Browse some recent OA2 Reviews.
Danny Green Trio Plus Strings - One Day It Will
by Robert Bush, New York City Jazz Record
Southern California piano virtuoso Danny Green has really come into his own lately, shedding some obvious debt to Chick Corea and, most importantly, learning how to infuse a sense of space into his music. This new
maturity culminates with the release of his latest disc, a marriage between his remarkably simpatico trio of bassist Justin Grinnell and drummer Julien Cantelm and a string quartet of Kate Hatmaker and Igor Pandurski (violin), Travis... read more
Ben Neuman - Introductions
by Dean Christesen, Richmond Jazz
Neuman slips a waltz arrangement of "Blame It On My Youth" into his debut record, but there's really nothing to blame on his young age. For a 21-year-old, Neuman comes off as an extremely mature player. The risks he takes are exciting both on paper and on the keys, and with time he'll learn to push the boundaries of this music even more. The record takes off briskly with Coltrane's "26-2," and right away, there is something different about... read more
Jay Lawrence - Thermal Strut
by Dr. Judith Schlesinger, All About Jazz
Drummer Jay Lawrence has a long and serious resume which includes teaching, composing, arranging, and working with everyone from Sammy Davis and Cher to Phil Woods and James Moody. While he's been on more than ninety recordings, this is his first as a leader -- and it's a corker.
This is partly because Lawrence couldn't have chosen better shipmates for his maiden voyage: Lynn Seaton, an always-in-demand bassist whose playing is unusually... read more
Carolyn Graye with Jessica Williams - Songs
by Jason West, All About Jazz
Carolyn Graye is a veteran vocalist and jazz pianist; however, on her latest release she chooses to focus on singing and let Jessica Williams tackle the keyboard duties. The result is Songs, twelve standards that portray Ms. Graye in a favorable light, making intelligent musical decisions while adding her personal signature to well-known favorites. Highlights include her original lyrics to Ornette Coleman's "Turnaround," a bluer-than-blue "Blue... read more
Liam Sillery Quintet - Minor Changes
by George Fendel, Jazz Scene
This is my first acquaintance with Liam Sillery, and I must say that the veteran New York trumpet ace has produced a nicely balanced program of mostly original bop and ballads. Sharing center stage is California-based tenor man David Sills. With a finely tuned rhythm section, this quintet is right in the center of the groove.... read more
Ben Winkelman - Heartbeat
by Barry O'Sullivan, Fine Music Magazine (Australia)
Pianist Ben Winkelman's sixth album as a leader features nine original compositions, with four played by the pianist's trio and five with the addition of jazz heavyweights Gilad Hekselman (guitar), Matt Penman (bass) and Obed Calvaire (drums) The album draws inspiration from his anticipation of becoming a father and the feeling of crises and isolation at the start of the pandemic while living in New York. Winkelman's compositions draw on diverse... read more
Barney McClure - Show Me!
by George Fendel, Jazz Society of Oregon
Barney McClure, a former mayor of Port Townsend, Washington, hasn't been heard from in quite a spell. So it's a treat to welcome him back in a solid setting with the University of Central Washington Jazz Band. Everyone cooks up a storm on several originals and standards such as "Willow Weep For Me," "Slow Boat To China" and the title tune. An album highlight is "Spot," a McClure original reprised here in B3 attire. Barney's a force on B3 to be... read more
Jihee Heo - Are You Ready?
by Cedric Hendrix, CirdecSongs
Korean-raised pianist Jihee Heo possesses a deft touch not unlike Herbie Hancock. The compositions on Are You Ready (OA2 Records) reflect her music education, which took place in Amsterdam and New York City. Traditional jazz sounds that occasionally embrace elements of hip-hop keep listeners just a bit off-balance, which is the best place to find art. The rhythm section of Marty Kenny (bass) and Rodney Green (drums) swing with the best of them,... read more
Looking for a specific review?
This is just a small collection of the OA2 Records reviews. Click here to view all reviews or try to Search for your favorite CD title.
Search Reviews:
Recently Added Reviews:
Francesco Crosara - Circular Motion
by AKSHAJ TUREBYLU, Earshot Jazz
Jun Iida - Evergreen
by Editor, Bman's Blues Report
Zach Rich - Solidarity
by Jack Bowers, All About Jazz
Paul Tynan & Aaron Lington - Bicoastal Collective: Chapter Five
by George Harris, Jazz Weekly
Paul Tynan & Aaron Lington - Bicoastal Collective: Chapter Five
by j. poet, DownBeat Magazine
Francesco Crosara - Circular Motion
by David Witter, Fra Noi Magazine
Francesco Crosara - Circular Motion
by Jan van Leersum, RootsTime.BE (Belgium)
Francesco Crosara - Circular Motion
by Matt Micucci, JAZZIZ
Ben Winkelman - Heartbeat
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
Darden Purcell - Love's Got Me in a Lazy Mood
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect