare album that showcases all of the players at their highest levels, in both solo formats and intertwined. Marriott and saxophonist Mark Taylor (who appears in many combination with Marriott) mingle their lines regularly, playing... read more
What is it that bassist Piet Verbist has with the cheekbone? In Latin "zygomaticum." The shape of the cheekbone has to do with the sight of the face, unlike for example the tibia which is much more uniform than the cheekbone. The word in the name of this quintet intrigues and makes you look for an explanation, that might follow when you listen to the music on "Cattitude," which is multiform. In eight compositions, Piet Verbist creates a... read more
The other jazz tradition has been around as long as the music itself, as Jelly Roll Morton introduced "The Latin Tinge" to his earliest recordings. Here, street level Latin pulses are delivered by trumpeter and leader Tito Carrillo and his percolating band of Troy Roberts/sax, Ben Lewis/p, Clark Sommers/b, Jay Sawyer/dr and Victor Gonzalez/cong. There's fire in Carrillo's belly as he sears with Lewis on "Fly By Night" and smoothly glides over... 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