Browse some recent OA2 Reviews.
Rich Pellegrin - Down
by Aarik Danielsen, Columbia Daily Tribune
The final scene before a film fades to black. The last line of a novel's dialogue. The stanza which ends a poem.
Often, the end of an artwork sheds new light on everything which came before it. Last lines, final scenes, musical codas act as translators, bringing context and clarity. Everything, as novelist Jonathan Safran Foer put it, is illuminated.
The final two tracks on Rich Pellegrin's new record, "Down," lend their weight and beauty... 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
Charlie Porter - Immigration Nation
by Phil Stockli, Jazz N'More (Switzerland)
Charlie Porter's "Immigration Nation" is a two-part hardbop suite with a political message in the style of Wynton Marsalis. In the twelve original compositions he celebrates America's tradition as a nation of immigrants. The frontline consists of Porter with his warm, full trumpet sound and the fiery alto saxophonist Nick Biello, who can be heard here for the first time on the tenor saxophone. The melody lines have a New Orleans character and... read more
Adam Shulman - Here/There
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
A jazz piano man that has the ability to write flawlessly for horns, Shulman steps into the spotlight for a change and leads the next generation of San Francisco jazzbos in a wild, post bop romp in a date that shows chops, sly humor and loads of high octane great playing. Proving what a powerful source pent up energy is, Shulman is here to show the rest of the country that he can write his own ticket and impress all who lend an ear. Hot... read more
Nelda Swiggett - Blue-Eyed Painted Lady
by Dave Sumner, emusic
Gorgeous jazz-with-strings recording by pianist & vocalist Swiggett, who offers a set of tunes with a warm electricity and a fluidity of motion that just carries the listener along. Along with her standing trio of drummer Byron Vannoy and bassist Chris Symer, Swiggett recruited a cellist and violist from the Seattle Symphony, and that pairing results in some beautiful melodies getting lofted up to a high plateau via the additional harmonic... read more
Josh Moshier & Mike Lebrun - Joy Not Jaded
by Adam Greenberg, All Music Guide
Young jazz tends to go one of two directions in common form -- it can hold strictly to playing through classic ideas as the players get the music of the greats ingrained into them, or it can spin wildly out of control as the players show off their instrumental mastery with little regard for a strong, original melody. The Chicago quartet led by Josh Moshier (on outstanding keys throughout the album) and Mike Lebrun (on sax) takes neither of the... read more
The Here & Now - Break of Day
by Brian S. Lunde, Jazz Review
The Here & Now quintet's debut record, Break of Day, is a fine introduction to some young jazz musicians who began to build their sound during their high school years together in Seattle. But being serious musicians, they didn't settle for the jazz equivalent of a high school garage band; they first went their separate ways to pursue collegiate jazz education at some of the finest music schools in the country including The New School, Julliard,... read more
Lolly Allen - Coming Home
by Georges Tonla Briquet, JazzHalo (Belgium)
It was Horace Silver who at the time penned 'The Hippest Cat In Hollywood' (here the opening track). Vibraphonist Lolly Allen fulfills that role with verve without tilting to camp or kitsch. "Straight jazz" coupled with Mancini traits, Brasiliana and West Coast cool performed by a stylish cast. Music that sounds like from the era when Alan Ladd and Rita Hayworth gave color to the black and white film world. The ideal starting point is a first... 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:
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
Francesco Crosara - Circular Motion
by Ed Sapiega, Jazz Views (UK)
Francesco Crosara - Circular Motion
by Patrizia Marinelli, BackDigit Magazine (Italy)
Francesco Crosara - Circular Motion
by Hiroshi Ogawa, Jazz Life (Japan)
Francesco Crosara - Circular Motion
by Yves Dorison, Culture Jazz (France)
Francesco Crosara - Circular Motion
by Oscar Groomes, O's Place
Zach Rich - Solidarity
by George W Harris, Jazz Weekly
Ted Piltzecker - Vibes on a Breath
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect