Bman's Blues Report: Origin Records

Showing posts with label Origin Records. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 12, 2025

Origin Records artist: Ben Thomas Tango Project - The Hat with the Grin and the Chuckle - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent (August 22, 2025) release, The Hat with the Grin and the Chuckle, by Ben Thomas Tango Project and it's adventurous. Opening with The Promise of Morning, Ben Thomas on bandoneon leads the melody, accompanied by Eric Likkel on clarinet, Laura Schermer on bass, Laura Coronel on violin, Elizabeth Phelps on violin and Gabe Hall-Rodrigues on piano. A classically leaning tango in the style of Astor Piazzolla, this is a cool overture. Title track, The Man With The Grin and the Chuckle celebrates the memory of Seattle's French Chef, Thierry Rautureau, who's bistro served as the incubator for much of Thomas' music over several years of performing there. A serious composition featuring a solid interweave between Hall-Rodrigues and Thomas, with over harmony by Likkel. An Unapologetic Shift of Perspective is my favorite track on the release with a more percussive feel and Thomas giving more range to Hall-Rodrigues on piano. Wrapping the release is The Second Brick with a sweet, flowing melody presented by Thomas and Likkel, well supported by Schermer on bass, by Coronel and Phelps on violin and focused by Hall-Rodrigues on piano.

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Thursday, July 24, 2025

Origin Records artist: Michael Dease - City Life: The Music of Gregg Hill - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, City Life, from Michael Dease and it's super. Opening with Willow Walks In, Michael Dease outlines the melody on trombone, backed by Linda May Han Oh on bass Jeff "Tain" Watts on drums. Dease really is stellar on trombone stretching the track and Oh and Watts expand the palette nicely for a terrific opener. With a driving bass line by Oh, Dease creates a sonic environment on Movie Theme with some of the richest trombone solo work I've heard in a while. Watts expands the track with a variety of percussion tones and a tight rhythm and Brooklyn Dease adds color on vocal. Very cool. Sweet Georgia Gillespie is a terrific track with fleet slide and articulation by Dease, a fleet bass solo by Oh gives the track breadth and Watts really works the skins making this one of my favorite tracks on disc one. Claxilever shows Dease in bold form with full throated trombone and Oh again really forms a nicely fluid solo on bass provoking Watts to a boil on drums. Say What? is another great track with a bopping lead by Dease. Disc 2 opens with Tea Time and Dease adds Nicole Glover on tenor sax to the mix. The opening melody finds Dease paired with Glover creating the feel and the track is deep and intense. Dease takes the first solo really digging in on trombone and Glover's unmistakable style on tenor really adds another dimension to this already great sound. Another addition to this disc is Geoffrey Keezer on piano who a is stylistically perfect choice. Grave Concerns has a warm melody pairing Glover with Dease on the intro. Dease lays out a really nice solo, accented nicely by Watts, Keezer and Oh. Keezer is up next with a crisp, decisive solo of his own and Glover, who always has exceptional phrasing continues the theme with a warm sensitive touch. Rainy Afternoon has a quiet feel with Dease and Glover playing harmonic tones to each other with just a hint of piano by Keezer over drums and bass. Oh gets the floor and plays emphatically over the light accompaniment of Keezer. Glover really hits the groove with a warm tenor solo over the tight, funky splash of snare and cymbal of Watts and Keezer on piano before the floor is given back to Dease with really works his magic on trombone. Excellent track. Skittles is a fiery track with ripping drum tempo by Watts and Dease absolutely ripping it up on trombone. Glover claims the spotlight and shows once again she's ready to take charge at any time. I've got to tell you I've seen Glover live and when she plays it makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck. Not to be left behind, Keezer on piano works his magic with Watts really playing up a storm. Powerful. My favorite track on the release is Blues For Herb and Glover really lets it all go. Leading the way on tenor, her tone is strong and her phrasing excellent. Dease follows on second solo trading with Oh and it's a terrific matchup. Keezer steps up for a well articulated solo of his own followed back by Glover and Dease to close out the track. Terrific! Wrapping the release is Lafayette Square, opening by Keezer and with Dease on melody. Joined by Glover the track builds before breaking back for Dease's first solo on trombone. Glover gets her shot and then a longer improv by Keezer. Oh and Watts hold the groove tight and Dease folds back in with a raspy enthusiasm joined by Glover closing out the track. Really excellent set.

Tuesday, July 22, 2025

Origin Records artist: James Moody - 80 Years Young: Live At The Blue Note - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, 80 Years Young: Live At The Blue Note, by James Moody and it's super. Opening with Benny's From Heaven, featuring James Moody on vocal and ripping some terrific sax leading the way. David Hazeltine on piano sets the pace with excellent rhythm, joined by Todd Coolman on bass who crafts a really nice solo, and Adam Nussbaum who really kicks on drums. Strong opener. Jazz classic, Cherokee is next with Moody leading the way on flute. Not missing a stroke, Moody really has this track jamming with colorful piano by Hazeltine and a driving bass line by Coolman. Hazeltine gets his turn on the throttle and keeps the pedal down before handing off to Nussbaum on drums for an excellent rendition of this notable theme. Birk's Works has a super groove set by Jon Faddis on muted trumpet. Slide Hampton also joins the set with an excellent trombone solo of his own. Another featured guest, Paquito D' Rivera really runs the keys on clarinet with a soulful solo before handing it to Moody for a rich tenor sax solo of his own. Hazeltine is a bit more "heady" with great finesse and dynamics, crowned with brass accents before handing off to Coolman who presents another classic bass solo before closing out the track. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Mary Lou Williams' OW featuring Cedar Walton on piano. With a basis of Lets Fall In Love set by Walton the track takes on real wings. Hampton on trombone blows a great solo followed by a mesmerizing trumpet solo by Jon Faddis. Randy Brecker steps up and rips another strong trumpet solo followed by D' Rivera on clarinet before the rich, soulful sound of Moody on tenor takes the hall. This is a terrific track and a strong closer for an excellent release.

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Origin Records artist: Dawn Clement - Delight - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Delight, by Dawn Clement and I really like it. Opening with Outstretch, Dawn Clement opens her latest with an original track, Outstretch, and a driving piano vamp. Reinforced by the excellent bass work of Buster Williams and aggressive drumming of Matt Wilson. Playing a lower vamp on piano against a brilliant upper register soloing is brilliant. Excellent opener. Elvis Costello's Someone Took The Words is really a nice composition and I don't think that he gets nearly the appreciation he deserves. Clements handles the vocals on this track with clarity and elegant phrasing. If I had never heard the track, I would know it was Costello because of her thoughtful arrangement. Her precise piano work, accenting her vocal phrasing and the addition of Wilson on drums is just right making this a beautiful contribution to the set. Williams' Tokudo is a solid contribution with a great bop. Lightly dancing on the keyboard, Clement gives the track wings and Williams gets a bass solo which really works well with the track. Julian Priester's Elmer's Holiday is a super track for the set with it's jagged bop beat. Williams and Wilson set the undercarriage and Clement really takes the piano for a ride. Particularly nice piano showcase for Clement. Wrapping the release is another Clement composition, Forgive Me. A solid radio ballad featuring Clement on vocal and piano with light backing and nice melodic backing vocals. Solid closer for a really strong release.

Monday, July 14, 2025

Origin Records artist: Jared Hall - Influences - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Influences, by Jared Hall and it's really solid. Opening with Song For Shaw, influenced by the sounds of Woody Shaw is really hot with a percussive attack by Jared Hall on trumpet paired with John Bishop on drums. Rolling into a terrific groove framed by Michael Glynn on bass and Tal Cohen on piano, Hall really sets the pace with crisp, open-bell attack, Cohen taking his lead plays with exceptional vibrancy, and Bishop adds excellent accent. Glynn gets a turn and lays down a a strong bass solo followed by the vibrant drumming by Bishop. Powerful opener. Quiet ballad, Dear Roy, a tribute to Roy Hargrove, has a rich melody with Hall leading the way. Cohen picks up on piano with an introspective feel, then back to Hall who carries the melody to the end with lush support of Cohen, Glynn and Bishop. Very nice. Let The Children Dance has a real nice Latin under beat structured by Glynn and Bishop. Hall blows a tight melody on trumpet with counter by Cohen on piano. His ensuing solo is flowing and inciteful adding great width to this track. Bishop gets the opportunity to dig in on this one and really produces a rigorous solo of his own. Gigi Gryce's up tempo, Minority, has an aggressively moving bottom giving Hall a solid platform to to shape the melody. Cohen again contributes a vibrant piano solo rolling back to Hall with an adventurous trumpet expansion before shifting back to it's classic melody. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Dream Steps, a more contemporary track with a more straight forward melodic approach. Hall sets the melody firmly over a light Latin rhythm anchored by Bishop and guided by Cohen and Glynn. Glynn shines with a solid bass solo floating on the rhythm of Bishop and in tandem with Cohen on piano. Solid closer.

