Browse some recent OA2 Reviews.
Tom Tallitsch - Medicine Man
by Adam Greenberg, All Music Guide
A nice sophomore set from Philadelphia area saxman Tom Tallitsch, Medicine Man casually grooves its way through a series of original compositions while making full use of the accompanying band. Indeed, Tallitsch is heard less than one might expect on an album that he leads. Not that he's absent in any way from the proceedings, but this is definitely an ensemble album, not a solo project. The opening title track starts out the affair with a... read more
Danny Green - After the Calm
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
This is classic piano jazz trio work that falls so squarely in the pocket you're almost tempted to think this was a lost session from back in the day. With a set of all originals, the trio is right in step with each other turning in a set that's a tonic for weary ears. On the money throughout, if you don't like this, you just don't like piano trios. Nuff said.... read more
Will Goble - Consider the Blues
by Robert D. Rusch, Cadence
CONSIDER THE BLUES is a solid blues bop session recorded 9/5&6/15. The 11 tracks [61:56] are a mixture of 7 originals and standards but what got my attention was the opening track, track she appears on. Woodside is a new name to me, but judging from her brief appearance she seems "Another Man Done," sung by Tabreeca Woodside. This is the only impressive. Tardy is impressive, as expected, this session is well worth your... read more
Laura Welland - Love Is Never Out Of Season
by Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
Laura Welland has a direct and simple approach as a singer, sticking close to the melody and the lyrics while swinging lightly. The key to the success of this CD, her first effort as a vocalist (she also plays trumpet, piano, and bass though not here) is that Welland picked superior songs and lets the music speak for itself. Joined by a top-notch rhythm section (Bill Mays or on three occasions Larry Fuller on piano, bassist John Clayton, and... read more
New Standard Jazz Orchestra - Waltz About Nothing
by Robert D. Rusch, Cadence
This 17piece big band offers tight modern arrangements over 11 tracks [71:32]; with 6 originals from band members and 5 from outside the band like "Milestones," "Close To You" and "Star Crossed Lovers". While I don't find any identifiable footprint to the band sound (perhaps a slight touch of Kenton) what I do find, besides its tightness, is a fine use of soloists. After many listenings it was the trombone solos by Baker that continued to... read more
Stephen Martin - High Plains
by Jack Bowers, All About Jazz
Every so often, Missouri-bred saxophonist Stephen Martin bears witness to his main man, the late John Coltrane. But, for the most part, he is his own man on his second album as a leader, blowing hot, cool and earnestly on the quartet date, High Plains. Martin's disposition is decidedly contemporary, as he shows whether playing alone or with his special guests, alto saxophonist Bobby Watson (on Benny Golson's "Stablemates") or tenor saxophonist... read more
Charlie Apicella & Iron City meet The Griots Speak - Call to Action / Call to Prayer
by Kira Grunenberg, DownBeat
Knowing that Call To Action/Call To Prayer is a companion to Destiny Calling — another album by Charlie Apicella, The Griots Speak, and Iron City, recorded during the same studio session in 2022 — sparks the notion of having missed out on something important. That said, it's certainly commonplace to enjoy an album out of order from an established series or without knowledge of an overarching concept and there are plenty of elements that make... read more
Paul West - Being Alone
by Adam Greenburg, All Music Guide
Hailing seemingly from times past in jazz, Paul West here takes on the older piano and vocal jazz repertoire, performing in a nice soft, lounge style. His tone is light and rather intimate, bringing out an atmosphere of the smallest clubs. As he strolls through the repertoire, highlights from an era past spring out piece by piece. The album opens up with a Fats Waller number, moving into some Van Heusen afterward. After a jaunt through a eulogy... read more
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