Browse some recent OA2 Reviews.
Jeff Baker - Baker Sings Chet
by C. Michael Bailey, All About Jazz
Jeff Baker is a Boise, Idaho native with a New York state of mind. His debut recording, Baker sings Chet, pays tribute less to Chet than to the music the late vocalist made his own. Jeff Baker has a beautifully smooth and confident vocal style that would sound appealing singing polka music. Backing Mr. Baker is an exquisite septet that sounds damn near like a big band. This swinging little-big unit tears it up with pithy and intelligently... read more
Jim Olsen - We See Stars
by George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly
Composer and arranger Jim Olsen brings together a richly textured and snazzily swinging big band which includes top notch soloists such as Bobby Shew/tp, Dick Oatts/sax and John Harmon/key. The eight originals mix toe tapping swing such as on �Illogical Conclusion� with lush ballads such as �Wistful,� with even a touch of modern sounds a la Stravinsky thrown in. A piece such as � Dark Sun� does some exciting work with harmonies, while solos by... read more
Glenn White - Sacred Machines
by Chris Spector, MidwestRecord.com
GLENN WHITE/Sacred Machines: There's a sax playing jazzbo that's one of those cats whose done everything with everybody. Playing with much more skronk than an educator should be allowed to have, White is one of those cats that has the chops to play progressive jazz and mainstream soul with equal style. While you can certainly hear the echoes of a Dave Holland group going on here White never shies away from adding his own special sauce and... read more
Alex Goodman - Border Crossing
by Dan Bilawsky, All About Jazz
Border Crossing was born of guitarist Alex Goodman's careful cogitation concerning his move from Canada to New York. It's a beautifully contemplative bridge-builder of an album, bringing together musicians from both realms and connecting classically-oriented ideals, jazz language, and modern thought into a seamless whole.
In soaking in the seven tracks presented here, it becomes apparent that the instrumentation and specific personalities... read more
Randy Napoleon - Puppets - The Music of Gregg Hill
by Raul Da Gama, Jazz da Gama
Randy Napoleon is not only one of the more admired guitarists today but he is also looked upon as a superb musician, much sought-after for his idiomatic interpretation of music. So it is hardly surprising that he would turn out one fine album of songs after the other. However, even by his own exacting standards this one - Puppets [The Music of Greg Hill] - is absolutely outstanding - both in themes and the exquisite artwork that... read more
Ben Winkelman Trio - The Knife
by John McBeath, The Australian
Ex-Melbourne pianist Ben Winkelman, New York based since 2010, has just released his fourth trio album, this one recorded in, and inspired by New York. His first, Stomps, Pieces & Variations appeared on Jazzhead in 2005. Winkelman's playing has certainly evolved since he moved to the US, but he remains interested in Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, and Klezmer music - a style of Jewish traditional music often played at weddings - as well as classical... read more
Jeff Baker - Phrases
by Robert Rusch, Cadence
JEFF BAKER is a vocalist of some originality which is nicely presented on PHRASES, a 5/19-24/17 date with Darrell Grant [p], Steve Wilson [as/ss], Geof Bradfield [ts], Marquis Hill [tpt], Gregory Uhlmann [gtr], Clark Sommers [b] and Brian Blade [drm]. There are a few things that distinguish this fine recording: with 11 tracks (six originals) and 75:15 minutes there is plenty of time to stretch out and they do, at times making the singing... read more
Mason Razavi - Quartet Plus, Volume 2
by Domi, Republic of Jazz
The interesting thing Razavi does on this second 'quartet' outing is show that you can be a classically styled guitar jazzbo without having to show that you can chase the ghost of Wes and catch him. Firmly his own cat, this solid program of mostly originals is right in the pocket of great playing making for great listening. A real winner of a set, this is the kind of stuff that fools you initially into think it's dinner music but gently elbows... read more
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