Thursday, July 10, 2025

Origin Records artist: David Weiss Sextet - Auteur - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Auteur, by David Weiss Sextet and it's quite good. Opening with original composition, Too Little Too Late, David Weiss on trumpet is hot on the street with his trumpet blazing, paired with Myron Walden on alto and one of my favorite new comers, Nicole Glover on tenor sax, David Bryant on piano, Eric Wheeler on bass and E.J. Strickland on drums. Walden takes the first lead with some excellent points and Weiss punches in taking the track even higher with strong accents by Bryant on piano, followed by Glover on tenor and a well structured solo by Bryant, anchored by Wheeler and Strickland. Hot starter. The Other Side of the Mountain has an interesting intro building with Weiss and Walden in tandem opening over Wheeler, Strickland and Bryant creating an intricate weave or tones and breaking into a great bop featuring Glover on tenor on first solo followed by Weiss really getting into a great groove driven by the excellent heat by Wheeler and Strickland. Walden takes the track high with reed curling work really driving the intensity, relieved by Bryant on laid back piano. What a groove. Freddie Hubbard's Rebop is out of control with an intro by Walden and Weiss and excellent staggered drumming by Strickland. Setting the melody and quickly breaking into a fat, fat solo Glover. This kid can really play... I mean she finds a groove and just runs. Weiss is really on top of his game on this track driving the track even higher followed by Walden on alto, chased by Bryant, Wheeler and Strickland. Bryant pulls up another fine piano solo before circling back to the finely structured melody. Excellent! Wrapping the release is excellent unrecorded track by Slide Hampton, One For Bu with it's hard driving bop. Bryant gets the first crack at it and really hammers it home with excellent punctuation by Strickland. Glover gets off the leash again ripping away anchored by Bryant then leading to a excellent groove by Weiss. Walden literally flies on alto giving the track even more fuel and giving Strickland a great space to show that he isn't just a counter player but a strong soloist. Regrouping, this gang really really is moving leaving you gasping for air. Really strong.

Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Origin Records artist: Nanami Haruta - The Vibe - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Vibe, from Nanami Haruta and it covers a broad spectrum of colors. Opening with Renee Rosnes' Girlie's World, Band leader and trombonist Nanami Haruta and Xavier Davis on piano setup the framework for this waltz tempo track. With Michael Dease on bari sax adding significant warmth to the track and Rodney Whitaker on bass and Ulysses Owens Jr on drums, this is a cool opener. Original track, Toshi features a really nice trombone solo by Haruta with great tone and phrasing with excellent piano accent by Davis and firm underpinnings by Whitaker and Owens. I like the hot drum rhythm under Christian McBride's Sister Rosa with solid piano counterpoint under the trombone harmonizing by Haruta and Dease. Haruta shows her stuff with smart articulation on her solo and Dease adds a great swinging solo of his own (also on trombone) leading into a rich bass solo by Whitaker making this one of my favorites on the release. Beautiful ballad, Heartstrings gives Haruta a wide open lane to allow her trombone sing and that's exactly what she does. Davis works a real nice off tempo piano interlude of his own adding a crisp counterpoint prior to Haruta taking control once again with unwavering richness. Very nice. Woodpecker is a definite bopper with excellent solos by Haruta, Davis, and Dease. Really nice! Wrapping the release is Alex North's movie track classic, Unchained Melody, carried lightly by the guitar work of Chris Minami on guitar and allowing plenty of bandwidth for Haruta to really work the melody on trombone. This track has been played by maybe 500 bands, but possibly none as nicely as this. Excellent closer.

