Origin Records artist: Abate Berihun & The Addis Ken Project - Addis Ken - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Addis Ken, from Abate Berihun & The Addis Ken Project and it's a terrific blend of African rhythms, Ethiopian, Jewish and modern influences. Opening with Tefila, Abate Berihun sings and plays a soulful melody on sax, surrounded by the improvisational piano work of Roy Mor, David Michaeli on bass and Nitzan Birnbaum on drums. Earthy opener. One For Roy has a terrific bottom and rich sax melody. With Mor on piano, working with Michaeli and Birnbaum on rhythm this really is a terrific track. Michaeli steps out on upright bass creating a sub melody and Berihun structures a super vocal melody chased by Birbaum on drums. Nice! Ya Zaman has a move western contemporary feel with a stiff drum kick, and beautiful sax lead. Mor emphasizes the rhythm and stretches nicely on piano creating bringing it back for another terrific entry. Anchi Jazz has a strong klezmer feel with excellent drumming by Birnbaum and strong solo efforts by Michaeli on bass. Mor is again right on it with piano creating super tension and Berihun really makes the sax work on this track making this one of my favorite tracks on the release. Funk laden, Prayer From The Heart, has a really great African jazz beats with Mor on piano and super vocals and sax by Berihun. Wrapping the release is Batti, Mor creates an structure on piano as Berihun kills it on soprano sax. His vocals are ethnic and soulful. This release is not for everyone but very rewarding for those who take the journey. 

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Origin Records artist: Harvie S - Bright Dawn - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Bright Dawn, from Harvie S and it's light and flowing. Opening with Ghosts of Havana, Miki Hayama on Fender Rhodes creates the fabric on which Peter Bernstein builds the guitar rich melody. Matt Wilson holds a tight rein on the rhythm and Harvie S lays out a really nice solo on bass for a solid opener. Waltz For Vartan showcases Harvie leading the way on bass. Flowing guitar lead by Bernstein adds a real nice lyrical feel to the track and giving the track a lighter feel. I've Got Rhythm and Blues is my favorite track on the release with Bernstein really strolling on lead guitar and a thumping bass line reinforcing all the way. Smoking. On Chick Corea's, Humpty Dumpty, Hayama really rolls on piano and a complimentary bass solo by Harvie makes this one of my favorites on the release. Wrapping the release is Swithering, a dramatic composition featuring Hayama on piano crafting the melody with interwoven bass lines by Harvie and percussive riffs by Wilson. This is a fine closer for an interesting release. 

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Origin Records artist: Chenxi Pan - This Very Moment - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, This Very Moment, from Chenxi Pan, and it's quite good. Opening with Hymn for the Spring, vocalist and composer, Chenxi Pan opens with a light and beautiful voice accompanied by Shaonan So on piano and Anders Julsgaard on drums who create a misty atmosphere for her brilliant vocals. Nathan Nakadegawa-Lee on sax and clarinet, creates a more obtuse, yet lush melody joined by Julsgaard and Su handing off to George Grydkovets who elaborates nicely on guitar.  Crisp opener. With a light poppy melody and N-Lee on clarinet, Little Bells is a easy flowing song with brilliant guitar work by Grydkovets on guitar, Nicolas Bond on bass and Julsgaard on drums, adorned with cleverly interwoven clarinet and vocals. Very nice. Endless Summer is another standout track with improvisational vocals by Pan with Julie Kim on cello, Peyton Cook on violin, joined by Bond, Julsgaard and Su. Possibly my favorite track on the release. Parachute is rich with full vocals, glistening piano, driving cello, and explosive drums creating a vibrant reflection on an otherwise subdued yet enticing release. Wrapping the release is Endless Summer (reprise) with warm guitar work by Grydkovets and the light, bright vocals of Pan. This is a cleanly executed and nicely composed release with plenty to experience. 

