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
Tin Hat
The Sad Machinery of Spring
DAFNIS PRIETO PROVERB TRIO
Dafnis Prieto Proverb Trio
TOM GAVORNIK
A Long Time Ago...
Various Artists
European Jazz Stage (Radio Netherlands Worldwide)
Adison Evans
Hero
REGINA CARTER
Reverse Thread
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