Browse some recent OA2 Reviews.
Ted Piltzecker - Vibes on a Breath
by George W Harris, Jazz Weekly
Ted Piltzecker keeps the vibes light with a not too big band of Brad Goode/tp, Paul McKee/tb, John Gunther/ts-bcl, Wil Swindler/ts-as, Paul Romaine/dr, Gonzalo Teppa/ba, Javier Diaz/perc and Judith LeClair/bassoon on this textured collection of standards and originals. The team charges and jabs along with Swindler's baritone on a sleek read of "Seven Steps To Heaven" , and the horns get elegiac for a sublime "New Orleans". Teppa leads the way... read more
Andrew Oliver Sextet - 82% Chance of Rain
by Larry Hollis, Cadence Magazine
Portland pianist/composer Andrew Oliver heads up a two sax-sextet (for wand of a better descriptive term) that is all over the map on 82% Chance of Rain. After their debut disc on a small indie label, their sophomore effort should receive more attention since it appears on Origin's sister label, OA2. Although relatively young, Oliver is well-seasoned (and well-known around the Portland area) with membership in several different groups of... read more
Nathan Borton - Each Step
by George W Harris, Jazz Weekly
Classy sounding guitarist Nathan Borton mixes hints of Wes Montgomery and Grant Green on this winning session in quartet and beyond format with a core of Xavier Davis/p, Rodney Whitaker/b and Keith Hall/dr with guests Diego Rivera/ts and Chris Glassman/btb.
There's an easy swing reminiscent of Montgomery's halcyon days on the Riverside label on the clean and melodic "Each Step" and the supporting team shows how to dig a sharp groove on the... read more
Sara Leib - Secret Love
by Darryl Daniels, The Jazz Page
Vocalist Sara Leib makes a wonderful recording debut with Secret Love, produced by Matt Pierson. Leib delivers warm, inviting vocals over fresh new arrangements of classic and contemporary tunes. Covered are works by Cole Porter and Rodgers and Hammerstein, as well as tracks by Bob Dylan and Ben Harper. Leib devised the new arrangements most of the tunes, with the exception of the title track, re-crafted by her New England Conservatory of Music... read more
Nelda Swiggett - Blue-Eyed Painted Lady
by Lofton A Emenari, WHPK
Under The Radar: 3 Recordings that merit considerable attention. Over the past year many recordings pass my desk, some good, some not so good. Here are 3 that did not gain appreciable wider recognition and acclaim in the mass market media yet are hall marked distinctively for speaking directly to our collective human condition. 1. Joseph Daley-Portraits (Wind, Love & Thunder)- JDA Music ...String orchestra tribute to the percussion artistry of... read more
Gordon Lee - This Path
by Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
Gordon Lee comes from a varied musical background, having played a number of different styles as a sideman before turning his focus to being a leader himself. This Path utilizes two separate rhythm sections (either Dave Captein or Kevin Deitz on bass, plus Carlton Jackson or Ron Steen on drums), both of which work hand in hand with the pianist. The opener, "Pao Ma Shan," is a dramatic interpretation of a Chinese folk song in a post-bop... read more
Rich Pellegrin - Solitude: Solo Improvisations
by Paul Simpson, The Answer Is In The Beat, WCBN
Rich Pellegrin's last album was performed with the quintet he's been playing with for a decade, with one piece performed by a contemporary classical ensemble from the University of Missouri. His newest release, however, consists entirely of solo piano improvisations recorded in a church in Washington. The majority of them are brief, encountering a momentary idea and then expressing it and letting it be. Many of them resist easy patterns or... read more
Chamber 3 - Transatlantic
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
They pride themselves on not being in the same time zone but what I hear is a lot of 60s Detroit/New York leading edge jazz with that vibe that let's you know you better strap yourself in for some wild listening. Tasty stuff throughout, this trio doesn't let time zones or time stand in their way. Left leaning tastes will always welcome this sound and it makes itself known early and often. Check it... read more
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