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Origin Records artist: Anthony Branker & Other Ways of Knowing - Manifestations of a Diasporic Groove & Spirit - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (March 20, 2026), Manifestations of a Diasporic Groove & Spirit, by Anthony Branker & Other Ways of Knowing, and it's complex and intriguing. Opening with The Children of Lyles Station, Anthony Branker is once again creating highly intelligent music with exceptional musicians. Simona Premazzi opens with an interesting piano line, reinforced by Steve Wilson on sax. Premazzi further develops the theme with Rudy Royston on drums and John Hebert lays out an excellent bass solo anchored by the piano vamp and Royston really punching high. Strong opener. Freedom Water March has a real lyrical theme that develops between Wilson and Premazzi. Wilson, on soprano sax, creates a jagged melody, reinforced and elaborated by Premazzi on piano with only light but authoritative support by Hebert and Royston. Aimee Allen sings the intro on Stolen Sisters, and a floating flute melody by Wilson sets the intro. Breaking into a rhythmic, far more structured melody led by Pete McCann on guitar and then Wilson on flute, Premazzi on piano, Hebert on bass and Royston on drums, this track really moves. Allen's "Brazilian style vocals, and a strong solo by Hebert make this one of my favorites on the release. Wrapping the release is Afro Mosaic Soul Babies with it's monster bass line by Hebert and tight drum work by Royston. I really like the delivery by Wilson on sax, contrasting with Premazzi's piano. McCann breaks loose with some exceptional guitar lead really kicking this track. Developing an excellent groove with Wilson, Hebert and Royston, this is a very solid closer. 

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Origin Records artist: Carl Schultz - The Road To Trantor - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Road To Trantor, by Carl Schultz and it's described as the soundtrack to a science fiction movie that only exists in his head. Opening with Journey, Carl Schultz on sax lays out the theme with Adam Benjamin on keys creating an environment. With light cymbal text and a tight snare rhythm by Alwyn Robinson, Zack Teran on bass, Tim Wendel on guitar creates rhythmic dialog joined back by Schultz to conclude. Interesting opener. Uneven time signature on the intro of Caves of Steel gives Schultz a wide land for his sax work and super tight drum work by Robinson a strong passage to Benjamin on keys. A cool guitar improvisational passage by Wendel is some  of my favorite work on the release. Gladia is a strong composition with Schultz on flute paired with his own sax work in call and response on melody over a super guitar rhythm by Wendel. Extending further on sax with Benjamin on piano, and Schultz again on flute... very nice. Wrapping the release is upbeat, The Spirit of Adventure, with a poppy sax lead by Schultz. The definite radio work of the release, Teran's bass work shines nicely with Benjamin's rhythmic piano work throughout and exceptional drum work by Robinson. 

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Origin Records Artist: Mattias Svensson - Embrace - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Embrace, from Mattias Svensson and it's quiet and lush. Opening with My Toots Toots (For Toots), Bill Mays on piano frames the melody with light brush work by Morten Lund on drums, leading to an extended fluid bass solo by Mattias Svensson. Emphasizing the 3/4 timing on by Svensson and Lund, Mays mines the track with strong instincts with nicely placed accents by Lund. Solid opener. With it's contemplative feel, Erik Satir really gives Svensson a wide lane and his strong sense really plays out nicely on bass. Mays' piano punctuation comes more in the way of phrases expanding the track nicely interweaving with Svensson's  continued lead. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Steps (Ahead) with it's contemporary melody, outlined by Mays on piano. Another solid lead by Svensson, with light cymbal work by Lund and framing by Mays helps to really spotlight this track. Mays rolls behind Svensson with a more bluesy exploration of the melody and with concise riffs by Lund caps off the track. Fast paced, Cheddar, pushed by Svensson and Lund gives the floor to Mays and he really runs with it. I particularly like the way Svensson drives the rhythm with his bass line, reinforced by Lund. Strong track. T'ai The Chi(T) Together, is a cool track with a great drum line by Lund. Svensson creates a flowing bass line that outlines just under the melody and Mays elaborates that melody on piano. Very cool track. Wrapping the release is cool, bluesy, Fredriksson 3 with a boppy bass line and Lund on tom toms. Svensson plucks some high register bass notes adding real contrast to this already cool track. Strong closer. 

