Browse some recent OA2 Reviews.
Nelda Swiggett - This Time
by Harvey Siders, Jazz Times
Whenever a new genre manifests itself, the occasion is significant. In the person of Nelda Swiggett, we have what can be accurately labeled "Polite Jazz." There's no better way to describe her approach to the keyboard, or her vocalizing, or her writing. Labels aside, this third album by Swiggett, as a leader, is a stunning project, put together by three imaginative swingers -- pianist Swiggett; bassist Chris Symer; and drummer Byron Vannoy --... read more
Kristen Strom - Moving Day: The Music of John Shifflett
by Dave Rogers, WTJU
Kristen Strom (soprano, alto, tenor sax, flute, clarinet) offers a beautiful tribute to her late friend and musical colleague by showcasing seven of his compositions and closing with a song of special significance for him. Scott Sorkin (guitar) and Ken Okada (bass) were also members of the quartet, which is completed by Jason Lewis (drums, percussion, vibes). There are several other musicians who guested as well: Dahveed Behroozi and John R.... read more
Craig Yaremko - CYO3
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
The sax man leads an organ trio with plenty of yummy organ playing but leaving the sax front and center. Giving a bunch of chestnuts a new fire down below and letting some originals shine as well this is tasty stuff with a progressive tip. This is a good bet whether organ or sax... read more
Liam Sillery - Outskirts
by Adam Greenberg, All Music Guide
On a third release for Origin's more exploratory arm OA2, trumpeter Liam Sillery moves slightly toward the realm of free jazz. The pieces are not entirely improvised, nor are they fully charted. Indeed, the band works in collective improvisation at varying levels throughout the album, exploring new phrasing ideas, exploring some off-kilter motifs and some particularly dissonant triads � la Sun Ra. Sillery himself honks his way through here and... read more
Jason Keiser - Shaw's Groove
by Michael van Gee, Jazz'n'More (Switzerland)
5/5 - "UNMISTAKABLY GREAT" There are many young musicians who are making jazz connoisseurs sit up and take notice with their debut albums. This is also the case with the guitarist Jason Keiser and his album Shaw's Groove, which (with the exception of the title track) contains compositions by the trumpeter Woody Shaw and the pianist Ronnie Mathews ("Jean Marie") and the organist Larry Young ("Obsequious" ) has dedicated. The... read more
Danny Green Trio Plus Strings - One Day It Will
by Raul da Gama, JazzdaGama
Danny Green is one of those pianists who would have made Debussy proud. This isn't because he is the kind musician who is ideally suited to play Debussy or because this album, One Day It Will features his now-iconic trio with strings. But when Danny Green plays the piano you forget that the instrument has hammers. He has that kind of delicate, almost silken touch. And he has power too, which is how he is able to convey mighty flapping of wings... read more
Jihee Heo - Are You Ready?
by Byungseon Yoon, MM Jazz (Korea)
Jihee Heo, a pianist who has been working in Korea after studying in Amsterdam and is currently working in New York, released a new album Are You Ready? on the OA2 label based in Seattle at the end of last year. In fact, for this writer who did not have a chance to see her debut album Passion, this work released on OA2 was quite attractive enough to satisfy his curiosity about her, and the reason for this may be the excellent... read more
Rich Pellegrin - Down
by Aarik Danielsen, Columbia Daily Tribune
The final scene before a film fades to black. The last line of a novel's dialogue. The stanza which ends a poem.
Often, the end of an artwork sheds new light on everything which came before it. Last lines, final scenes, musical codas act as translators, bringing context and clarity. Everything, as novelist Jonathan Safran Foer put it, is illuminated.
The final two tracks on Rich Pellegrin's new record, "Down," lend their weight and beauty... read more
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