Browse some recent OA2 Reviews.
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
Chamber 3 - Grassroots
by , Jazz Society of Oregon
The Seattle/German collective Chamber 3 seems to burst with urgency. Propelled by the Emerald City's Matt Jorgensen on drums, Grassroots is an explosive exercise in stormy postbop, with fine playing from all involved. Particularly inspired is German saxophonist Steffen Weber, who spins an inspiring blend of bebop and angular lines with a smooth, smoky tone. Though he's less eager to hog the spotlight, guitarist Christian Eckert brings an... read more
Electric Squeezebox Orchestra - Cheap Rent
by Rotcod Zzaj, Improvijazzation Nation
Some of the most joy-filled trumpet-led jazz you've ever heard on this August 2015 release - Erik's trumpet work is astounding and lively all the way through, and the cast of characters he has with him is far too large to itemize here. On songs like the total-groove 6:40 "Bolenge Shuffle", you'll find your feet wanting to "do the jazz dance"! Erik's horn on the mellow opener, "ESP", definitely has shades of Miles, and will keep your ears glued... read more
Lynn Baker - LectroCoustic
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
I�m feeling that Weather Report vibe on this set of originals that like to push the envelope. Smart, crisp playing from the whole crew drives this set with a heady abandon that feels good. In the pocket throughout, this bunch of comers is marking their territory well on this second outing which plainly shows they�ve got the right stuff. Smoking stuff you just can�t... read more
Debbie Poryes - Loving Hank
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
Since there's nothing here written by Hank Jones, and a bunch of the songs here aren't associated with Jones, this is Poryes doing her tribute to his sound and vibe. Showing the love, this is a fine reminder of the cat that was so good but seemed to spend much of his career making others look good. A winning set that is a sure bet for sitting down jazz fans, this is a mighty fine piano trio work... read more
LP and the Vinyl - Heard and Seen
by George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly
Pianist Danny Green has done creative things in trio settings, and this one with vocalist Leonard Patton takes the next journey forward. His team of bassist Justin Grinnell and drummer Julien Cantelm create ripples on a slowly undulating opus with Patton on "Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise" with Patton supplying wanderlust with the flowing trio during a David Bowie's "Life On Mars". Patton's rich tenor makes for show tune moods with Green's... read more
Danny Green - Altered Narratives
by Owen McNally, WNPR
Danny Green's eloquent eclecticism illuminates his sparkling new trio release, Altered Narratives. Before settling down and committing himself to jazz, blues, classical, and Brazilian music, the rising, young West Coast pianist/composer Danny Green immersed himself for long periods of time in numerous genres, artists, and composers. He fell in love with and romancing everything from ska and the grunge flights of Nirvana, to the musings... read more
Daria - Strawberry Fields Forever
by Raul DaGama, Jazz DaGama
Beatles repertoire, you might think, at the very outset, has been done to death by vocalists from every spectrum of the musical rainbow: Beatle-sy, jazzy, orchestral, Afro-Cuban, Brazilian and more... How differently could anyone hack the songs out once more? Well perish that thought. You haven't heard Daria yet. You'll 'blow your mind out', as the Fab Four, once sang in 'A Day in the Life' - not in a car, this time, but in your seat. So... read more
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