OA2 Records Reviews



Francesco Crosara - Circular Motion
by Anne Carlini, EXCLUSIVE MAGAZINE

For those not in the know, Francesco Crosara is an Italian jazz pianist and composer who has performed at select musical venues internationally. Furthermore, over his illustrious career thus far, he has also performed with Lionel Hampton, Freddie Hubbard, Roy Hargrove, Richie Cole, Von Freeman, Lilian Terry, Bobby Shew, Ira Sullivan, Don Menza, John Heard, Gabe Baltazar, Bruce Forman, Barbara
Morrison, Earl Palmer, and more. With a style that... read more

Daria - Strawberry Fields Forever
by Dr. Oscar Groomes, O's Place Jazz

You can't argue with a program based on the Beatles songbook. It's been exploited by countless musicians successfully. On Strawberry Fields Forever Daria puts a mild, jazzy, country/pop twist on the classic tunes. Her voice is pleasant, crisp and inviting. Our favorites are "Come Together" and the swinging "Can't Buy Me Love". Beatles fans will enjoy yet another incarnation of their favorites while jazz fans may be enticed to expand their... read more

The Vocal Jazz Collective - Redefinition
by C. Michael Bailey, 100 Degrees at Midnight Arts Blog

One need only read the producer's name of this fine multi-vocalists disc to understand its daring and probing personality. Jeff Baker has recorded several releases for the OA2 imprint of OriginArts, including Baker Sings Chet (2004), Monologue (2005), Shopping For Your Heart (2007), and, most recently, Of Things Not Seen (2009).

Baker is a durable, talented vocalist, who also has a talent for teaching and... read more

Danny Green Trio Plus Strings - One Day It Will
by FERNANDO BONETE VIZCAINO, El Debate de Hoy

With One Day It Will , the composer and pianist Danny Green continues, successfully, his progressive exploration of new forms of fusion between jazz and classical music incorporating a string quartet to his group.

Examined with the perspective that the years allow, the musical career of Danny Green offers the listener a logical and progressive evolution, in which each piece, each album of the sound puzzle of his career makes sense... read more

Cheryl Fisher - Quietly There
by Chris Spector, Midwest Review

Picking songs that are well known but not well worn, jazz singer Fisher does a reversal on the usual jazz diva route by making a quiet album of songs you think you know as opposed to giving Cole Porter more over exposure. With composers that rank well above chopped liver represented here, this is a quiet album for quiet times when you want to shut most of the world out. Sexy without trying, this is the real deal for jazz vocal fans that want... read more

Alex Budman and the Contemporary Jazz Orchestra - Instruments of Mass Pleasure
by Dick Crockett, Sacramento Radio

Alex Budman and others on this San Francisco CD may not be as well known but listening to this
gives an accurate picture how ėmonster' talented these guys really are... There's a taste of Slide Hampton and Joe Henderson orchestrations here. Up and down the coast reflects an eager jazz reflection as there's a very hip elegant underscore here, with time signatures reflecting very hip mist of San Francisco. I think of old friend Jack Springer,... read more

Juli Wood - Synkka Metsa
by Dave Rogers, WTJU - Richmond

Tenor saxophonist Juli Wood leads her quartet in transforming eight Finnish folk songs into jazz pieces. The songs are somewhat mellow but swing well and draw the listener into the wonderful melodies which recall the most wonderful aspects of the cool jazz era. Wood is supported by Alejandro Urzagaste (guitar), Clark Sommers (bass), and Mike Schlick (drums) on this splendid set. Cool, swinging, and fresh!... read more

Ben Paterson - Breathing Space
by Ron Bierman, Jazz Review

This is a solid, straight-ahead piano trio in a well-chosen program. They play two originals and seven fine, but far from overworked standards. The arrangements are fresh sounding. The playing ranges from gently appealing on the old pop standard "I wish I Knew" to hard driving on Gigi Gryce's "Hymn of the Orient." These Chicago-based musicians are young, yet already in demand as sidemen for club dates and recording sessions. Ben Paterson is... read more

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