Origin Records Reviews

Various Artists - Modern Jazz: A Collection of Seattle's Finest Jazz
by Adam Greenburg, All Music Guide

A nice compilation of the lighter and somewhat more mainstream end of the Origin label's growing catalog of Seattle jazzers. With a number of artists represented, the mainstay of the album is a focus with something of a modern bent. There are aspects of post-bop to be heard, and slight references to the third stream set, but far and away, the bulk of the material is based in contemporary instrumental jazz. The piano plays heavily in all or most... read more

Hadley Caliman | Pete Christlieb - Reunion
by Editor, Dusty Groove

A sweet reunion from the LA scene - and a great meeting of tenor talents Pete Christlieb and Hadley Caliman! Hadley's recent records have all been pretty darn great - filled with the soul and sensitivity of his classic 70s sides - and this time around, Pete's presence brings in a bit more of a hardbop feel - a tight, straight ahead groove based around tunes penned by both members, plus a few classic standards too! The group features Bill... read more

Doug Scarborough - The Color of Angels
by Jack Bowers, All About Jazz

4-STARS The Color of Angels, an engaging album by trombonist Doug Scarborough's sextet, blends music with a jazz heart and Middle Eastern temperament. Scarborough, who teaches at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, has worked toward expanding the jazz idiom to encompass rhythms and harmonies from countries and regions not usually associated with the music.

The endeavor's fruits can be heard and appreciated on Angels, wherein... read more

Piet Verbist Zygomatik - Cattitude
by Erno Elsinga, Jazzenzo (Dutch)

In the Netherlands, the Belgian musician Piet Verbist especially as the former bassist of the Jef Neve Trio. Domestically Verbist counts as an old warhorse who has played and recorded with numerous international musicians and he records for the American Origin Records label.

From his debut Zygomatik from 2012 to the controversial compositions on "Cattitude," Verbist makes a leap forward. The rhythmic accompaniment under the powerful mix of... read more

Michael Dease - City Life: Music of Gregg Hill
by Editor, Bman's Blues Report

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, City Life, from Michael Dease and it's super. Opening with Willow Walks In, Michael Dease outlines the melody on trombone, backed by Linda May Han Oh on bass Jeff "Tain" Watts on drums. Dease really is stellar on trombone stretching the track and Oh and Watts expand the palette nicely for a terrific opener. With a driving bass line by Oh, Dease creates a sonic environment on Movie... read more

Anthony Branker & Imagine - Songs My Mom Liked
by Anna Steegmann, The New York City Jazz Record

Dr. Anthony Branker (who turns 66 this month) is a man of many talents. He started as a trumpeter with the Spirit of Life Ensemble and took new musical paths after brain surgery for arteriovenous malformation. In the jazz world, he is highly regarded as a composer and arranger, a leader of three jazz ensembles, and an educator who has taught jazz studies at Princeton University for 27 years.

Songs My Mom Liked, his tenth album with Origin and... read more

Matt Jorgensen + 451 - Another Morning
by Peter Monaghan, Earshot Jazz

Also on Origin is Matt Jorgensen +451, one of the most impressive live jazz bands in this region, with the potential to impress far afield. Their live performances are at times stunning -- supertight and driving. On disc, as live, the quartet has great confidence. Listening to them, you really do believe that there is every reason why their sound is arrayed their way, which, when you think about it, is a most curious thing.

Another... read more

Hal Galper - Trip the Light Fantastic
by Chris Robinson, Downbeat

**** 4-Stars

Pianist Hal Galper's overhauled piano approach, which he calls "rubato," is in full effect on his latest trio outing, Trip The Light Fantastic. Galper's partners, bassist Jeff Johnson and drummer John Bishop, are perfectly suited for rubato playing, which involves stretching and manipulating tempo, form, harmony and meter. Melodies are often disguised and deconstructed, time and phrasing are morphed like... read more

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