Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Ben Thomas Tango Project - Eternal Aporia
by Angela Ballhorn, Jazz 'N' More (Switzerland)
4-STARS Sometimes life takes strange paths. 15 years ago, Ben Thomas would not have thought that his passion for tango dancing and the resulting interest in this music would lead him to this project. Thomas sets melodies and rhythms in his compositions on both the vibraphone and the bandoneon, his colleagues on the violin and clarinet play along magically, while the bass is responsible for the clear rhythmic accents. All elements of... read more
Randy Halberstadt - Flash Point
by Tim Taylor, Audiophile Audition
Pianist Randy Halberstadt is a major player in the Pacific Northwest Jazz Scene. Flash Point is another fine presentation of post-bop jazz coming out of Seattle. Randy recorded this album with his working trio of Jeff Johnson-bass and Mark Ivester ? drums adding Mark Taylor ? alto sax and Thomas Marriott - trumpet to make it a quintet. Randy composed six of the nine songs recorded.
Flash Point begins with "Rigenia" and... read more
Hans Fahling - Hamburg: Port of Call
by Nils Jacobson, All About Jazz
Hamburg guitarist Hans Fahling wrote eleven compositions for Hamburg, each accompanied by a Patrick Haskett painting in the liner notes. The artistic intent behind this dual presentation (funded by a number of international sponsors) is well-realized through a series of shifting moods and styles. However, the interdisciplinary approach on Hamburg disguises the high-level improvisational bent of the music considered on its own.
Fahling's... read more
Kobie Watkins - Involved
by Brian Gilmore, JazzTimes
Drummers as leaders often have a difficult time putting
their imprint on recordings. Chico Hamilton, the L.A. legend and
giant, is the model for today's drummers. Chicago's Kobie Watkins on his album, "Involved" takes the leadership idea seriously. He plays, composes, and has assembled a group of very talented players to speak to the masses. Most of all, like Hamilton, Watkins does not fade into the background. His imprint on this recording is... read more
Anthony Branker & Imagine - What Place Can Be for Us?
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
The esteemed composer Anthony Branker returns with his 8th release on the Origin label, where 10 pieces surround the idea of 'place' and how it pertains to inclusion and belonging, and he's got a large cast of players for the passionate, rhythmic affair.
"The Door Of No Return" starts the listen with Alison Crockett's expressive spoken word alongside Donald Edwards' frisky drums and Pete McCann's spirited guitar that's complemented by... read more
Darrell Grant - Truth And Reconciliation
by Bob Karlovits, Pittsburgh Tribune Review
This two-CD album has a curious event it calls a "reprise." The first disc by this marvelous pianist and an equally strong group ends with a version of Sting's "King of Pain" that sounds unfinished. The second disc begins with more "King of Pain." It seems like a runover on a newspaper story. Really, a little editing could have produced one version that would have been fine, thanks. But that is a minor oddity on this delightful album. It is made... read more
Hal Galper Quartet featuring Jerry Bergonzi - Cubist
by George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly
One of the un-heralded giants of jazz, pianist Hal Galper displays style, class and the taste that only comes from years of being on the scene. He brings up fellow vet Jerry Bergonzi/ts along with the supple support of Jeff Johnson/b and John Bishop/dr for a mix of standards and originals. Of the latter, the team stretches out on Johnson's own "Scene West" with some lyrical bass work and Galper delivering substance and accessible creativity,... read more
Corey Christiansen - Factory Girl
by Mike Joyce, JazzTimes
No need to search long and hard here for a telling stylistic connection. When guitarist Corey Christiansen punctuates Factory Girl with a thoroughly modern and haunting arrangement of the folk song "Shenandoah," fans of Bill Frisell's intriguing brand of Americana will likely find themselves reaching for the "repeat" button. Frisell has long favored "Shenandoah" in concert, and Christiansen's affection for the tune is no less evident on... read more
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