Browse some recent OA2 Reviews.
Libby York - DreamLand
by Jonathan Widran, JW Vibe
Though life circumstances and immersion in another business led to somewhat of a late start in launching her singing career Libby York has more than made up for lost time, performing with the likes of John Di Martino, Warren Vache, Russell Malone and Renee Rosness - and dazzling fans and critics alike with a handful of critically acclaimed albums over the past 25 years, starting with Blue Gardenia.
On the appropriately titled DreamLand,... read more
Gordon Lee - This Path
by John Henry, Audiophile Audition
Lee is a respected Portland, OR pianist, composer, arranger and music educator. He's performed around the world and with some of the top names in jazz. His diverse expertise covers avant-garde, symphonic, fusion and big band. The many different influences result in an extremely diverse collection of a dozen tracks which he has composed or arranged. The "Lakota Song" and "Sitting Bull's Revenge" reminded me of a memorable evening Lee... read more
Nelda Swiggett - This Time
by C. Michael Bailey, All About Jazz
Comparisons with Thelonious Monk and McCoy Tyner notwithstanding, Seattle- native Nelda Swiggett summons the influence of a piano talent closer to home, that of the late Gene Harris. Both pianists' styles are characterized by a bright palette, a sinewy execution and a powerful, assertive command. Swiggett's atonal tendencies echo Monk and her percussive nature, Tyner. Taken as a whole, the sound is all Swiggett's: refined and confident, open... read more
Danny Green Trio Plus Strings - One Day It Will
by PHONTAS TRUSSAS, VinylMine (Greece)
Pianist Danny Green's relationship with strings began on his 2016 release, "Altered Narratives", which we had written about here. In that album, Green had used strings in three tracks. Now on "One Day It Will", that relationship expands, acquiring more permanent or rather permanent features.
Danny Green is a pianist strongly influenced by Bill Evans and some recordings of Evans, such as "Bill Evans Piano and Orchestra / The V.I.P.s Theme"[... read more
Laura Welland - Love Is Never Out Of Season
by Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
Laura Welland has a direct and simple approach as a singer, sticking close to the melody and the lyrics while swinging lightly. The key to the success of this CD, her first effort as a vocalist (she also plays trumpet, piano, and bass though not here) is that Welland picked superior songs and lets the music speak for itself. Joined by a top-notch rhythm section (Bill Mays or on three occasions Larry Fuller on piano, bassist John Clayton, and... read more
Steve Owen - Stand Up Eight
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
Who likes Bill Holman? Owen has an interesting concept here. The crack arranger also has a day job as an educator. He brought together his other jazzbo pals, who are also educators, to show that there's no dust on them even as they spend more time at the podium than the bandstand. A solidly fine work of sitting down jazz that manages to be musically advanced without losing you along the way. Putting his all into this effort, all that's... 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
Darden Purcell - Love's Got Me in a Lazy Mood
by Geannine Reid, All About Jazz
4-Stars Darden Purcell's album Love's Got Me In A Lazy Mood (OA2 Records, 2023) shows her keen ear for the subtleties and nuances which define the West Coast cool jazz vocal sound. Purcell's album comprises eleven tracks which blend the laid-back, sophisticated rhythms and melodic inventiveness that characterize the style with beautiful singing and nimble playing.
Purcell is joined by an ensemble of musicians whose contributions are... read more
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