Browse some recent OA2 Reviews.
Paul Tynan & Aaron Lington - Bicoastal Collective: Chapter Five
by Hobart Taylor, KUCI - Irvine, CA
Another large ensemble posing as a big band is this collaboration between baritone saxophonist Aaron Lington and trumpeter Paul Tynan. Playing tunes by one or the other, they join 12 other horn and woodwind artists, a piano and rhythm section in straight ahead excursions that amble off into realms of expanding consciousness.
The baritone solo on "I Remember Every Day" leads into multifaceted overviews of moments in time that have Zappalike... read more
Seattle Womens Jazz Orchestra - Meeting of the Waters
by Ric Bang, The Davis Enterprise
The "almost all" women's orchestra - a few brass players, the drummer and musical director are guys - draws upon a cadre of 29 musicians who live, work and perform in the Seattle area. They utilize a standard 17-piece unit for this album and their concerts.
Most of the musicians also play with other groups in that locale, so they certainly qualify as professionals.
This CD is the ensemble's second release. Unlike the first, which consisted... read more
Stan Bock Ensemble - Night Grooves
by Zach Dundas, Willamette Week
First, you call your album Night Grooves, which--face it--carries hefty cheese potential. Not bad in and of itself, but the danger abides. Then you decide to write most of the songs yourself. And this is jazz we're dealing with a genre relentlessly (to its own detriment) enamored of standards. But why not throw in a few covers, too? And why not choose a Thelonius Monk tune, only one of the most iconic jazz pieces? And a compositIon by the... read more
Michael Kocour - Wherever You Go, There You Are
by C. Michael Bailey, All About Jazz
4-STARS Solo piano recitals have a refreshing quality about them. The instrument's and by proxy, the performer's, thoughts are undiluted and benefit from the lack of competition with other voices. Pianist, composer, and educator Michael Kocour offers a collection of standards and originals that provide a case-in-point. In an even ten selections, Kocour carves a collection of finely crafted pieces, each with an individual musical... read more
Angela Verbrugge - Somewhere
by Scott Yanow, The Syncopated Times
In her two previous recordings, The Night We Couldn't Say Good Night and Love For Connoisseurs, Angela Verbrugge made a strong impression as both a warm and inviting jazz singer and a songwriter-lyricist. Her new EP, which clocks in just short of 30 minutes, consists of additional performances (all but one song being previously unreleased) from the sessions.
Joined by one of two rhythm sections (pianists Ray Gallon or Miles Black, Jodi... read more
Chris Parker - Full Circle
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
The multi talented piano man does it again. With a totally different sound and feel than his last trio date, Parker has a bunch of different pals and sounds lending a helping hand on this date. Swinging his way around the room in high octane fashion throughout, this crew is having a good time. They make sure you will too. Whatever ports of call they check in at, Parker and company give you a great ride getting there. A tonic for ears in... read more
Paul Tynan & Aaron Lington - Bicoastal Collective: Chapter Two
by Phillip McNally, Cadence Magazine
On (1) the piano is replaced with guitar, and Aaron Lington in the "tenor chair" is sporting a baritone. He's got a rude, rich sound on the instrument that plays well off the delicacy of the rest of the 5tet. The heart of the recording is "The Ravenspurn Collection," a suite of six English folk tunes arranged anew by trumpeter Paul Tynan. This suite is based on Ralph Vaughan Williams's composition "Six Studies in English Folksong for Cello and... read more
Libby York - DreamLand
by Rob Lester, Sound Advice / Talkin' Broadway
A pro with precise phrasing that gets the most out of key words and images in a lyric, a master of the mini-pause, Libby York has a sound that is decidedly mellow and mature. The savvy stylist breathily highlights some words in a state that approaches or crosses the border between sung and spoken without losing the essence of the musical line. DreamLand is cozy and inviting, savvy and sophisticated. The understatedly graceful accompaniment of... read more
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