Browse some recent OA2 Reviews.
Randy Napoleon - Waking Dream
by Anne Carlini, Exclusive Magazine
For those not in the know, surrounded by the brilliant musical family who have centered his band for years — bassist Rodney Whitaker, pianist Rick Roe and drummer Quincy Davis — guitarist Randy Napoleon calls back four of his fleet-fingered, virtuoso former guitar students to share the stage and build up something new for this ambitious album, his 10th as a leader, Waking Dream.
Centered on compositions from the prolific Gregg Hill, along... read more
Darden Purcell - Love's Got Me in a Lazy Mood
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
The D.C. resident and vocalist Darden Purcell finds herself in the sounds of the '60s for this 3rd recording as leader, where Joe Locke, Shawn Purcell, Todd Simon, Jeff Reed and Todd Harrison are along for the timeless listen.
"Willow Weep For Me" opens the listen with Purcell's smooth voice alongside Simon's elegant keys and Locke's flowing vibes, and the title track follows with a sublime intimacy that uses Harrison's reserved drums... read more
Debbie Poryes - Catch Your Breath
by OJS, Oregon Jazz Scene
Try as we might, there are too many ?uderdog? pianists out there to acquaint ourselves with all of them. However, one of those worth discovering is Debbie Poryes, a jazz pianist with taste, touch and talent. Her trio includes Bill Douglass, bass, and David Rokeach, drums. On most of the tunes here, she adds the alto and soprano sax of Bruce Williamson. Poryes displays a well-balanced program of standards and originals. Check out her introduction... read more
Gustavo Cortinas - Esse
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
The drummer from Mexico finds a bunch of simpatico players in Chicago while working on his masters at Northwestern and they turn in music that more than just a bunch of notes. With the forward kind of thinking that tempts you to label him as Tito Puente III, you can dance, you can listen and you can enjoy this thoroughly throughout. Soulful enough that you have to call this playing right from the heart, this round of Latin jazz inspired by... read more
Medler Sextet - River Paths
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
A Portland sextet spearheaded by Ben Medler and Michelle Medler, the 6 originals here emit plenty of harmony, grooves and nods to Mingus, George Russell and Gil Evans.
The atmospheric "Subway Jam (Morning)" leads with Michelle's bright tenor sax alongside Todd Bishop's frisky drums via the melodic climate, and the title track follows with a rich ambience thanks to Paul Mazzio's radiant trumpet and Ben's playful bass lines.
"Smoldering"... read more
George Cotsirilos - Silenciosa
by C. Michael Bailey, All About Jazz
Silenciosa is a superb solo guitar recital by Joe Pass-Charlie Byrd devotee and Bay-Area veteran George Cotsirilos. Despite the title, this is not a Latin-oriented jazz recording. Mr. Cotsirilos basically very ably performs the Great American Songbook and a classical nylon string guitar. His performance is intelligent and bright with virtuosic flashes as would be thrown off by the aforementioned Pass. The ballads, "My Romance," "Just Friends,"... read more
Jeff Baker - Phrases
by Raul da Gama, JazzdaGama
The uniquely thoughtful and penetrating insights offered by Jeff Baker in an earlier recording, Of Things Not Seen (OA2 Records, 2009) (and indeed all of his other recordings as well) led to high expectations of Phrases - especially as the music is sung in such illustrious company, with Darrell Grant and others. And we are not disappointed. As one may hear on this album, from the very start, Mr. Baker's bouquet of poetic vocals is lightly held,... read more
Chris Amemiya & Jazz Coalescence - In the Rain Shadow
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
Here�s a Seattle group that has been putting in their time and the pride in their work shows. Hard boppers that can dip their toe in mainstream jazz waters and make it all sound right, this crew knows how to stir it up into a fine concoction. With a smoking bone leading the way, this set gets going in high gear and never backs down from there. With it�s classic feeling, this is just what the listener looking for something meaty is looking for.... read more
Looking for a specific review?
This is just a small collection of the OA2 Records reviews. Click here to view all reviews or try to Search for your favorite CD title.
Search Reviews:
Recently Added Reviews:
Jeff Baker - Phrases
by Robert Shore, JazzWise (UK)
Ben Markley - Basic Economy
by Tony Hall Facebook Email, JazzWise (UK)
Todd DelGiudice - Mas Alto
by Thierry De Clemensat, Paris Move
Ben Markley Big Band - Tuesday Morning Feeling
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
George Cotsirilos - In the Wee Hours
by Dee Dee McNeil, Making A Scene
Kate Olson - So It Goes
by Editor, Women in Jazz Magazine
Fumi Tomita - The Elephant Vanishes: Jazz Interpretations of the Short Stories of Haruki Murakami
by Kevin Johnson, No Treble
Fumi Tomita - The Elephant Vanishes: Jazz Interpretations of the Short Stories of Haruki Murakami
by Derek Ansell, Jazz Journel (London)
Fumi Tomita - The Elephant Vanishes: Jazz Interpretations of the Short Stories of Haruki Murakami
by Editor, France Musique
Jun Iida - Bellflower
by Scott Yanow, Los Angeles Jazz Scene