"Mötet mellan den skotske pianisten Wells och den japanska skolavslutningsensemblen Maher Shalal Hash Baz i ett krukmakeri i sydöstra Japan för två somrar sedan är redan något av den nynaivistiska popkonstens Heliga Graal. Aldrig tidigare har så barnsligt vackra melodier framförts av en så till synes undermålig blåsorkester, aldrig tidigare har heller Maher låtit så fulländat och självklart mahersk som när någon annan dikterar villkoren. På Osaka bridge agerar Wells Gil Evans till Tori Kudos Miles Davis och när hans klarinett i Banned announcements planlöst flyger rakt in i solen fångar de själva kärnan i det som kallas maherism."
 / Andres Lokko, SvD

"Osaka Bridge comes on at times like a school band, and at times like hotel cabaret. Maher Shalal Hash Baz are a best selling Japanese big band, with brass and string sections to boot, and Bill Wells is well known as an indie-jazz stalwart, having clocked up releases on Domino and Geographic.

At first glance the coupling seems odd, like chalk and cheese, with Maher Shalal Hash Baz die-hards asking questions as to the professional direction of their favourite amateur band. However, Wells slots in inconspicuously within the whole ensemble, indulging in the excitement of playing instead of the technicalities of composing.

Osaka Bridge is full of youthful optimism, with broken pop jangles played alongside splashes of classic jazz tones. Duck is fantastic, with the brass section joyfully oblivious to bum notes and missed cues. Tipsy Cat is aptly titled, with an endearing rolling rhythm over uplifting wind sections.

The central tenet of Osaka Bridge seems to be in principles, not in the precision or skill of it's musicians. The naivety we are faced with lifts the album, giving it an angular and cluttered feel, but an image of smiling faces too, as if their parents were watching for the first time."
 / angryape.com