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
HIROMI
Voice
Thad Jones
One More: The Summary: Music of Thad Jones Volume 2
DAVE SIEBELS
With Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band
JACK DEJONETTE AND BILL FRISELL
The Elephant Sleeps But Still Remembers
BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY
HOW BIG CAN YOU GET ?
Various Blue Note Artists
Somethin’ New
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