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Origin Records artist: Nnenna Freelon - Beneath The Skin - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Beneath The Skin, by Nnenna Freelon and it really strong. Opening with Journey of the Heart, Nnenna Freelon is poised and precise with clean vocal articulation over a sparce backing by Alan Pasqua on piano, Keith Ganz on guitar, Jonathan Richards on bass, Steve Hass on drums and Shana Tucker on cello. Solid opener. Under structured, Dark and Lovely brings the blues into Freelon's style with Evan Roberson adding tasty trombone solo work and her vocals are excellent. Snappy, Nawlins drums styling by Hass really works nicely with Roberson giving Freelon just the right base to swing. Excellent! Changed brings to mind Tyner's piano styling on Coltrane's arrangement of Favorite Things and Freelon just sails on vocals. Pasqua really ramps this track up on piano with tight bottom by Hass and Richards. With it's quiet approach, title track, Beneath The Skin is a great contribution with Freelon paired with Ganz on guitar. He voice is powerful and Ganz's guitar playing light and supple creating just the right dynamic. Wrapping the release is Last Dream Home, a nice ballad with it's solid melody and controlled vocals by Freelon, contained by Pasqua on piano and framed by Hass and Richards. A crisp, nylon stringed guitar solo by Ganz adds a brilliant climax to this rich closer.

Friday, June 27, 2025

Origin Records artist: Charlie Ballantine - East By Midwest - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, East By Midwest, by Charlie Ballantine and it's great! Opening with Storyteller, a lush, instrumental ballad, Charlie Ballantine on guitar crafts a beautiful melody, saturated with reverb and tone. Joined by Quinn Sternberg who's bass work is active and Dan Weiss on drums who keeps it light but effective makes for a brilliant opener. Monk's, Trinkle Tinkle, has real forward thrust with nimble fingered fretwork and perfectly laid chords by Ballantine illustrating the melody and and neatly styled bottom by Sternberg and Weiss keeping your head bopping. A real tasty solo by Sternberg really does play nicely against the classic structure. Lennon (and McCartney's) Strawberry Fields is a nice surprise with Ballantine playing it's straightforward melody with a bit of overdrive but with some really nice surprise counter notes giving the track a new and quite interesting feel. There's also a surprise "kaleidoscope" kind of sound not unlike Lennon's own reversed tape trick. Very nice! I particularly like original composition, Cigarette Siren with it's rocky approach. With Weiss playing actively with Sternberg, and Ballantine playing lead in a much more strat sounding forward manner, the track really comes to me like a brilliant blend of a classic surf track and and Leslie West's Mountain. This is really a mind bending track bring in the colors from many palettes. Ornette Coleman's When Will The Blues Leave gets a great bop groove driven by Sternberg, Ballantine catching the wave and rolling right down the barrel. Really nice. Wrapping the release is Elliot Smith's soulful ballad, Alameda nicely crafted by Ballantine on richly saturated guitar tones over a simple rock beat by Sternberg and Weiss. This really is a strong release that you should check out.

Monday, February 3, 2025

Origin Records artist: Michael Dease - Found In Space: The Music of Gregg Hill - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Found In Space: The Music of Gregg Hill, by Michael Dease and it's an interesting exploration of the music of composer, Gregg Hill. Opening with The Last Pop Tune, Bill Cunliffe plays the intro on piano quickly joined by Virginia Macdonald on clarinet, Matt White on trumpet, Katie Thiroux on bass and Colleen Clark on drums. Rudresh Mahanthappa on alto and Jason Hainsworth on tenor saxs up the ante and Cunliffe develops the melody nicely on piano. Sharel Cassity really flies on flute and Nanami Haruta and Michael Dease on trombone really add strength. One For Rodney shows off the powerful horn section but it's Thiroux's bass solo that really shines. Hainsworth on tenor sax pared with Sharel Cassity on alto really rips and Clark's drum work is stellar. One of my favorite tracks on the release is The Stray Moonduck with a great intro by Dease on trombone and strong flute work by Cassity. A meaty solo by Dease, really gives this track the flavor seasoned by Cunliffe on piano and Hainsworth's tenor work really adds the juice. Bluesy, Anthem, is my favorite track on the release sets up with Cassity on flute and tight rhythm by Thiroux, Clark and Gwendolyn Dease on percussion, The horn section is always tight with excellent tenor work by Hainsworth, and aggressive alto work by Mahanthappa. Wrapping the release is New Orleans funky A Wrinkle In Time with Cunliffe mixing it up with Michael Dease. Macdonald on clarinet steps forward joined by Cassity on flute , then Mahanthappa, White, Harunta, Thiroux and Clark. Dease wails on trombone over strong rhythm by Thiroux and Clark. Solid closer.

Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Origin Records artist: Maddie Vogler - While We Have Time - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, While We Have Time, by Maddie Vogler and it's quite entertaining. Opening with, The Need To Be, Maddie Vogler on Alto Sax, is joined by Tito Carrillo on trumpet and Flugelhorn, Matt Gold on guitar, Jake Shapiro on piano, Samuel Peters on bass and Neil Hemphill on drums. This track shows a definite interest in exploring Vogler's Cuban roots. Her sax soloing on this track is mature and intense. Great opener. Ropa Vieja is a more sensuous track with Vogler carrying a very nice intro. Vogler and Carrillo present a verry supple interplay before forging into a more dynamic portion of the track with intense work by Shapiro, Peters and Hemphill. Very nice. Between Wakefulness and Sleep, plays over a lightly salted Latin rhythm with the melody being shared between Vogler and Carrillo. But when the melody breaks, begins the fireworks begins. First up is Vogler with an explosive sax solo which leaves you wanting more, followed by Shapiro on piano. Wrapping the release is Check Engine Light with a more contemporary flair. With an intriguing horn rhythm hook created by Vogler and Carrillo, this track is just getting started. Gold steps up with a really nice guitar solo and there's no hiding the excellent drum/bass interplay of Hemphill and Peters making this a very solid closer.

Thursday, April 27, 2023

Origin Records artist: Rodney Whitaker - Oasis: The Music of Gregg Hill - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Oasis: The Music of Gregg Hill, from Rodney Whitaker and it's a strong outing. Opening with bass driven, Betty's Tune featuring Rockelle Fortin on lead vocal. Bruce Barth on piano, Whitaker on bass and Dana Hall on drums really cement this piece together and excellent top work by Terell Stafford on trumpet and Tim Warfield really highlight the track. Excellent opener. Next up is Puppets with it's quiet piano/drum/bass bottom and Stafford with his muted trumpet laying out the melody. As the tune lays back into a more bop feel, Warfield on soprano sax really sings. Barth kicks it to double time on piano with a exciting piano solo and Whitaker stands out with the standup. Very cool. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Minorabilia with it's traditional bop feel. Stafford on trumpet and Warfield on tenor sax hold the melody, reinforced by Barth on piano. This track really hits a great groove featuring first Barth on piano. His phrasing is tight and lush, expanded by Whitaker and Hall who double time the rhythm. Stafford really sits down in the groove and kicks it before handing if off to Warfield on tenor reminding me of the Miles/Cannonball exchanges of the 50's. An energetic bass solo by Whitaker with only punctuation by Barth and snappy drum rhythm by Hall ...Really terrific. With it's walking bass line, Blues For Gregg, Whitaker wastes no time stepping front and center laying down the first solo, punctuated by Barth on piano. Taking the reins, Barth really gets things moving with great movement, followed by Warfield on sax. Stafford's trumpet work on this track is really strong with perfect tone and heat and Hall's footwork works nicely with his snare attack. Great tune. Wrapping the release is title track, Oasis, the most radio like track on the release featuring Fortin on vocal over a primarily spartan backing. A tasty trumpet solo by Stafford, a stylish soprano sax solo by Warfield, and a particularly groovy piano solo by Barth, folllowed by a funky bass solo by Whitaker make this i solid closer for a reall cool release.

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Wednesday, April 19, 2023

Origin Records artist: Tito Carrillo - Urbanessence - New Release Review

I just had the opportunty to review the most recent release, Urbanessence, from Tito Carrillo and it's very cool. Opening with Momentum with a paired lead melody by Tito Carrillo on trumpet and Troy Roberts on sax this track is humming. With Ben Lewis on piano, Clark Sommers on bass, Jay Sawyer on drums and Victor Gonzalez on congas, this is a strong opener. Crazy, Stupid Fine is a really cool track with a cool, lightly funky rhythm. Opening with a bass solo setup, Carrillo and Roberts again pair on the melody, splitting off to seperately lay in very nice variations on the melody. Carrillo's tone and phrasing is clean and controlled and Robert's tone, warm and more frantic. With excellent punctuation and melodic improvisation by Lewis on piano, this is a terrific track. Carrillo pulls out the flugelhorn for warm tone on Phillip Kocheril's Up The Down Staircase sharing this introspective melody with Lewis on piano. Wrapping the release is Sublime (for Roy Hargrove) with it's lush melody and crisp piano work by Lewis. This is really a cool release with a various colors of jazz well performed by a talented group of guys.