Bass trumpeter Ryan Shultz's debut as a leader, Hair Dryers, is an enjoyable look back at the jazz-fusion movement. A heavily electrified atmosphere envelops the songs that the group interprets with a deft balance of elegance and an organic vigor. Shultz, who penned most of the music, wields his instrument with remarkable agility and coaxes out of it a sinewy sound with an understated passion. The soulful title track, reminiscent of... read more
Best of 2002: Top of the Portland pop
01/03/03
"Upper Road," Clay Giberson (Origin Records): A young jazz pianist who plays in Dan Balmer's Go By Train trio, Giberson's previous solo album, "Mirador," was a strong straight-ahead set. Here, though, he fashions a more contemporary sound that has the intelligence, lyricism, depth and accessibility to appeal to fans of, say, Pat Metheny. Balmer, drummer Carlton Jackson and others lend a hand,... read more
Piet Verbist has an effortless lyricism on double bass. He's expressive without being showy, subtle without sacrificing resonance, and possesses an unerring talent for finding the most direct route to the heart of a melody. This trio session with guitarist Hendrik Braeckman and drummer Lionel Beuvens displays those qualities in a laid-back setting. His excellent 2012 release Zygomatik, with a larger ensemble, reveals the way those qualities... read more
Origin Suite is a swinging, grooving big band disc with drummer, vibraphonist, and composer Michael Waldrop adding thoughtful support under some fine frontline solos. Waldrop works out over the Latin flavors of "Origin Suite: 3) Al Final de la Noche" with sensitivity and wonderfully controlled snare and tom interplay.... read more
Recorded at the Venice Jazz Club in Italy back in 2014, this album is a swinging affair with drummer, vocalist and leader Les DeMerle leading a trio with Johannes Bjerregaard/p and Chris Luard snapping through some standards and occasionally joined by the big band era influence vocalist Bonnie Eisele on an anthological gig of American tunes.
In the trio format, Bjerregard taps into his inner Bobby Timmons for a gospel driven "Down By The... read more
Drummer / vibraphonist Michael Waldrop 's intriguing Origin Suite (deftly arranged by Jack Cooper) sweeps away musical boundaries to make its points, one of which is that big-band jazz needn't be ensnared in a time warp but is capable of changing with the times to engender songs that are as aesthetically pleasing as they are thematically stylish.
The three-movement suite, written to feature Waldrop on drums and vibes, calls to mind in its... read more
4-STARS The storyline for the Pacific Northwest-based band Scenes began in 1983, when drummer John Bishop and guitarist John Stowell began playing together in Portland and Seattle. When bassist Jeff Johnson arrived in Seattle in 1989, he began playing a weekly trio gig with Bishop and tenor saxophonist Rick Mandyck. Stowell, already frequently traveling abroad to play and teach, would drop by every so often to play.
The quartet... read more
A fixture on the Chicago scene, versatile bassist-composer-bandleader Marlene Rosenberg is joined on the smart, eminently swinging set by three Windy City transplants: guitarist Scott Hesse, Parisia-born drummer Makaya McCraven and the fine saxophonist Geof Bradfield. Rosenberg reveals key influences -- namely Thelonious Monk and Wayne Shorter -- on "Tale of Two Monk Keys," which points up her woody, robust upright tone, and on the mysterious... 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