Browse some recent OA2 Reviews.
Carrie Wicks - Reverie
by Paul Rauch, All About Jazz
Seattle-based vocalist Carrie Wicks is back with her fourth effort on the Origin label, and while there are many similarities stylistically with her previous efforts, Reverie more draws from the original compositions of Wicks and her partners Ken Nottingham and Nick Allison.
One of the commonalities between the recordings is Wicks' insight into putting together a top shelf unit on her behalf. Even more so, including pianist Bill Anschell in... read more
Francesco Crosara - Circular Motion
by Anne Carlini, EXCLUSIVE MAGAZINE
For those not in the know, Francesco Crosara is an Italian jazz pianist and composer who has performed at select musical venues internationally. Furthermore, over his illustrious career thus far, he has also performed with Lionel Hampton, Freddie Hubbard, Roy Hargrove, Richie Cole, Von Freeman, Lilian Terry, Bobby Shew, Ira Sullivan, Don Menza, John Heard, Gabe Baltazar, Bruce Forman, Barbara
Morrison, Earl Palmer, and more. With a style that... read more
Phil Parisot - Creekside
by Paul Rauch, All About Jazz
4-STARS With his second recording as a leader, Seattle drummer/composer Phil Parisot follows up his debut record, Lingo (OA2, 2016), with Creekside (OA2, 2017), an interpretation of how nature manifests itself within urban environments. It's sound reflects the natural world perceived within the context of urban life, as a primal, inexhaustible source of enveloping sanctuary, seeing human participation as another link in the primordial... read more
Francesco Crosara - Circular Motion
by Oscar Groomes, O's Place
Pianist, composer Francesco Crosara assembles a fine team of musicians for Circular Motion. There are three distinct trios The first includes Farko Dosumov (b) and D'Vonne Lewis (d) on four selections. Clipper Anderson (b) and Mark Ivester (d) join Crosara on four songs, and Osama Afifi (b) and Xavier Lecouturier (d) play on two selections. We enjoyed "Julia's Tango" with this first trio and Crosara on synthesizer for the introductory opening.... read more
Francesco Crosara - Circular Motion
by Matt Micucci, JAZZIZ
*EDITOR'S CHOICE* Chick Corea's influence on Francesco Crosara can be heard throughout the Italian-born pianist's recent recording Circular Motion (OA2). Like Corea, Crosara refuses to be pigeonholed as a straightahead or fusion jazz artist, but rather seamlessly combines their aesthetics and instrumentation throughout the album. The Seattle-based pianist employs three separate trios over the original 10-track program, and switches... read more
Mai-Liis - Kaleidoscope
by C. Michael Bailey, Wild Mercury Rhythm
By the time Canadian vocalist/composer Mai-Liis (my LEASE) recorded her debut recording Mai-Liis On Life (OA2 Records, 2021), it had taken her 30 years to become an overnight sensation—and she may be skeptical of that. Refreshing is the fact that there is not one jazz standard on either her debut or its follow-up, Kaleidoscope. That fact alone places Mai-Liis in a class by herself. As a songwriter, critics have compared her to Joni Mitchell,... read more
Jun Iida - Evergreen
by Scott Yanow, DownBeat
Trumpeter Jun Iida, who makes his recording debut on Evergreen, grew up in St. Louis and Pittsburgh, spent time in Los Angeles, and during the past three years has lived in Seattle. Before relocating to New York, he recorded Evergreen to pay tribute to his period on the West Coast.
Iida has a mellow tone and a relaxed style. While his playing is somewhat laid back and unexciting, this is a solid start and his future development should be... read more
Zach Rich - Solidarity
by Ferdinand Dupuis Panther, Jazz'halo (Belgium)
Briefly quoted from the press release for the album: "Trombonist, composer & arranger Zach Rich's "Solidarity" is an expansive, vivid program of original music, orchestrated for his Denver-based jazz quintet and chamber orchestra. Rich channels mentors, stage-mates & influences—from Billy Childs to John Clayton and Rufus Reid—infusing the music with a mergence of modern jazz dynamism and contemporary classical counterpoint, while his playing... read more
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