Browse some recent OA2 Reviews.
Tim Green & Trio Cambia - Change Of Seasons
by John Sunier, Audiophile Audition
Cambia comes from the Latin and means "change," as is obvious from seeing the assignments of the trio members here. But the trio intends it to also have a broader meaning regarding changing perspectives and discovering new horizons. The trio must make an interesting little choreography when they perform in person! The eight tracks are not the usual jazz Christmas album. One is an improvisation just cooked up during the recording session. I... read more
Cynthia Mullis - Inside Job
by Adam Greenburg, All Music Guide
An album of straightforward jazz from Cynthia Mullis, one of only a handful of capable female jazz instrumentalists on the scene (many opt to be jazz vocalists instead). Here, the Seattle jazzer grooves her way through ten songs; roughly half standards and half original compositions, both from her and from bassist Doug Miller. She switches between emulating John Coltrane in her solos and emulating the bop sax lines when working through a chorus... read more
Michael Kocour - East of the Sun
by George W Harris, Jazz Weekly
Pianist Michael Kocour goes solo on this rich and classy collection wide ranging standards. His touch is clean, but his approach is calm and relaxed as he gently pulses out "East of the Sun" and a dreamy "Stardust." His read of " I've Got A Right to Sing the Blues" is gently regretful, while he gets coy on "Sweet Lorraine" and has fun with a cozy "I'm Coming Virginia." His left hand does some rich explorations on "Who Cares?" and he pulls out a... read more
Paul Tynan & Aaron Lington - Bicoastal Collective: Chapter Two
by Josh Davies, International Trumpet Guild
Paul Tynan and Aaron Lington collaborate on their second Bicoastal Collective project with a completely different approach than the first. The instrumentation has been cut in half, and the focus has been shifted to yet another coast: England. The relationship between Tynan and Lington began while in school at The University of North Texas but has since been spread from San Jose, California to Ontario, Canada--hence the name of the... read more
Libby York - DreamLand
by Lance Liddle, BeBop Spoken Here
It's hard to believe that it's close on nine years since I reviewed Libby York's last album, Memoirs. I raved about that one and, with this release, my enthusiasm hasn't waned.
A soft, sensuous voice that sends shivers down my spine the way Peggy Lee's does when I listen to her classic Black Coffee album. DreamLand is totally different, yet in its own way, achieves the same degree of perfection.
Although the songs are a mix of the... read more
Kristen Strom - Moving Day: The Music of John Shifflett
by Editor, San Jose Summer Fest
Saxophonist Kristen Strom has been one of the mainstays of the Bay Area jazz scenes for nearly two decades, playing with leading bands and helming the Kristen Strom Quintet. In this new project, she interprets the compositions of a legendary local hero: bassist John Shifflett, who passed in 2017.
Strom has performed with many well-known artists, including Manhattan Transfer, Roberta Flack, Johnny Mathis, Jimmy Heath, Steve Turre and Kevin... read more
Gregory Dudzienski - Beautiful Moments
by Jack Bowers, All About Jazz
There are many Beautiful Moments on Chicago-based tenor saxophonist Gregory Dudzienski's second CD under his name, some of which enfold his warm-blooded tenor, others the spirited give-and-take with his blue-chip quartet whose other members are pianist Chris White, bassist Kelly Sill and drummer Jeff Stitely. Yes, Dudzienski is heavily influenced by the music of the 1950s and '60s, but some would argue that was a Golden Age for small-group jazz,... read more
Adam Shulman - Here/There
by Rotcod Zzaj, Improvijazzation Nation
Adam's high-flying piano leads one of those jazz experiences where once the first note is played, the music charges ahead (with vigor) and never stops! He's joined by Mike Olmos (trumpet), Patrick Wolff (alto sax), Rob Roth (tenor sax), John Wiltala (bass) and Smith Dobson (drums), and they just KICK on the splendid 6:19 opener, "Grant and Green"... if yer' not toe-tappin' & groovin' along to this by the second bar, you are NOT the jazz fan you... read more
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