I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Mosaic: The Music of Gregg Hill, by Rodney Whitaker, and it's strong. Opening with title track, Mosaic, Rodney Whitaker on bass lays down an excellent groove, bound by Rick Roe on piano and Dana Hall on piano. Terell Stafford on trumpet sets the track on fire with excellent solo phrasing, followed by Tim Warfield on soprano sax. Very nice. Roe picks up his own lead on piano with... read more
JAZZ PROFILE: Grete Skarpeid just released her second album, "Beyond Other Stories", arranged and produced by Aruan Ortiz. A film team has followed Skarpeid and her collaboration with Aruan for four years, and this autumn the documentary Grete - and the Cuban pianist will be released.
Hi, Grete, how are you doing in these challenging corona times, and how has the last year been for you?
Last year started brilliantly... read more
Jazz has become a truly international art form in the new millennium, and some of its most creative players now come from places like Zagreb, Croatia. What makes Matija Dedic special is his touch and the way his poetic concept unfolds and deepens over the course of an album. Dedic is as seductive as Tord Gustavsen. The opening of the first track here, "Her Name," could be Gustavsen. It has that hush, the keys barely touched, the simple... read more
The co-op quartet Big Neighborhood performs catchy originals that stretch the modern mainstream of jazz. A particularly tight unit that has each of the four musicians thinking in similar directions, Big Neighborhood features concise solos, a colorful group sound, some tricky time signatures, and distinctive voices in altoist Chris Fagan and guitarist David White (who also plays guitar synthesizer). All of the music on their two-CD release could... read more
His rich baritone voice, accurate musical ear and comfortable seamless phrasing make Giacomo Gates a singer with appeal, and his personal interpretation of lyrics gives his audience a convincing lesson. But there's a special twist to this performance. Gates has been bitten by the hipster bug. His passion for the vocalese of King Pleasure, Eddie Jefferson and Jon Hendricks is woven through each track.
His policy does not take Gates a step... read more
Forward-thinking trumpeter Cuong Vu has performed with the likes of Pat Metheny, Laurie Anderson and David Bowie. He's toured the world and released four albums under his own name. After a stint in New York, Vu moved back to the Northwest, where he is now assistant professor of jazz studies at the University of Washington.
It's there at UW that he coached an ensemble that included members of Speak. After mentoring the students -- saxophonist... read more
This twofer was recorded live in Japan over Christmas 30 years ago shortly after dropping her debut with Peter Erskine and Marc Johnson. A spirited piano/voice romp where chances are taken and dark corners explored. Successfully. You gotta go all the way to Japan to hang out in a saloon this cool? A perfect example of putting the fun first and having it... read more
This release is intended as a tribute to Antonio Carlos Jobim and seven of the tunes are attributable to the Brazilian master, with the roster being completed by three Brachfeld and O'Connell originals, whilst not forgetting Never Let Me Go.
Brachfeld's flute playing is full of purity, totally appropriate for bossa-nova and its offshoots, as is the alto flute briefly giving an airing.
The flautist, here presenting her ninth album, has... 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