Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Hal Galper Quartet featuring Jerry Bergonzi - Cubist
by Doug Ramsey, Rifftides
In his album notes, pianist Galper writes that he was unaware of what "an interesting and unique composer" his longtime bass-playing associate Jeff Johnson is. The three pieces that Johnson contributed to Cubist leave no doubt about his writing ability. The title tune plus "Kiwi," "Artists" and "Scene West" give Galper, Johnson and drummer John Bishop plenty of challenging material. They make the most of it. Galper's post-bop credentials with... read more
Rich Thompson - Who Do You Have to Know?
by Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz
4-STARS The title of drummer Rich Thompson's 2023 release is Who Do You Have To Know?. The answer to that: John Bishop and Matt Jorgensen, the team that runs the Origin and OA2 Records labels that boast prolific and consistently good outputs, featuring an array of well-known and a goodly number of not-so-well-known, but always interesting, often terrific, jazz artists. Thompson has released four albums of his own on Origin, including the... read more
Benny Powell - Nextep
by Jeff Krow, Audiophile Audition
Steppin' out with Benny Powell.
Seventy-eight-year-old trombone master Benny Powell has had an extensive career, playing in the big bands of Lionel Hampton and Count Basie. He played in the Basie band for many years, and was prominently featured in Randy Weston's African Rhythms group. Criminally under-recorded as a leader, Powell has only had three recording sessions as a group leader. His first two albums were for minor labels in... read more
Dan Dean - 251
by Brian Sorgel, JazzTimes
The Seattle counterpart of Steve Swallow, bassist Dan Dean is able to swing persuasively, comp authoritatively and improvise melodically on electric bass. O the series of intimate duets he is showcased walking, chording, and soloing freely in the company of four decidedly different keyboard stylists. With Larry Goldings on Hammond B3 organ, Dean explores Thelonious Monk's "In Walked Bud," james Brown's "I Got You (I Feel Good)," Jobim's "One... read more
Don Lanphere - Where Do You Start?
by Jim Bates, Seattle Times Obituary
JIM BATES / THE SEATTLE TIMES, 2000
Don Lanphere shows off some of old posters from the Trianon Ball Room
in Seattle. He played with some of the top jazz musicians of his time,
recording with such legends as Fats Navarro and Max Roach.
Don Lanphere, the legendary Wenatchee-born bebop jazz saxophone player
who overcame dependence on drugs and alcohol to become one of the deans of Seattle jazz musicians, died yesterday at Group Health... read more
Hal Galper - Live at the Berlin Philharmonic, 1977
by Georges Tonla Briquet, Jazz'halo (Belgium)
A nostalgic dip with nostalgia for a vibrant live concert? Then this 'Live At The Berlin Philharmonic' is a recommended remedy. Recorded in 1977 with the legendary brothers Michael and Randy Brecker on the front line along with pianist Hal Galper, bassist Wayne Dockery and drummer Bob Moses.
Galper, at the time sidekick to Dave Holland and Lee Konitz, among others, just returned from three years of touring with the Cannonball Adderley Quintet... read more
Bruce Williamson - Standard Transmission
by George Fendel, Jazz Society of Oregon
Deep in the shed, New York alto ace Williamson teams up with the admired veteran pianist Art Lande in a quartet setting mainly devoted to favorite melodies of long standing. Hence, the clever album title. The quartet is completed by Peter Barshay, bass, and Alan Hall, drums. Among many high moments here, try "Just You, Just Me." A guy named Monk turned it into "Evidence" quite some years ago, and Williamson, Lande and company bring out that... read more
The H2 Big Band - It Could Happen
by George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly
The H2 Big Band boasts some big names from Los Angeles such as Andy Martin/tb, Ron Stout/tp, gary Foster/as, Larry Koonse/g, Bob McChesney/tb and Chuck Berghofer/bs. Best of all, Joe LaBarbera handles the drums and no one drives a big band better. The brass and reed sections are spectacular, swinging on the bouncy "Hocus Po cus" and delivering an eerie take of "You Go To My Head" with Foster's alto shining through the night. The team sizzles on... read more
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