Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
James Moody - 80 Years Young: Live at the Blue Note, March 26, 2005
by Jack Bowers, All About Jazz
4 1/2 STARS When it comes to having fun, few events can compete with a birthday party. Fun is clearly at the summit of the agenda on 80 Years Young: Live at the Blue Note, recorded at the famed New York City nightspot on March 26, 2005, to celebrate saxophonist James Moody's eightieth birthday, and released on the same date in 2025 to honor the centenary of his birth. Moody, who, with trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, comprised one of... read more
Bobby Broom - Upper West Side Story
by John Barron, The Jazz Word
Chicago-based Guitarist Bobby Broom pays tribute to his childhood upbringing in New York with Upper West Side Story, his first recording of all original material with longtime trio mates Dennis Carroll on upright bass and drummers Kobe Watkins and Makaya McCraven.
Broom is in top form throughout, unfolding horn-like lines that are full of surprise, yet characteristically soulful. The disc's nine tunes range from straight-eighth rock and Latin... read more
Tom Collier - Alone in the Studio
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
One of the most eclectic multi-instrumentalists you are ever going to run across, Collier pulls the sum total of 50 years at this gig together with a set that has you rapt by things like vibe solos played with such an innocence and lack of guile you almost forget where you are. It's the chops---they're well done. Smart and sly jazz that takes you from classics to originals, he's been everywhere with everyone and it's easy to see why.... read more
Marlene Rosenberg - MLK Convergence
by Dan Bilawsky, All About Jazz
4-STARS There's MLK, and then there's MLK. In this particular context we're talking about a three-letter acronym referencing the musical union of bassist Marlene Rosenberg, drummer Lewis Nash, and pianist Kenny Barron. And in broader terms those initials obviously point to the late Martin Luther King, Jr. With MLK Convergence the sounds of the former meet up with the outlook and philosophies of the latter, shedding light on societal woes... read more
Nnenna Freelon - Time Traveler
by Nate Chinen, WBGO
On Time Traveler, her first album in more than a decade, Nnenna Freelon considers the passage of time through the prism of personal loss. The album is a tribute to the memory of her husband of 40 years, noted architect Phil Freelon, who died in 2019.
Among the more emotional expressions on the album is this cover of "Time in a Bottle," a posthumous No. 1 hit for singer-songwriter Jim Croce. With a sharp band arrangement by her pianist, Miki... read more
Rich Thompson - Generations
by Ric Bang, Jazz Scan
As this album?s title suggests, trios have been a mainstay in jazz for, well, generations. It?s a lot easier to gather simpatico musicians into a trio, than into a larger group. It?s an affordable combo; small clubs can?t foot the bill for larger groups. It also isn?t necessary to write the special arrangements required by bigger bands.
Rich Thompson?s trio is one of the newest.
Thompson?s career began in 1980, during the period when... read more
Thomas Marriott - Romance Language
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
Showing once again that his trumpet has one of the clearest, cleanest tones extant, Marriott fearlessly changes course again showing yet another facet to his interests and chops. A reminder of just how nice this can sound when played far from the maddening crowd, Marriott and producer Joe Locke raise their flag and ask 'who needs majors?' if you want to make music that needs to be heard without notes from consultants that can't play. A... read more
Bug - The GADfly
by Bill Milkowski, Jazz Times
Thoughtful, provocative fare by a tight quintet of alto saxophonist Peter Epstein, guitarist Jeff Miley, keyboardist and principal composer James Miley, bassist Roger Shew and drummer Brian Hamada. They stride into the alt-jazz camp on spiky numbers like "Gadfly,"
"The Ballad of Ned Flanders" and the hard-hitting "Dark Matter." The buoyant "Wishfull Thinking" and the swinging "Tumble," built on flowing unisons between Epstein's alto and Jeff... read more
Looking for a specific review?
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.
Search Reviews:
Recently Added Reviews:
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