Browse some recent OA2 Reviews.
Rich Pellegrin - Solitude: Solo Improvisations
by Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz
BEST OF 2021 Richard Pellegrin has previously recorded with his "two horns and a rhythm section" ensemble, fashioning a distinctive modern jazz sound of well-constructed, forward-leaning compositions. But, with Solitude, the pianist changes gears, a shift to an intimate, contemplative solo piano recording, shaping twenty-five cohesive freely improvised pieces entitled "Improvisation I" through "Improvisation XXV." The disc's title is... read more
Jun Iida - Evergreen
by Michael Fagien, JAZZIZ
Editors' Choice Playlist Trumpeter and composer Jun Iida reflects his peripatetic life and unique musical influences on his debut album, Evergreen, featuring the straight-ahead, upbeat original "Gooey Butter Cake," paying homage to a sweet treat popular in St. Louis, where his journey began, in our playlist's conclusive... read more
JazzVox - Jazzvox Presents: In Your Own Backyard
by Libby Graham, The Listening Room
The first-ever JazzVox CD In Your Own Backyard has been such a labor of love for Nich Anderson, host of the acclaimed JazzVox Concert Series, and its pure eloquence and charm will win over the hearts of many! Nich's intention was to showcase new studio recordings by many of the recent JazzVox artists, and he accomplishes this so perfectly with an innate sense of real beauty and an intimate understanding of each artist.
The order of... read more
Jarod Bufe - New Spaces
by Hobart Taylor, KUCI, Irvine
Honey rolling down hill. Delicate finish of an ancient claret. The refreshed feeling waking from a pleasant but unremembered dream. Jarod Bufe on tenor sax, Tim Stine, guitar, Matt Ulery, bass, Jon Deitemeyer, drums.... read more
Stan Bock Ensemble - Night Grooves
by J. Robert Bragonier, All About Jazz
The Stan Bock Ensemble | OA2 Records Trombonist Stan Bock grew up with the music of horn bands like Blood, Sweat and Tears, Chicago, and the Motown groups. Although exposed early to classic jazz, swing, and the big bands by his music teacher father, he gravitated away from his early heroes (Tommy Dorsey and Urbie Green) and towards Wayne Henderson (Jazz Crusaders), Fred Wesley (James Brown), and James Pankow (Chicago). In those years, it was R&B... read more
Debbie Poryes - Catch Your Breath
by Adam Greenberg, All Music Guide
Debbie Poryes likes to use a loping approach to the piano, as it quickly becomes clear on Catch Your Breath. On the album, her second release as a leader, she works her way through a set built upon both her own compositions and standards from the Great American Songbook. The album opens with the title track, a piece that simultaneously uses stepping motifs from post-bop piano and a classic sort of urban saxophone approach courtesy of Bruce... read more
Mark Buselli / Claude Sifferlen - Take The Mitsu
by Ben Ohmart, Music Dish
You know you're in for a great evening's romance. And do wait for night to fall. It's coming earlier these days - about 5 o'clock - so you've got hours and hours to play these 50+ minutes over and over again.
Except for the classic titles you recognize, the rest of the cd was improvised. And you can tell. It is a moody collaboration, falling silent when you least expect it, picking up again for what can only be described as pensive class.... read more
Extended - Harbinger
by George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly
Every era has bands and artists that create seismic shifts in style. The Bad Plus came around in the 1990s to formulate a new type of piano trio, going away from the "mow, blow and go" of standards to a more cohesive unit. Here's a trio that drinks deeply from these waters.
The trio of Oscar Rossignoli/p, Matt Booth/b and Brad Webb/dr converse back and forth on team composed pieces. A dash of Monkish bop gets elliptical on "When the Internet... read more
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