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Origin Records artist: Paul Ricci - The Path - New release review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Path, by Paul Ricci and it's an interesting blend of contemporary and world jazz. Opening with Major Look, Steve Jordan on drums, Manolo Badrena on percussion and Anthony Jackson on contrabass guitar, set a funky rhythm and Paul Ricci lays down a smooth melody, contrasted by Michael Wolff on electric piano. Electrifying opener. Lobo is particularly enticing, featuring  Malian singer, Abdoulaye Diabate and tight African rhythms by Jojo Kuo on drums, Ramon Echegeray, Arturo Prendez, Hugo Fattoruso on percussion, Jackson on contrabass, Hugo Fattoruso on clavinet, wild guitar lead by Ricci and super soprano sax by Jay Rodriguez. Excellent track. More contemporary in nature, Around The Block finds Ricci leading the way with fluid electric guitar lines, anchored by Jurim Moreira on drums and Fattorusso on piano and backed by aggressive bass lines by Anthony and Badrena and Valtinho Anastacio on percussion. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Down On 6th Street is a laid back track with rich guitar chords and lead by Ricci, and Boccato on drums. This release has a lot of variety with plenty of texture. 

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Origin Records artist: Eddie Allen's Push - Rhythm People - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Rhythm People, by Eddie Allen's Push and it's engaging. Opening with title track, Rhythm People, Eddie Allen on trumpet works with Jonathan Beshay on tenor sax, Misha Tsiganov on keys, Tyler Bullock II on piano, Kenny Davis on bass, EJ Strickland on drums and Steve Turre on trombone to create a driving vamp. With solo's by Allen, Turre, and Bullock on piano and critical rhythm by Strickland, this is a terrific opener. Maurice has big band styling with marimba like keyboards by Tsiganov underwriting the track. A grooving solo by Beshay on tenor really opens up the track and a swinging solo by Turre on trombone really hits followed by Allen on trumpet who's crisp attack really snaps and the lush keywork on Tsiganov brings it all back together . Very nice. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Daybreak with a super bop feel. Turre tears it up with a ripping trombone solo and Beshay's sax work is really in the slot. Allen takes it home with a tight solo of his own followed by Davis on bass and Bullock on piano. Super groove. Another favorite, The Journey has a stellar beat and Beshay sets a terrific solo line on tenor. Turre on trombone lays down another super trombone solo followed by Tsiganov on keys. Strong. Wrapping the release is Eve's Deception, a high stepping track with plenty of high sticking by Strickland. With a funky beat and Bullock on piano, holding the bottom, Allen, Turre and Beshay share the lead and then trade center stage for a real horn shoot out. Excellent closer. 

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Origin Records artist: Bobby Rozario - Healer - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Healer, by Bobby Rozario, and it's cool jazz rock with potent Latin influences. Opening with title track, Healer, Bobby Rozario opens with fluid guitar riffs underscored by Neil Nail Alexander on organ, James Genus on bass, Nathaniel Townsley on drums, and Jhair Sala on percussion and Rosario, Keith Fluitt, and Carlton Jumel Smith on vocals. Lively opener. On Supreme, they crank up the brass with inclusion of Joe Romano on trumpet and Jimmy Bosch on trombone with vocals in almost chant form reminiscent of a similar track by McLaughlin and Santana. Rozario's guitar work is electrifying and the rhythmic percussion work of Sala, Townsley and Rozario is hypnotic. Latin rocker, Spirits, has a solid bottom courtesy of Danny Kean on organ, bass by Aalics Bronson and Robby Ameen on drums. Tight guitar riffs by Rozario give this track a real jam. Wrapping the release is Seasons, a funky, Latin rocker showcasing Rozario on guitar and David Mann on sax. This is a real solid track and a cool closer. 

