Browse some recent OA2 Reviews.
Alex Goodman - Border Crossing
by Rotcod Zzaj, Improvijazzantion Nation
Alex Goodman - BORDER CROSSING: Though the liner notes make this sound like it's a "chamber jazz" set, it goes far beyond that label... when the vocal from Felicity Williams kicks in against Alex's guitar on the opener, "Acrobat", you ears will realize that you're in for a sonic treat not soon to be put down - in fact, I listened through all seven songs on the first sitting (& have been spinning them over & over again since that first... read more
Gustavo Cortinas - Esse
by Dave Sumner, Bird is the Worm
The newest from Gustavo Cortiñas engages in a thrilling sleight of hand. The drummer leads out with melodies that are crisp and clear as a cloudless Summer afternoon, not to mention pretty damn catchy, to boot. But then his septet obscures the view, solos up a storm of distractions and details and fireworks, and while it all flows naturally from that original statement of melody, before too long, it's long forgotten. Well, until they... read more
Chris Parker - Full Circle
by Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz
Pianist Chris Parker 's second CD release on OA2 Records. Full Circle, sounds like an exciting live set full of vigorous life, something that engages the crowd and gets them up out of their seat, dancing. It's a quintet - common enough in jazz - with the uncommon use of violin in the front line beside the saxophone, reeling out unison lines with the horn, or stepping out in sinuous solo slots.
John Nastos is the alto sax guy who breaks out... read more
Wil Swindler - Space Bugs
by George W Harris, Jazz Weekly
Playing alto sax, soprano sax and flute, Will Swindler leads a swinging team of Peter Sommer/ts, April Johannesen/bck. Tom Myer/fl, Dawn Kramer-Bagriel Mervine/tp-fh, Darren Kramer/tb, Susan McCullough/hrn, Ben Markley/p, Matt Smiley/b and Dru Heller through a romping "live" in studio album of originals and a cover or two.
His soprano is sweet on the gracefully arranged "Annika", with his alto swaying in pretty form on "Passage". Heller's... read more
Tunnel Six - Lake Superior
by Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
****
The six promising young musicians who comprise Tunnel Six met while attending the International Workshop in Jazz and Creative Music at the Banff Centre in Alberta, Canada. They quickly discovered a chemistry and worked to interpret the members' compositions, touring parts of Canada and the U.S. for a few weeks prior to entering the studio to record their debut album. The interaction between them makes it sound like they have been playing... read more
Daria - Strawberry Fields Forever
by Dr. Oscar Groomes, O's Place Jazz
You can't argue with a program based on the Beatles songbook. It's been exploited by countless musicians successfully. On Strawberry Fields Forever Daria puts a mild, jazzy, country/pop twist on the classic tunes. Her voice is pleasant, crisp and inviting. Our favorites are "Come Together" and the swinging "Can't Buy Me Love". Beatles fans will enjoy yet another incarnation of their favorites while jazz fans may be enticed to expand their... read more
Danny Green Trio Plus Strings - One Day It Will
by Dee Dee McNeil, Musical Memoirs Blog
San Diego pianist and composer, Danny Green, has arranged a unique group of original songs, expanding his composition and arranging skills by adding a string quartet to his most recent production. The first tune, "Time Lapse to Fall," is rich with classical overtones. The next cut, "As the Parrot Flies" is lush with strings and uses a pizzicato technique on strings at the top of the song that plucks at the listener's attention. The piano sounds... read more
Nadav Snir-Zelniker - Thinking Out Loud
by Bill Milkowski, JazzTimes
Israeli-born drummer Nadav Snir-Zelniker joins Todd Coolman on bass and Ted Rosenthal on piano for this enjoyable collection of standards and originals. From the joyful opener, "Pizmon Layakinton," they tackle a burning rendition of "Secret Love" before diving into inventive interpretations of Billy Strayhorn's "Isfahan" and Irving Berlin's "Blue Skies," the latter underscored by Snir-Zelniker's slick brushwork and insistent ride-cymbal pulse.... read more
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