Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Hadley Caliman | Pete Christlieb - Reunion
by Jeff Krow, Audiophile Audition
After reviewing both of Hadley Caliman's previous two Origin Records releases, Gratitude and Straight Ahead, I felt that Hadley had many bright moments ahead of him. He had retired from teaching at Cornish College after 22 years of teaching, and was enjoying playing in Seattle, leading a small group as well as playing with the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra.
Gratitude was recorded in 2008, and Straight Ahead... read more
Various Artists - The Cool Season: An Origin Records Holiday Collection, Vol. 2
by Andrea Canter, www.jazzpolice.com
One of the most prolific indie labels of recent years, Origin Records has helped raise awareness of the considerable jazz talents in the Northwest. The basis of their success is readily apparent on this collection of holiday standards and original compositions from a quartet of Seattle-area jazzers lead by rising trumpet star Thomas Marriott. Winner of the 1999 Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet Competition, Marriott joined the Maynard... read more
Hal Galper / Jeff Johnson / John Bishop - Furious Rubato
by Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz
Pianist Hal Galper spent a big part of his career working with some of the giants of the mainstream, players like trumpeter Chet Baker, alto saxophonist Cannonball Adderley, guitar master John Scofield and bop alto sax legend Phil Woods. With his Agents of Change (Fabola Records, 2006), a trio outing with drummer Billy Mintz and bassist Tony Marino, he moved out of the familiar flow to explore the "rubato style" of playing, an open, circular... read more
Michael Waldrop - Time Frames
by George W Harris, Jazz Weekly
Playing marimba, drums, keyboard sequencing and vibes, Michael Waldrop creates a percussion discussion with Jose Rossy/perc, Marko Djordjevic/dr, Gordon Stout/mar and a sometime guest team of Alex Peshounin-Sam Shoup/b and Steve Snyder-Ivana Cojbasic/p. The sticks get tribal and pretty on "Fractals" with African heat beating on "Leon De Palamidi" and the graceful "Notte Venezia". Stark piano is moody on the mysterious "Almost Beyond" and rapid... read more
Anthony Branker and Ascent - Together
by Kirk Silsbee, Downbeat Magazine
Composer Anthony Branker has six of his songs played by a capable ensemble, but he curiously takes credit as "musical director" as well. Presumably that means he handled the arrangements, but what else? Listening alone doesn't make it clear.
What is clear is that this is a good, if not groundbreaking, small band jazz album. The tunes bring to mind a milder version of what Art Blakey or Horace Silver's bands might be playing if those two... read more
Brad Goode - Polytonal Big Band: The Snake Charmer
by Christof Thurnherr, Jazz'N'More (Switzerland)
4-STARS Goode is an outstanding instrumentalist who enjoys performing as a soloist. He is also an exciting composer and arranger. His compositions cover a broad stylistic repertoire: There are traditional jazz pieces like "Goose Chase," "Ornithology" (which, however, doesn't develop in the announced direction), and "Cabin in the Sky," in which he works with the familiar compositional elements of the big band. There are also lyrical and... read more
Ben Thomas Tango Project - The Hat with the Grin and the Chuckle
by George Harris, Jazz Weekly
Playing bandoneon as well as vibes and percussion, Ben Thomas takes the ideas of Astor Piazzolla to the next level with a mix of sophistication and warmth on this album of originals. Teamed with Eric Likkel/cl, Ste4ve Schermer/b, Laura Coronel-Elizabeth Phelps/vi and Gabe Hall-Rodrigues/p Thomas puts the "nuovo" in "Tango Nuovo" with the fingers prancing on the dramatic "The Second Brick" and creating eerie long shadows on the visceral "Valley... read more
Phil Kelly - Convergence Zone
by Shaun Dale, Jazz Review
Composer/arranger Phil Kelly has some first call help on his latest effort, including Pete Christlieb, Gary Smulyan and Bill Ramsey on woodwinds, Andy Martin and Jay Thomas on brass and pianist Pat Coil, but while they, and others in the ensemble, offer some fine solos, it's really Kelly's behind the scenes and front of the room work that's on display. Kelly leads a 16 piece big band, augmented by string programming by Matt Bennett, through a... read more
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