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Origin Records artist: Shawn Purcell - Oblivity - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Oblivity, by Shawn Purcell, and it's intensively satisfying. Opening with title track, Oblivity, Shawn Purcell on guitar and Walt Weiskopf on tenor sax chisel out a really cool melody supported by Chris Ziemba on piano, Jeff Reed on bass and Steve Fidyk on drums. Weiskopf really rips a great sax solo, tightly punctuated by Ziemba on piano, then surrendering the lead to Ziemba who really holds the line. Purcell picks up the groove on Guitar Synth sending it even further before returning to TDC for a climatic conclusion. Explosive opener. Verdigris with it's steady pace and sophisticated drum pattern provides fertile soil for double time guitar work by Purcell over the stable melodic base by Ziemba on piano. Weiskopf really soars on sax with full scale melodic assault before Ziemba takes the lead with calming yet vibrant piano lead, anchored by Reed and Fidyk. Very nice. Laid back, Lazy Reverie, is an easy shuffle featuring Purcell on Synth laying down the melody. Weiskopf really stirs the pot with a strong tenor solo, punctuated by Ziemba on piano. Purcell keeps things simple with a breezy Synth solo with Darden Purcell on voice and Ben Patterson on trombone adding warm texture as Ziemba stretches on piano. Nicely cool. Sunday Best has a strong melody and a real bluesy swing, adorned nicely by the sassy sax work of Weiskopf. Purcell steps in with some great eighth note runs and double stops creating excellent tension against the solid bottom created by Ziemba, Reed and Fidyk. Deep. Wrapping the release is Flow, a strong, anthem like track with Purcell and Weiskopf paired in tandem creating a forceful front. Taking it low, Ziemba on piano sets the base melody before Purcell comes on full force on Synth really tearing a hole in the atmosphere, followed by Weiskopf on sax creating a sense of the storm winding down over an excellent front of percussion by Fidyk, paring down even further to the basis by Ziemba who leads the ensemble to a solid close. Powerful closer. Beautiful cover by the way...

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Origin Records artist: Affinity Trio - New Outlook - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, New Outlook, from Affinity Trio and it's really cool. Opening with Onward, a solid bop Eric Jacobson on trumpet carves a strong melody. Joined by Pamela York on piano who not only holds a firm rhythm but plays strong, inciteful phrasing, together with Clay Schaub on bass makes for a perfect trio. York penned, title track, New Outlook, has a simple solitude, pairing Jacobson with York on melody, anchored by Schaub creating a nicely flowing track. Larry Willis', To Wisdom, has a beautiful balance with Jacobson creating the primary melody, handing to York for a playful piano exploration. Jacobson returning with a floating trumpet solo solo and handing to the richness of Schaub on bass really gives the track a special delivery. Wrapping the release is Kenny Dorham's Una Mas framed by the percussive piano attack of York. Jacobson fleshes out the melody on trumpet with York and Schaub creating a solid bottom. The groove really develops a great groove with York and Jacobson playing call and response to great resolve. I've seen plenty of trios and often to disappointing results, typically sax or piano lead with drums or bass. But with 3 strong players, all covering rhythm this is a very satisfying release. 

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Origin Records artist: Maja Jaku - Blessed & Bewitched - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blessed & Bewitched, by Maja Jaku, and its quiet and dynamic. Opening with The Witch, Maja Jaku applies her vocals like drops of silver on the lush piano chords by Alan Bartus. Michael Rodriguez on trumpet really adorns the track nicely with well conceived lines making for a solid opener.  Another quiet track, Lonely Little Fox, has Jaku's vocal, working nicely on Bartus's piano and accented by Rodriquez on trumpet, with Dezron Douglas on bass and Johnathan Blake on drums. I love the richness of Bartus' piano intro on Never Let Me Go and Jaku's vocals really work nicely with this standard and Rodriguez's sensuous trumpet work is really outstanding with choice bottom work by Douglas and Blake. Wrapping the release is Everything Must Change, an easy paced ballad with solid balance between Jaku and Bartus on piano. Solid phrasing and choice instrumentation give this release the right balance.

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Origin Records artist: Milan Verbist Trio - Time Change - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Time Change, from the Milan Verbist Trio and it's a solid set of tracks from introspect to lively. Opening with title track, Time Change, a somber yet insightful composition with Milan Verbist creating a calming presentation, adorned by Jens Meijer's light drum work. Toon Rumen takes the lead on bass with a standout melodic solo adding strong contrast to the track. Bop track, No, I Haven't has a strong groove with a driving bottom courtesy of Rumen and Meijer and a strong yet off jagged melody by Verbist. Rumen again steps up with a strong bass solo that really adds to the composition. Very cool. Brigitte's Waltz is a lovely composition which slowly unfolds and develops very nicely, starting first with mostly Verbist but blooming with the progressive introduction of Rumen and Meijer. Rumen again adds a powerful bass solo, accented nicely by Verbist's percussive piano. Bach's Sarabande is a terrific addition to the set allowing Verbist to illustrate one of his early passions for classical music. Very very nice. Wrapping the release is Gary Peacock's Flutter Step. Originally performed by Peacock and Ralph Towner, this track is rearranged to fit and a terrific closer for this strong set. 

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Origin Records artist: Jovino Santos Neto Quarteto - Mais Que Tudo: Live At Kerry Hall 1995 - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Mais Que Tudo: Live At Kerry Hall 1995, by Jovino Santos Neto Quarteto and it's exhilarating. Opening with Metamorph, Jovino Santos Neto on piano is joined by Hans Teuber on flute and sax, Chuck Deardorf on bass and Mark Ivester on drums creating a Brazilian flavored whirlwind. With a heart pounding piano solo by Neto, and a fluid hurricane of music by Teuber on sax, this is a powerful opening. Settling into a solid Latin influenced groove on Caranavalha, Teuber leads the way on sax with aggressive lead lines, spurred on by the solid punctuation of Neto on piano. Neto continues the push with fine articulation of his own taking the lead with Deardorf and Ivester in support. This is a live concert. I'm thinking the breaks between songs were lengthier than on the disc for musician recovery. Whew!  Hoping For The Day has a nice easy 3/4 timing with Teuber and Deardorf playing the melody in tandem, floating on a stream created by Neto and Ivester. Neto creates a sweet piano interlude followed by a lush solo by Teuber on sax and an inciteful solo by Deardorf on bass. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Neto's variation on Happy Birthday, a dedication to his son's 13th birthday, Happy Birthday Ariel! in fine Samba style. 

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Origin Records artist: Marc Seales - People & Places - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, People & Places, from Marc Seales with Ernie Watts and it's tasty. Opening with Rue Cler, with it's suspensive bottom created by Marc Seales on piano and floating lead by Ernie Watts on tenor sax sets a yearning feeling, anchored by Bruce Lett on acoustic bass and Moyes Lucas Jr on drums. Prelude is a quiet piano piece, nicely illustrated by Seales alone. Sensitive and introspective. The Muddy Chicago Blues has a real nice sway to it. With Seales, Lett and Lucas setting the platform, Watts wails to meat and taters. With soulful phrasing and tight articulation Watts rides high, edged on by the clever piano punctuation of Seales. Taking over the lead on piano, Seales has the blues flowing like a second language with deft and fluidity. Lett gets his run as well with double timed bass riffs on an aiery form. Very cool. I particularly like The Gingi with it's light, creative rhythm pattern by Lucas with mostly rim shots, cymbals and snare punction and Lett on bass. Melodic lead by Seales on tenor and Seales on piano really stretch this piece giving it real weight. Wrapping the release is Home Light with it's almost gospel like foundation created by Seales on piano. Watts soars on sax with firm piano punctuation creating a solid melody and Seales takes the tension down with sensitive piano phrasing.  This is an excellent closer for a very cool release. 

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Origin Records artist: Mike Pope - The Parts You Keep - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Parts You Keep, from Mike Pope, and I really enjoy it. Opening with Misgivings, a lively track with a driving piano melody featuring Geoffrey Keezer, building with an aggressive snare rap by Nate Smith and breaking into a sensual bass solo by Mike Pope who builds the track with the hands of a sculptor. Very nice. I love the cover of Charlie Parker's Steeplechase featuring Roxy Cross on sax. Pope laying down a funky bass line and breaking into a wicked electric piano solo by Keezer, this track is hot. Dashan's Flying Ubercar really moves with terrific underpinnings by Smith and Pope. Keezer rides high on this groove before a total break and accelerated bass solo by Pope. Really nice. Barolo Blue was my favorite track on the release with an infectious angular bass groove, nicely playing against Smith on drums and with free wheeling piano by Keezer and jagged guitar soloing by Amaury Cabral. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Spharenmusik from Winterreigen Opus 13 No.5 featuring the classical piano of Ann Almond Pope, Mike's 85 year old mother who along with his father, David Pope, both being world class classical pianists. This really is wonderful. 

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