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
												
			THE IAN CAREY QUINTET +1
Roads & Codes
												
			GIA NOTTE
Shades
												
			KAHIL EL’ZABAR’S INFINITY ORCHESTRA
Transmigration
												
			James Taylor Quartet
New World
							
			Various Blue Note Artists
Somethin’ New
												
			Various Artists
Monterey Jazz Festival 50th Anniversary All-Stars
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.