Browse some recent OA2 Reviews.
Randy Napoleon - Waking Dream
by Anne Carlini, Exclusive Magazine
For those not in the know, surrounded by the brilliant musical family who have centered his band for years — bassist Rodney Whitaker, pianist Rick Roe and drummer Quincy Davis — guitarist Randy Napoleon calls back four of his fleet-fingered, virtuoso former guitar students to share the stage and build up something new for this ambitious album, his 10th as a leader, Waking Dream.
Centered on compositions from the prolific Gregg Hill, along... read more
Svetlana and the Delancey Five - Night at the Speakeasy
by Michael Steinman, Jazz Lives
SVETLANA and the DELANCEY FIVE MAKE "SOCIAL MUSIC" I wrote about the singer Svetlana Shmulyian and her band, the Delancey Five, more than two years ago here, and I am happy to report their first full-scale CD, NIGHT AT THE SPEAKEASY, is more than pleasing. I found it an engaging session, balancing more contemporary originals and lively versions of venerable jazz and pop classics. In his notes to the CD, Will Friedwald points out that... read more
Kate Olson - So It Goes
by Editor, Modern Drummer
Seattle saxophonist Kate Olson's new record is enjoyable and entertaining. For me, So It Goes is identified by its chord less instrumentation (which means no comping or chordal instruments like piano, guitar, or vibes.) The record begins with Olson trading with drummer Evan Woodle on a bluesy Mingus-ish blues. This is an interesting and fun start to the musical proceedings. The electric bass of Tim Carey gives the
record a more contemporary... read more
Lisanne Lyons - May I Come In
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
The inimitable vocalist Lisanne Lyons is in some fine company, as she swings through 10 rich tracks of timeless Big Band sounds.
The upbeat energy of "The Song Is You" starts with Lyons' bright voice that suits the lively brass and Mike Harvey's scrappy drums, and "This Is Always" follows with John Hart's warm guitar amid the intimate singing of the emotive climate.
"Tulip Or Turnip" lands in the middle and enlists Chuck Bergeron's bouncy... read more
Doug Hamilton - Jazz Band
by Ric Bang, The Davis Enterprise
If you've never heard of Doug Hamilton, there's a good reason; by day he's Dr. Doug Hamilton, head of surgery at two hospitals.
Hamilton didn't seriously pursue jazz until he was 40, when he picked up a trombone and began lessons - and studied arranging - at night. After 10 years, in the 1980's, he founded The Brass Connection: a Juno Award-winning group consisting of five trombones and a five-man rhythm section.
He released a CD in 1986... read more
Ben Markley - Second Introduction
by Adam Greenberg, All Music Guide
For his sophomore release (and his first with the OA2 label), pianist Ben Markley put together a mix of old friends and bigger players on the scene for a set of original compositions and a jumping, driving feel. The album opens with 5-20, giving each player some time to work out a solo and show what the newly formed quintet can do together. After a nice post-bop introduction, Markley shows a nice touch with some blues-based soloing, passing it... read more
Lynn Baker Quartet - Azure Intention
by Amazon.com, Amazon.com
In addition to being a fluid, heartfelt improviser, Denver-based saxophonist, Lynn Baker composes with an ear for melody and a mind for artistic challenge. On Azure Intention, Baker's debut recording for OA2 Records, he presents eight originals that were penned over the last 20 years.
Along with pianist Reggie Berg, drummer Paul Mullikin, and bassist Bijoux Barbosa, they create a cohesive, resonating statement ranging from Lament, an... read more
Wil Swindler - Space Bugs
by Jack Bowers, All About Jazz
Space Bugs is essentially multi-layered yet readily accessible chamber jazz admirably performed by saxophonist/composer Wil Swindler's Colorado-based Eleventet—a finely woven banquet for the ears that was handsomely recorded in May 2022 before an appreciative audience at Denver's Mighty Fine Productions. Gil Evans springs to mind when listening, as do Pete Rugolo and late- career Bob Brookmeyer.
As a composer, Swindler writes that he has... read more
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