Browse some recent OA2 Reviews.
Gustavo Cortinas - Esse
by Gaby Sanchez, Couleurs Jazz (France)
Gustavo Cortiñas, Mexican drummer and composer, living in Chicago, thinks and therefore is... Inspired by the philosophers from Plato to Hegel, from Aristotle to Descartes, or even Nietzsche, his jazz has the nuances and Couleurs of Mexico, Latin America: melodies, harmony, and also the Chicago swing. In any case a positive music and philosophy, joyful and septic sometimes. An ode to life ... I listen to Jazz therefore I am...
Gustavo... read more
Nathan Borton - Each Step
by Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz
The 1960s were fine and formative times for jazz guitar. Wes Montgomery was there. So was Grant Green. The pair led the pack, and still do, to an extent. Guitarist Nathan Borton, with his debut recording, Each Step, embraces the traditions of these two influences.
Borton's sound comes directly out of the straight ahead bebop style, beginning with the album's title tune, a Borton original—a gorgeous easy swinger. Cole Porter's oft-covered... read more
Jeremy Levy Jazz Orchestra - The Planets: Reimagined
by Customer Review, Amazon
The ensemble writing and playing here is unbelievable! This music contains some very challenging stuff. The band includes top LA studio musicians. The soloists fit perfectly in each piece! The solists include Andy Martin, Alex Budman, Michael Stever, Tom Luer, and Andrew Synowiec.
The mix is great. You can clearly hear each section. This album is big fat punchy big band excellence!
Nothing is recycled or typical here. Jeremy pulled out... read more
Charlie Porter - Immigration Nation
by Hrayr Attarian, Chicago Jazz Magazine
Trumpeter Charlie Porter's second release as a leader, Immigration Nation, is a stunning magnum opus that demonstrates a maturation of the ideas and concepts explored on Porter's eponymous debut. Moreover, this tribute to America and its immigrants is a many layered, two-part work that is both multifaceted and thematically cohesive. Porter leads a like-minded quintet through his stimulating and emotive original music with a rare blend of... read more
Daria - Strawberry Fields Forever
by Paul Freeman, Pop Culture Classics
Daria has reimagined Lennon/McCartney songs, giving them jazz twists and often utilizing bossa nova or Afro-Cuban rhythms. Approach the project with open minds and ears and the results will be rewarding. The tunes take on an entirely different feel. The vibrant, inventive vocalist gives "Can't Buy Me Love" a very cool sound. "The Fool On The Hill" is impeccably arranged. "Helter Skelter" really cooks. "She's Going Home" is a moving ballad, as is... read more
Will St Peter / Steven Heffner / Steve Barnes - Honestly
by George W Harris, Jazz Weekly
Guitarist Will St. Peter brings his #2 pencil toned guitar together with Steven Heffner/b and Steve Barnes/dr for a mix of originals and overlooked originals. The focus here is on pastel tones, with a gentle coolness of mood on "Days of Wine and Roses" and the sleekly polished "Tangerine". Barnes and Heffner do some rich interplay during Ornette Coleman's "Turnaround" and create a somber pace on the guitarist's "Driftwood". St. Peter gives some... read more
Jun Iida - Evergreen
by Editor, Bman's Blues Report
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Evergreen, from Jun Iida and I like it's upbeat attack. Opening with Gooey Butter Cake a real nice track, Jun Iida on trumpet has the melody, with a adventurous bass line by Jonathan Richards. Josh Nelson on piano lays in a really nice, New Orleans flavored solo complimented heavily by Xavier Le Couturier on drums and Masami Kuroki on guitar follows with a spicy guitar solo of his own... read more
Juli Wood - Synkka Metsa
by Dave Rogers, WTJU - Richmond
Tenor saxophonist Juli Wood leads her quartet in transforming eight Finnish folk songs into jazz pieces. The songs are somewhat mellow but swing well and draw the listener into the wonderful melodies which recall the most wonderful aspects of the cool jazz era. Wood is supported by Alejandro Urzagaste (guitar), Clark Sommers (bass), and Mike Schlick (drums) on this splendid set. Cool, swinging, and fresh!... read more
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