Browse some recent OA2 Reviews.
Jun Iida - Evergreen
by Jonathan Widran, The JW Vibe
The bio of multi-talented emerging jazz trumpeter Jun Iida reads a bit like a freewheeling cultural and geographic travelogue, with a foundation of classical and music from his Japanese heritage and location shifts throughout his life from his hometown of St. Louis to Pittsburgh, Seattle, Cleveland, Los Angeles and now NYC.
Perhaps one of his most creatively fruitful eras was the years he lived in LA, where he pursued his jazz ambitions... read more
Charlie Porter - Hindsight
by Alex Dutilh, Radio France
Né pendant les bouleversements de 2020, "Hindsight" du trompettiste et compositeur Charlie Porter para"t chez OA2. Il reflète le tumulte, l'incertitude et les émotions de l'époque.
"L'un des compositeurs contemporains les plus brillants et imaginatifs dans le jazz mainstream ; une musique originale stimulante et émotive avec un rare mélange de sophistication et de spontanéité organique." - Chicago Jazz Magazine
Pas... read more
Alex Budman and the Contemporary Jazz Orchestra - Instruments of Mass Pleasure
by Dick Crockett, Sacramento Radio
Alex Budman and others on this San Francisco CD may not be as well known but listening to this
gives an accurate picture how �monster' talented these guys really are... There's a taste of Slide Hampton and Joe Henderson orchestrations here. Up and down the coast reflects an eager jazz reflection as there's a very hip elegant underscore here, with time signatures reflecting very hip mist of San Francisco. I think of old friend Jack Springer,... read more
Gail Pettis - Here in the Moment
by Chris Delaurenti, The Stranger
Firefox just crashed--blame the two dozen open tabs on my memory-famished laptop--and thanks to the command "Restore Session", every online excerpt from Here in the Moment (Origin), the new disc by singer Gail Pettis, begins streaming simultaneously. I'm agog. Instead of a tangled cacophony of spazzed-out drums and glossolalic singing, Pettis's sure, compact voice darts between an odd snare hit or cymbal that has been simmering a mite too... read more
Chris Parker - Late in Lisbon
by Javier Antonio Qui�ones Ortiz, All About Jazz
Pianist Chris Parker wrote all ten compositions on Late in Lisbon, incorporating a contemporary sounding �lan with high ended sonic textures provided by violinist Rob Thomas and saxist Peter Epstein on alto & soprano. The latter two have finely honed chops with untraceable sonic personalities, giving the date its singular aural character. The record manages to swing from a Latinized jam opener �where everyone but anchorman Tony Marino solos his... read more
Daria - Strawberry Fields Forever
by Glenn Daniels, The Jazz Page
Taking on songs of the Beatles can be a daunting task, but it's one that vocalist Daria handles with perfection on Strawberry Fields Forever. The singer delivers the lyrics and the vibe here with the grace of her obvious experience. She seamlessly shifts from ballad to swing on a recording that is nicely balanced. The arrangements provided by Daria and Sam Bevan who plays bass, keyboards and guitar on the project are creative and engaging. Other... read more
Debbie Poryes - Loving Hank
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
Since there's nothing here written by Hank Jones, and a bunch of the songs here aren't associated with Jones, this is Poryes doing her tribute to his sound and vibe. Showing the love, this is a fine reminder of the cat that was so good but seemed to spend much of his career making others look good. A winning set that is a sure bet for sitting down jazz fans, this is a mighty fine piano trio work... read more
Charlie Apicella & Iron City meet The Griots Speak - Destiny Calling
by Ed Sapiega, Jazz Views (UK)
Traditionally, the griot is the human repository of remembered oral history and traditions regarding West African culture. The griot is a historian, storyteller, praise singer, poet, and/or musician. When the griot speaks, it is from a lifetime of communicating about the ancestors. Here it is about communicating traditions and spurring others to play more creative music.
Charlie Apicella & Iron City is a hard-bop guitar trio. The Griots Speak... read more
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Jun Iida - Evergreen
by Editor, Bman's Blues Report
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Francesco Crosara - Circular Motion
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Ben Winkelman - Heartbeat
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Darden Purcell - Love's Got Me in a Lazy Mood
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Charlie Apicella & Iron City meet The Griots Speak - Destiny Calling
by Marco Cangiano, The New York City Jazz Record