Browse some recent OA2 Reviews.
Liam Sillery Quintet - Minor Changes
by Forrest Dylan Bryant, FoJazz
Every once in a while an album like this crosses my path: on a small label, with a bunch of people I've never heard of. Generic-sounding song titles. An unassuming cover, neither garishly amateur nor slick. At first glance, completely forgettable. But then I put it in the CD player, and it's immediately gratifying -- both familiar and vibrantly fresh.
Although Sillery plays trumpet and flugelhorn, his primary influence is tenor saxophonist... read more
Gustavo Cortinas - Esse
by Paul Abella, WDCB - Chicago
Finally, how about some excellent local jazz from drummer Gustavo Cortiñas and his group Snapshot, who have just released the disc Esse, a tribute to Philosophy and the philosophers who have philosophized. This is a really wonderful disc, filled with some young heavy hitters from Chicago's jazz scene, namely Roy McGrath (tenor sax), Justin Copeland (trumpet), Adam Thornburg (trombone), Hans Luchs (guitar), Joaquin Garcia (piano) and Kitt Lyles... read more
Libby York - DreamLand
by Andrew Gilbert, JazzTimes
Libby York has been on the scene for a while, but for those who haven't yet encountered her music, her 5th album, DreamLand, makes an excellent introduction. It's been nine years since she put out the quietly beguiling Memoir, and she's lost none of her old-school luster in the interim. Working with a highly sympathetic tandem of guitarist Randy Napoleon and bassist Rodney Whitaker (and drummer Keith Hall on four of the album's 12 tracks), York... read more
Dan Trudell - Fishin' Again: A Tribute to Clyde Stubblefield & Dr. Lonnie Smith
by Dan Bilawsky, The New York City Jazz Record
Chicago-based organist Dan Trudell isn't simply a fan of both the late funk drummer extraordinaire Clyde Stubblefield (who would have turned 80 this month) and organ guru Dr. Lonnie Smith: he led a band with the storied sticksmith and learned from the soulful mystic of the keys, developing friendships with these late great artists. He pays tribute here with grooves, grease and all of the glories that defined these musicians' sounds.
Working... read more
Michael Kocour - Wherever You Go, There You Are
by Rotcod Zzaj, Improvijazzation Nation
I can tell you, after listening to only the first 8 bars (or so) of Michael's marvelous piano playing - he's one of the best talents on the scene today! I absolutely loved his Rhodes work on "Pensativa", and have no doubt you will as well. His style is "all natural", with no pretense or high-powered electrical gimmickry, and that in itself makes his artistry something hard to find these days. Michael's rendition of "Freedom Jazz Dance" is... read more
Michael Kocour - East of the Sun
by Dan Bilawsky, All About Jazz
The ease of expression with which pianist Michael Kocour unspools standards tends to belie the greatness of his playing. With extreme comfort and control he lays out one beautiful performance after another, all the while presenting a fine balance between technical accomplishment and creative bent.
East Of The Sun—the sixth leader (or co-leader) date from Kocour, and the third to offer a detailed look at his solo piano work—largely... read more
Gustavo Cortinas - Esse
by Hobart Taylor, KUCI - Irvine, CA
Debut recording for this drummer and composer originally from Mexico. Here he is working with some of Chicago's finest, the wonderful Kitt Lyles on bass, Hans Luchs, guitar, Joaquin Garcia, piano, Justin Copeland, trumpet, Adam Thornburg, trombone, and tenor sax work from Roy McGrath or Artie Black. I mention the entire cast of characters because this is ensemble work at the highest level. The compositions are thoughtful, engaging, and... read more
Jun Iida - Evergreen
by Miquel Tuset Mallol, Radio Sant Vicenc (Barcelona)
The warm tone and welcoming trumpeter Jun Iida, the cunning selection of tracks and his sublime sense of melody lead his debut recording. After five years in Los Angeles and three in Seattle, "Evergreen" is reminiscent of the musical approach and development that went It took place during those years, while he now goes on to live new adventures in New York. Recorded in Los Angeles, Jun reunited friends of L.A. who accompany him on this project... read more
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