Browse some recent OA2 Reviews.
Vince Norman / Joe McCarthy Big Band - Bright Future
by Harver Siders, Jazz Times
Release number two for the Norman-McCarthy band, and the momentum from its debut album, Words Cannot Express, as well as ten of its key players being intact, lend continuity to this exciting D.C.-based organization. Since Washington seems to have an inexhaustible supply of eager, first-rate sidemen thanks to the profusion of service bands in the Capital, co-leader/arranger, multi-instrumentalist Norman had no problem picking up where he left off... read more
Francesco Crosara - Circular Motion
by George W Harris, Jazz Weekly
Playing piano and synthesizer, Francesco Crosara mixes and matches trios with bassists Clipper Anderson/Farko Dosumov and Osama Afifi with drummers Mark Ivester/D'Vonne Lewis and Xavier Lecouturier respectively on this album of originals.
On keyboards, there's a Stevie Wonder meets Weather Report feel to "One Day Honey One Day Onions" and the deep dig of the soulful "Sarava" with some tasty electronic bass by Dosumov on "Julia's Tango". Some... read more
Danny Green - Altered Narratives
by Dee Dee McNeil, Musical Memoirs
This album features the compositions of Danny Green as well as his skills on the piano. I found his compositions to be interesting, melodic and memorable. I especially liked track #1 with its heavy blues influence, reminding me a lot of the "Killer Joe" song. I was all set for more. Then came track #2, "The Merge" which was totally different and pleasing in an entirely different kind of way. Track #3, "October Ballad" is very classically... read more
Brian Owen - Unmei
by Rick Holland, JazzRadio247.com
Brian Owen is a 23 year old trumpet artist from Seattle, Washington. Not only is he a gifted soloist, by a fine composer in his own right. In fact Unmei is a very intriguing compositional debut for such a young artist.
The compositions on this recording reflect a man of maturity beyond his years. Critics and radio stations across the US are giving this CD very favorable notice. And I believe listeners will do the same when they here this... read more
Jarod Bufe - New Spaces
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
Music and tunes birthed in the eclectic sidebar of a well known Americana road house, smoking jazz can emerge from unlikely places as long as the air is nurturing. A Chicago sax player playing like a New Yorker let's his cool school admiration parade in fine form. Backed by Chicago's incipient A team on the rise, this is a right on set for the jazzbo with daddio leanings that likes to groove from his chair. Well... read more
Liam Sillery - On The Fly
by Thomas R. Erdmann, Jazz Review
New Jersey native Liam Sillery began playing the trumpet while young, following his uncle in this endeavor. Collegiate studies started at the University of South Florida, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree. Upon graduation he moved back to the New York City area where he freelanced for 10 years before entering The Manhattan School of Music, where he earned a Master of Music degree. On The Fly is his second recording as a leader.... read more
Shawn Maxwell - New Tomorrow
by Carol Banks Weber, AXS
Back in September of last year, Chicago jazz saxophonist and composer Shawn Maxwell told AXS about a new quintet he intended to put together after successfully changing the genre with his 10-piece, pseudo-big band, Alliance, on two releases, the Feb. 18, 2014 all-original, self-titled album and a 2014 quickie EP, Bridge.
Maxwell's New Tomorrow comes out Sept. 16, a little earlier than promised, featuring a little more than a quintet, thanks... read more
George Mitchell - Play Zone
by Donald James, Jazz Review
Named after a Portland jazz haunt, George Mitchell's Play Zone is nothing if not good straight-ahead swinging post-bop jazz. There's nothing terribly fascinating or unusual about this album. Each player is incredibly competent, a term meant in only the most complementary fashion.
Mitchell handles the duties on piano and Hammond B-3, while Dan Balmer compliments with a guitar style that echoes John McLean. Balmer's tone is a bit cleaner, and... read more
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