2014-04-07
Ou was formed in Italy in 2012. The band's debut, PIsces Crises, is a busy disc with a whole lot going on. Seattle producer, Amy Denio, must have had her hands full with this one. There is ukelele, organ, a horn section, piano, bass, drums, kalimba, vibraphone, and glockenspiel all backing many voices. The whole band sings (as well as the producer!). It all comes together to form a vocal jazz sextet; but this isn't your parents' vocal jazz. What Ou makes is entirely different. There are unusual time signatures, punchy or whispery vocalizations, and odd instrumentation. Contemporary vocal jazz is one of my least favorite genres. Ou brings me into the fold.
Rebecca Ruth
PONCHO SANCHEZ AND HIS LATIN JAZZ BAND
LIVE IN HOLLYWOOD
MELODY GARDOT
My One and Only Thrill
JASON LINDNER
Now vs. Now
VARIOUS
Rumble In the Great Lakes (Best of the Detroit Jazz Fest 2007)
LENNY MARCUS TRIO
Sun Ray - A Tribute to Ray Bryant
MADELEINE PEYROUX
BARE BONES
The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.