Although Marcos Varela was born and raised in Houston, his roots go back to the tiny Texas town of San Ygnacio and the family ranch that dates back to at least the 1750's-- hence this album's title. From Varela's New York City base of the past 12 years, the active bassist has performed with such artists as Jason Moran, Geri Allen, the Mingus Big Band, and Kendrick Scott, while also composing music for film and TV. For his first CD as a... read more
Rough translation from German - This new album is the latest of the Quartet, which was published by De Werf Records in Belgium and Origin Records in the U.S. Previously "Imaginary Sketches" (WERF 088) and "Urban Nightingale" (WERF 108) were published and highly praised by the trade press. The audience was very impressed by these recordings by the pianist Bram Weijters. Weijters also part of the ensemble of bassist Piet Verbist called... read more
Few guitarists these days possess an identifiable tone; Bobby Broom's one of the guys who does. He's been a perfect foil for tenor guys like Stanley Turrentine and Sonny Rollins, as his #2 pencil thin tone mixed with a duster of a strum is like a signature from a fountain pen.
Most of the standards here are taken at a joyful and midtempo lilt, making "My Ideal" more wistful than longing and "My Shining Hour" brimming with hope.... read more
Not only is Seattle known for giving us Starbucks coffee, but it is the home of Origin Records, who gives some fresh sounding modern jazz sounds from rising stars.
Drummer Tad Britton brings together Hans Teuber/sax-key-fl, Jeff Johnson/b and Pete Fogle/g for some fresh post bop sounds. Most of the material is composed by Johnson, which explains the clever bass work on many of the tracks such as the freewheeling "Gone" and the funky... read more
If you are drawn to albums that immediately immerse you in a refined, poetic atmosphere, this one is for you. It stems from a particularly captivating artistic approach, during his week-long residency at the Dazzle Jazz Club in Denver in 2024, Dave Hanson took the opportunity to highlight both his piano playing and his arrangements for a small ensemble. The result is this quartet recording, his first in such a format. Joined by saxophonist Wil... read more
An initial three note-based riff sets the stage for pensive improvisations. This strong opening of the new quartet album by John Wojciechowski (Wojo) introduces a Chicago post-bop ensemble with a couple familiar jazz tunes and much of their own material. What follows is an absorbing, intriguing, and mysterious abstract statement by tom-toms in Dana Hall's drum solo (with a quote from A Love Supreme). After this "Call of the Kingdom,"... read more
LIVE REVIEW - THE NEW SCHOOL, NYC, 3/6/2012
"Here's how it's gonna work," said pianist Hal Galper. Appearing with bassist Jeff Johnson and drummer John Bishop last month, Galper jumpstarted the New School release concert for Trip The Light Fantastic with a frank rundown of the evening to come. And once the group delved into "Alice in Wonderland," it became clear just how the evening would work: as an eclectic stretch of... read more
So, let's suppose for a minute that Mark Murphy had a big Zen streak running through him. Then suppose he wrote inspirational lyrics that seems to have been run through a soul/jazz translator. You feel me? Certainly not our usual genre splicing flow, this is a natch for adult listeners looking for music that matter for people who care ™. Well... 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