Browse some recent OA2 Reviews.
Kronomorfic - Entangled
by Maurizio Zerbo, All About Jazz / Italia
Armed with a solid musical education, saxophonist David Borgo and drummer Paul Pellegrin have put their volatile expressiveness in the service of a highly stratified concept in terms of rhythm and harmony. It is primarily Pellegrin's drumming style that's imprinted on the identity of Entangled.
The polycentricity of his rhythmic drumming and irregular metric development adds a vagueness to the flow of the sound. The interest of the... read more
Gail Pettis - Here in the Moment
by Howard Dukes, Soul Tracks
It's easy for listeners to forget, but a jazz vocalist ignores this basic fact at his or her own peril: the voice is an instrument. A whole lot of contemporary singers don?t realize that they are band members. Those singers want to be the center of attention. Their vocal acrobatics limit the creativity of their fellow musicians, turning what is supposed to be a musical democracy into a cult of personality dominated by the singer. Of course,... read more
Daniel Barry - Walk All Ways
by John Barron, All About Jazz
Drawing from his formal training as a trumpeter/composer as well as his travel experiences throughout the Caribbean and Central and South America, Seattle-based musician Daniel Barry has produced Walk All Ways, an expressive blend of multicultural influences that permeates fixed genre and categorization. With the help of a first-rate ensemble, Barry cleverly combines authentic Latin-American rhythms with Classical traditions and jazz-influenced... read more
Mason Razavi - Quartet Plus, Volume 2
by Domi, Republic of Jazz
The interesting thing Razavi does on this second 'quartet' outing is show that you can be a classically styled guitar jazzbo without having to show that you can chase the ghost of Wes and catch him. Firmly his own cat, this solid program of mostly originals is right in the pocket of great playing making for great listening. A real winner of a set, this is the kind of stuff that fools you initially into think it's dinner music but gently elbows... read more
Mason Razavi - Quartet Plus, Volume 2
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
The interesting thing Razavi does on this second 'quartet' outing is show that you can be a classically styled guitar jazzbo without having to show that you can chase the ghost of Wes and catch him. Firmly his own cat, this solid program of mostly originals is right in the pocket of great playing making for great listening. A real winner of a set, this is the kind of stuff that fools you initially into think it's dinner music but gently... read more
New Standard Jazz Orchestra - Waltz About Nothing
by Michael Jackson, Downbeat
****
Expat British trombonist Andy Baker and saxophonist Ken Partyka assembled this top-tier big band as a labor of love outside their diverse professional activities. Baker fell in love with his subsequent wife and the city of Chicago back in 2001, when he jumped ship from the excellent U.K. swing band The Ray Gelato Giants and became an in-demand session player - all while juggling parenting and teaching (he's currently director of... read more
Paul Tynan & Aaron Lington - Bicoastal Collective: Chapter Four
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
At the very least, this set is going to ping the atavistic genes in anyone that ever dug the peppy, poppy sound of greasy organ jazz bands. While the sax/trumpet duo still leads the way, they give equal time to their fellow post boppers to step up and take you back to the day. Insanely tasty and on the mark without feeling like an homage or other such silliness, this is a fine showcase for players what am. Fun stuff that’s sure to... read more
Jihee Heo - Are You Ready?
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
Moving the art of the piano trio forward, Heo has a great touch and feel for the keys and knows just how to put it all together in a non stop show of effervescence that never loses it's fizz. Mixing looks forward with looks over her shoulder, this restlessly creative spirit isn't happy unless she's really opening your ears and she hits that nail on the... read more
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