Browse some recent OA2 Reviews.
Lisanne Lyons - May I Come In
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
The inimitable vocalist Lisanne Lyons is in some fine company, as she swings through 10 rich tracks of timeless Big Band sounds.
The upbeat energy of "The Song Is You" starts with Lyons' bright voice that suits the lively brass and Mike Harvey's scrappy drums, and "This Is Always" follows with John Hart's warm guitar amid the intimate singing of the emotive climate.
"Tulip Or Turnip" lands in the middle and enlists Chuck Bergeron's bouncy... read more
George Cotsirilos - Past Present
by Raul d'Gama Rose, All About Jazz.com
George Cotsirilos' meticulous and tasteful guitar work is marked by remarkably subtle shifts in accents, and minute changes in expression and dynamics. On Past Present, he also displays an impeccable sense of timing especially in revealing the hidden rhythms of complex melodies. His approach to harmony is whimsical, but patently beautiful at all times. He is fleet-fingered across the fret board and equally expressive as he plucks the... read more
Stephen Jones & Ben Haugland - Road to Nowhere
by Michael van Gee, Jazz'n'More (Switzerland)
...The two surprise with swinging jazz classics ("Without a Song", "Milestones") and ballad-like interpretations of the standards "Estate" and "Autumn in New York", in which Kevin Whalen (tp) contributes a... read more
Darden Purcell - Love's Got Me in a Lazy Mood
by George W Harris, Jazz Weekly
Darden Purcell has an effortless swing to her voice, teamed with all star vibist Joe Locke as well as her own team of Shawn Purcell/g, Todd Simon/p Jeff Reed/b and Todd Harrison/dr. She displays her clarity on an intimate and emotive meeting with and Locke Simon on "You've Changed", making one wish for an entire album as such. Likewise, her duo with guitarist Purcell on "It's A Most Unusual Day" shows that she looks good in nylons. In the larger... read more
Phil Parisot - Inventions
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect Reviews
The esteemed drummer Phil Parisot returns with his 3rd album as bandleader, and he's got Jared Hall, Steve Treseler, Dan Kramlich and Michael Glynn along with him for a very creative jazz listen that's actually rooted in influences from the baroque period.
"From The Ancestors" starts the listen with dynamic and busy jazz that highlights Hall's soulful trumpet and Treseler's swift sax prowess, and "Quill And Knife" follows with a calmer... read more
Adam Shulman - Here/There
by George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly
Do you miss the sounds of vintage Blue Note albums by the likes of The Jazz Messengers? Fear not-pianist Adam Shulman sounds like a hard bop oasis as he brings together Mike Olmos/tp, Patrick Wolff/as, Rob Roth/ts, John Wiitala/b and Smith Dobson/dr for a wonderfully hard hitting and swinging session. The three horn front line sound like bridled stallions on the charging "Grant and Green" and swagger well on "Pearl and Bruno." The minor blues... read more
Gail Pettis - May I Come In?
by Adam Greenberg, All Music Guide
On her debut recording, Gail Pettis shows off a nice sensitivity to her music. The songs, a mix of standards, originals, and lost classics, are given a touching respect. Maybe more importantly though, Pettis is singing along with the band, as opposed to singing in front of a backing group. The piano (alternately played by Randy Halberstadt and Darin Clendenin) comes out front nearly as often as Pettis does, and when the time is right other... read more
Charlie Apicella & Iron City meet The Griots Speak - Destiny Calling
by George W Harris, Jazz Weekly
Two bands for the price of one are served here, as the Iron City team of Brad Whiteley/org and Austin Walker/dr join forces with The Gritos Speak band of Daniel Carter/sax-fl-cl-p-tp, Charlie Apicella/perc-g, William Parker/b-misc and Juma Sultan/perc. The result is a combination of soul grooves and sounds that serve as a foundation for exotic harmonies and flavors.
Carter's clarinet is melancholic with Walker on "As The Sun Rises" while his... read more
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