OA2 Records Reviews



Gordon Lee - This Path
by George Fendel, Jazz Society of Oregon

It's strictly one man's opinion, but I've always considered Portland's Lee to be a pianist rooted in the jazz art, but one open to a multitude of influences and musical colors which compliment his considerable stature in jazz. On his second CD for the Seattle-based OA2 label, Lee explores seven original compositions and five selections from other sources. Two distinct trios of esteemed Portland resident musicians give Lee outstanding support.... read more

Daria - Strawberry Fields Forever
by Chris Spector, Midwest Review

After a decade with Dan Hicks, Daria has reinvented herself as a gal. Mixing jazz with southern hemisphere jazz/world and a bunch of swing, Daria comes across as our kind of gal. Do the Beatles need another set of reinvention? Only if it's as smart and sassy as this set. Putting you on the edge of your seat to expect the unexpected, the most hardened Beatles purist will find nothing to carp about here. A winner throughout by a pro who cares... read more

Randy Napoleon - Puppets - The Music of Gregg Hill
by Sylvannia Garutch, The Jazz Word

Randy Napoleon has returned with a collective effort that is diverse and conveyed with an outstanding ensemble of talented, like-minded performers. The album centers around the music of composer Gregg Hill and is implemented by guitarist Randy Napoleon, vocalist Aubrey Johnson, and a stellar all-star jazz ensemble of Rodney Whitaker on bass, Quincy Davis on drums, and Rick Roe on piano. Special guest include Seth Edbersole on bass clarinet... read more

Erik Skov - Liminality
by George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly

Guitarist Erik Skov composes all of the tunes for the front line of Emily Kuhn/tp, Dustin L aurenzi/ts, Euan Edmonds and the rhythm section of Kitt Lyles/b and Gustavo Cortinas/dr. Skov's got an elegant sound that is lovely as he hovers through the horns and Lyles' line on "Summer Meditation" and gives dark reflections as the horns sway on the reflective "Fading Embers." His acoustic strings create a tender ripple effect with Lyles on the g r... read more

Extended - Harbinger
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record

In which we find the answer to the question of whether a 'Nawlins piano trio can show New York angularity without dipping into second line territory. Looks like the answer is yes. Without going all loft on us, this trio has great simpatico that keeps them on point instead of wandering off but they retain their sense of freedom as well. Finding a sweet spot and zeroing in on it as a crew, this bunch opens the ears nicely to new possibilities... read more

Michael Kocour - East of the Sun
by Jack Bowers, All About Jazz

4-STARS Here's another well-planned and immaculately recorded solo album by pianist Michael Kocour, his second such enterprise for OA2 Records (the first, Wherever You Go, There You Are, was released in 2015). As its title suggests, East of the Sun consists almost entirely of gems from the Great American Songbook with one zircon (guitarist Don Gibson's "I Can't Stop Loving You," a signature song for the late Ray Charles) thrown in at the... read more

Afro Bop Alliance - Revelation
by Woodrow Wilkins, Smooth-Jazz (Germany)

Call it an audible adventure. The Afro Bop Alliance Big Band goes deep with Revelation (OA2 Records, 2016).

Joe McCarthy is the leader, and handles drums and percussion. Rolando Vazquez conducts three songs. The rhythm section is comprised of Harry Appleman, piano; Jim Roberts, guitar; Tom Baldwin and Oscar Stagnaro, bass; Samuel Torres, congas on three tracks; Ed Fast, vibraphone on three tracks; and Robert Quintero, percussion on four... read more

Shawn Maxwell - New Tomorrow
by Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz

Chicago-based saxophonist Shawn Maxwell has produced an excellent run of straight ahead CD releases in the past decade, sets like his two self-produced discs, Originals (2006) and Originals II (2008), and Maxwell's House (Chicago Session LTD, 2010) before he changed his game up with Shawn Maxwell's Alliance (Chicago Sessions LTD, 2015), a shift away from mainstream quartet - sax and rhythm section - to a walk-on-the-mini-big-band wild side,... read more

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