The spirit of Thelonious Monk abounds on bassist Clark Sommers' Ba(SH). Monk's music is magnetically drawn to odd formats like this saxophone trio, sporting Geof Bradfield on reeds and Dana Hall on drums. There is no tether in this music; all participant are free in the most free sense. The recital hold together well, with Bradfield's intricate nod to Monk's "Rhythm-n-Ing" providing an example of the long arm of Monk. There are elements of... read more
Top 10 Innovative Jazz CDs of 2009
Chicago drummer Hall has recorded prolifically on uncounted recordings, but with "Into the Light" he finally emerges on CD as bandleader. The recording illuminates Hall's expressive breadth as composer and dynamism as leader. Throughout, he inspires top-notch work from trumpeter Terell Stafford, saxophonist Tim Warfield Jr., keyboardist Bruce Barth and bassist Rodney Whitaker, all of whom give Hall just about... read more
Okay, along with a lot of you, I haven't explored the music of Ornette Coleman to the extent that I probably should have. I've "always" admired "Lonely Woman," and as Bishop explains, on a disc of Coleman tunes that nobody ever does, "Lonely Woman" is the exception because, he writes, "I've been playing it for 20 years and it deserves to be here." Bishop's quintet includes two reedmen, Richard Cole and Tim Willcox, who join forces... read more
Seattle bassist Jon Hamar's third release as a leader is an intimate and collaborative effort. The textured harmonies with hints of western Classical influences that are heard on his prior CDs have further matured on Hymn, thanks, in no small part, to his choice of sidemen.
Reed multi-instrumentalist Todd DelGiudice (a past collaborator who sticks to alto throughout this record) takes an approach inspired by saxophonist Charlie Parker on the... read more
Ryan Cohan , a pianist/composer from Chicago in the United States who continues to create unique jazz that incorporates rhythms and scales from all over the world , is the first new album in 7 years "Originations" . It is a fascinating piece of music that is elaborately performed by a 11-person formation consisting of a piano, bass, drums, Middle Eastern percussion instrument, wind instrument, and even string quartet.
Ryan Cohan has been... read more
Like many artists who lead dates on Origin, Chad McCullough makes his recording debut for the label, joined by veterans like saxophonists Mark Taylor and Geof Bradfield, pianist Bill Anschell (whose career has flourished since relocating to the Pacific Northwest), bassist Jeff Johnson, and drummer John Bishop. McCullough's rich re-harmonized treatment of the Beatles' "Blackbird" barely touches on the melody before it progresses well beyond its... read more
On his first all original composition album, Broom might be celebrating the section of New York where he grew up but he seems very much in touch with his inner Wes Montgomery. Putting his signature style right up front and center, his long time trio have no problem letting the boss strut his stuff proudly. Another dazzling record in a series of dazzling records, Broom is every fret the first call jazzbo guitarist that one can be---and he has... read more
Veteran Portland Bassist and composer David Friesen is a vital part of the Pacific Northwest jazz scene, and has recorded with the disparate likes of Stan Getz and Sam Rivers, Woody Shaw and Mal Waldron. Now, at age 72, he's released a two-disc set of original music, captured live with his Circle 3 Trio in performances in Oregon and Arizona, and in a studio session in Germany. Where the Light Falls, as its title suggests, presents a... 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.
Ben Patterson Jazz Orchestra - Groove Junkies
by Dan Bilawsky, All About Jazz
Karrin Allyson - A Kiss for Brazil
by Eg'dio Leitão , Música Brasileira
Maddie Vogler - While We Have Time
by Editor, Bman's Blues Report
Alon Farber Hagiga with Dave Douglas - The Magician: Live in Jerusalem
by Jim Motavalli, The New York City Jazz Record
John Bishop - Antwerp
by Dorothea Gangel, Jazz'N'More (Switzerland)
Benjamin Boone - Caught in the Rhythm
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
Last Word Quintet - Falling to Earth
by Ferdinand Dupuis-Panther, Jazz'halo (Belgium)
Martin Budde - Back Burner
by Ferdinand Dupuis-Panther, Jazz'halo (Belgium)
John La Barbera Big Band - Grooveyard
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
Martin Budde - Back Burner
by Paul Rauch, All About Jazz