Browse some recent OA2 Reviews.
Unhinged Sextet - Clarity
by Edward Blanco, All About Jazz
4 1/2 STARS The debut recording from one of the most exciting new groups around, Clarity documents a boppish session of straight ahead traditional jazz delivered by the Unhinged Sextet, a well-seasoned cast of players from all corners of the country who have joined forces for this dynamic recording. Led by pianist Michael Kocour, Director of Jazz Studies at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona, where the project was... read more
Gustavo Cortinas - Esse
by Tom McCarter, KZSU (Stanford Radio)
Terrific drummer leads a talented sextet with alternating sax players added. The music covers a wide range and has a Latin tinge but is not what I would call Latin jazz. Mr. Cortinas does a nice job showcasing his fellow musicians with plenty of room to work out. All... read more
Tom Tallitsch - Medicine Man
by Karl Stark, Philadelphia Enquirer
After 12 years in Philly, tenor saxophonist Tom Tallitsch can meet the demands for what a tenor should sound like.
This is no small thing. The Cleveland native, who was schooled at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, is a regular on a club scene here, where the tenor standards are high. Tallitsch doesn't hammer you with technique; instead, he finds the magisterial in an unhurried way.
Tallitsch plays a big tenor,... read more
Rich Pellegrin - Three-Part Odyssey
by Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz
**** 4 1/2 STARS - What a strange, compelling, often circuitous trip Three-Part Odyssey is. Pianist/composer/bandleader Rich Pellegrin has collected a youthful quintet of Seattle's boldest and most energetic musicians for his debut CD - 73 minutes of audacious grooves inside a set of freewheeling compositions that showcase each band member's individual virtuosic prowess without abandoning the collective mood.
Along with the... read more
Ben Neuman - Introductions
by John Barron, All About Jazz
Chicago pianist Ben Neuman explores the realm of piano trio jazz for his debut release Introductions. A straight-ahead affair with clever re-harmonizations of familiar standards, as well as classics by John Coltrane, Herbie Hancock and Horace Silver, the young pianist demonstrates an enlivened approach to hard-swinging improvisation. A pair of Chicago stalwarts, bassist Dennis Carroll and drummer George Fludas join Neuman.
Coltrane's... read more
Rich Pellegrin - Episodes IV-VI
by Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz
(****) Pianist Richard Pellegrin offered up his first installment of Three Part Odyssey (OA2 Records) in 2011. It's a musical journey inspired by travels through Europe and North Africa. Employing a superb quintet, three "Episodes" blossomed from a first-rate collective approach. Pellegrin and his group follow this up with Episodes IV-VI, featuring a slightly more reflective mode, added to the same originality, top level... read more
Paul Tynan & Aaron Lington - Bicoastal Collective: Chapter Six
by Russell Perry, WTJU
Both trumpeter Paul Tynan (Nova Scotia) and baritone player Aaron Lingston (San Jose) have serious classical music chops and both are master jazz players. For this, their sixth collaboration, they have chosen a chord-less trumpet - baritone - bass - drums quartet and it has nothing to do with the famous Gerry Mulligan / Chet Baker or Art Farmer sound. This is much more about harmonies than counter-points. The leaders split the writing... read more
The Taylor / Fidyk Big Band - Live At Blues Alley
by Ric Bang, The Davis Enterprise
You probably aren't familiar with either Mark Taylor or Steve, Fidyk, but you'll want to be after listening to this wonderful release.
Taylor is a composer/ arranger who got his start doing charts for the Stan Kenton orchestra; Fidyk is a percussionist who has played in many of the great jazz groups and in back-up bands for innumerable vocal artists. They met while both were members of the Army Blues, a well known millitary band.
This... read more
Looking for a specific review?
This is just a small collection of the OA2 Records reviews. Click here to view all reviews or try to Search for your favorite CD title.
Search Reviews:
Recently Added Reviews:
Jun Iida - Evergreen
by Editor, Bman's Blues Report
Zach Rich - Solidarity
by Jack Bowers, All About Jazz
Paul Tynan & Aaron Lington - Bicoastal Collective: Chapter Five
by George Harris, Jazz Weekly
Paul Tynan & Aaron Lington - Bicoastal Collective: Chapter Five
by j. poet, DownBeat Magazine
Francesco Crosara - Circular Motion
by David Witter, Fra Noi Magazine
Francesco Crosara - Circular Motion
by Jan van Leersum, RootsTime.BE (Belgium)
Francesco Crosara - Circular Motion
by Matt Micucci, JAZZIZ
Ben Winkelman - Heartbeat
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
Darden Purcell - Love's Got Me in a Lazy Mood
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
Charlie Apicella & Iron City meet The Griots Speak - Destiny Calling
by Marco Cangiano, The New York City Jazz Record