First time worldwide CD release for this 1976 Jazz Fusion album by keyboardist/songwriter Jan Hammer. Featuring musical assistance from bassist Fernando Saunders, drummer Tony Smith and violinist/guitarist Steve Kindler. ... more »The album reached #22 on the Billboard Jazz Album charts. Wounded Bird. 2006.« less
First time worldwide CD release for this 1976 Jazz Fusion album by keyboardist/songwriter Jan Hammer. Featuring musical assistance from bassist Fernando Saunders, drummer Tony Smith and violinist/guitarist Steve Kindler. The album reached #22 on the Billboard Jazz Album charts. Wounded Bird. 2006.
CD Reviews
One of those flashbacks they always promised...
Phil Watkins | Kansas City, MO USA | 01/09/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Yes, I still have my original vinyl copy. "Oh, Yeah?" got constant play when first released back in 1976. Tight, with amazing time changes & incredible hooks, this one wins over everyone who hears it.
Jan Hammer is backed by Jerry Goodman on violin (with whom he did the album "Like Children" earlier), and had worked with during his stint with The Mahavishnu Orchestra. Also on board are Fernando Saunders on bass, and Tony Smith on drums, who are currently working with Lou Reed (!).
A precurser to Hammer's work on "Miami Vice", this proves that he was no one-hit (or one soundtrack) wonder.
If you are a fan of electronic keyboards, The Mahavishnu Orchestra, or in-your-face beats, this is a must-have."
Magical!!!
Star Thrower | 01/01/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Listening to this album is pure joy! Jan Hammer is one of the most brilliant and inventive keyboard soloists in modern music. His enthusiasm and personality transcend his chosen instrument (the moog synthesizer)to inspire the listener and accompanying musicians. Equally brilliant are guitarist/violinist Steve Kindler, and bassist Fernando Saunders. Included are a few of Hammer's ingenious compositions Magical Dog, Bambu Forest, and Red and Orange. My personal favorite is Rick Laird's lyrical tune Evolove. The beautiful melody and infectious rhythms keep me coming back for more of this tune after 25 years. It's impossible to sit still while listening to this piece and the funky title track. This album obtains a perfect balance of progressive compositional sensibilities and r&b earthiness. Recommended!"
An Important Recording
J. Brow | Seattle, WA USA | 11/08/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I ordered this to replace my vinyl, have been waiting years for this to be released on CD and highly recommend this CD for many reasons. First, this is one of those "important" records of the Fusion era. "Magical Dog," the opening track, is written and brilliantly improvised in 11/8 time at a very fast tempo. This was ground-breaking in the 1970's and other tracks are written in odd time signatures. Second, Jan Hammer's use of lead synthesizer and unusual instrument line-up. This is fresh to listen to even now. All the musicians are on this recording are top-notch, extremely technical and talented--and went on to work with many other important musicians. It's very difficult to classify this as anything but "Fusion" and even then that's a stretch with pop-type songs inserted.
I have followed Jan Hammer's career ever since I heard "Led Boots" by Jeff Beck and found out about it was he who played on Jeff Beck's "Wired" album. Always a fun album to listen to!"
Oh, Yeah? Oh, Yeah!
Clifford P. Beede | Stuyvesant, NY USA | 11/08/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've had this recording on vinyl since about 1978. It's the only Jan Hammer I own, so I can't fairly compare it to anything else of his. But I love it. You would be hard-pressed to call it "jazz" per se--actually it's much closer to being a rock recording. What a combination, though! Synthesizers galore, violin (Steven Kindler), bass (Fernando Saunders), and a drummer (Tony Smith) who sings lead vocals on a couple of cuts! He has a light soul voice that adds yet another dimension to this very diverse recording. I can't understand why it took so long for someone to release "Oh, Yeah" on CD, but I guess the popularity and recognition of the Miami Vice soundtrack, which Jan Hammer wrote and performed kind of precludes everything else. Whatever. Now it's available, and at a very reasonable price. No fancy liner notes or bonus tracks, but the remastered recording (by Jan Hammer himself) sounds fabulous. Chant along and enjoy-"Oh, yeah?...Oh, yeah!""
Lost in time
broderick nutter | 04/09/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Ahhh! Hearing this album again is pure bliss. I bought it when it was first release,in 1976, after reading a review in Billboard Mag. It quickly became one of my favorite lps. That was 34 years ago. I was the only one I knew that had it. Now, after 30 years of not hearing it, I remember why I loved it so much. Being a heavy George Duke, Herbie Hancock, Chick and Joe Z. fan, Jan is right up there in the mix. I was sad when he went pop with the Miami Vice thing, but this album comes from the golden age of "Fusion". If you have a fondness for that type of music, then you'll love this cd. In my opinion, his best work with his best band. Nuff said."
Track Listings (8) - Disc #1