On his third recording as a leader, vibraphonist Ben Thomas is joined by Eric Likkel, clarinet, Laura Caviani, piano, Clipper Anderson, bass and John Bishop, drums. All compositions, except "The Hat of
the Bearded Lizzard," are by Thomas, yet there is sufficient variety of styles to hold the listener's interest. Thomas runs the gamut of styles from the Klezmer inspired "Daring to Find Meaning in Flight"
to the bright samba "Patrolling the... read more
The Sky Remains is pianist Josh Nelson's tribute to his hometown Los Angeles. Each of the album's 10 tracks is a story around a theme with references to the city. From songs like Run, which is the story of runner Mack Robinson who came second in the 200 metre dash at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, to Pacific Ocean Park about the nautical theme park located on a pier in Santa Monica. Every song is a story: lesser known and mysterious tales delivered... read more
Phil Kelly One of the Best Big Band Jazz CDs of '03 January 19, 2004 Kelly moved to the Pacific Northwest in 1998 and put together a band consisting of the top musicians in that area. Finally, in August 2003, the NW Prevailing Winds (with guests Pete Christlieb, Gary Smulyan and Andy Martin aboard) recorded "Convergence Zone." Both the band and the performance are outstanding. This is defintely one of the top big band jazz albums of 2003.... read more
Tenor saxman Mark Colby has played, recorded and toured with many jazz legends during the past 40 years, including Maynard Ferguson, Gerry Mulligan, Clark Terry and Charlie Haden.
Although Colby isn't well known outside the Chicago area, he's a "first call" musician when name artists come to town. And while Colby has recorded only two albums under his own name, he has been heard on literally thousands of commercials in the Windy City. He also... read more
Alison Ruble is a sublime vocalist with an adventurous spirit on her debut CD. Gifted with a rich alto and precise articulation, she blends elements of pop and folk into her infectious arrangement of Cole Porter's "So in Love," while her sublime, deliberate and funky setting of "If I Had You" casts another chestnut in very new light. Guitarist John McLean and Jim Gailloreto's playful alto flute provide sublime accompaniment for her warm vocals... read more
The double-album City Life: Music of Gregg Hill is the third recording of Hill compositions that trombonist Michael Dease has released; and although 7 of the 18 compositions are by others, Hill is also a co-producer of the set. For this project, Dease goes way beyond his and fellow Michigander Hill's usual reliance on Mid-American musicians. Instead, Dease surrounds himself with bonafide A-list jazz musicians on these New York sessions,... read more
Aanvankelijk was het Jesse Dockx die zijn naam aan dit trio verbond, de inmiddels twintigjarige Belgische slagwerker die zijn opleiding aan het Conservatorium van Amsterdam genoot en als een groot belofte geldt. Omgedoopt in Mamutrio, verder bestaand uit landgenoten Piet Verbist (1961) op contrabas en altsaxofonist Lieven Cambré (1968), debuteert het drietal met 'Primal Existence', oeroud bestaan.
Of de albumtitel verwijst naar Verbist... read more
Yeah. They don't make many records like this anymore. The Hammond B3 organ is an instrument unto itself -- in the singular technique it takes to master the analog beast and the music that flows from its vacuum tubes. Even the genre -- the "organ trio" -- is a style that came into its own in the 1950s as the Hammond came into vogue. With Chicago veteran Chris Foreman behind the B3, this is "music of a time." It's laid back with a capital... 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