Jamie Oehlers

Author: John Clare
Date: 25/11/2006
Publication: Sydney Morning Herald

YOU R HERE
Session Two: Jamie Oehlers Double Drummer Group (Jazzhead)

Many of the lurching, battered heroes of hard rock roar on with surprising potency; and so do those of free jazz, as this year's Wangaratta Festival of Jazz proved.

The spirit is taken up by new generations, but rarely with such energy as here. Powered by drummers Simon Barker and Ben Vanderwal and buoyed by Rodrigo Aravena's bass, the themes and improvisations come at you with exhilarating force. These hurricanes can evaporate suddenly in ethereal passages

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Author: John Clare
Date: 25/11/2006
Publication: Sydney Morning Herald

YOU R HERE
Session Two: Jamie Oehlers Double Drummer Group (Jazzhead)

Many of the lurching, battered heroes of hard rock roar on with surprising potency; and so do those of free jazz, as this year's Wangaratta Festival of Jazz proved.

The spirit is taken up by new generations, but rarely with such energy as here. Powered by drummers Simon Barker and Ben Vanderwal and buoyed by Rodrigo Aravena's bass, the themes and improvisations come at you with exhilarating force. These hurricanes can evaporate suddenly in ethereal passages. Here the piano of Sam Keevers steps on air, sustained by a kind of harmonic anti-gravity. Tenor saxophonist Oehlers and trumpeter Scott Tinkler are currently at a peak, especially on this disc. After Oehlers's unaccompanied solo on track three, the band crashes in like a building falling on you. On track five, guitarist James Muller duels with Tinkler. This music does something very different with time and space.

THE AUSTRALIAN
9 Sep 06

You R Here Session One
Jazzhead
* * * * 1/2
THERE'S so much white-hot talent packed into this album, it's surprising it doesn't glow in the dark. Multi-award-winning tenor saxophonist Jamie Oehlers has assembled a sextet of top Australian players for this live recording of five originals. Twin drummers Simon Barker and Ben Vanderwal guarantee a high standard of rhythmic grunt with no suggestion of percussive overkill, integrating beautifully with Rodrigo Aravena's inventive bass lines. Wayne's World uses twangy rock references, including wah-wah and distortion, notably on James Muller's high-velocity guitar, where those effects work better than on Sam Keevers's keyboard solo. Oehlers's sax finalises, investigating every corner of the rocky-bop theme with hurtling acceleration, high-flying glissandos and slews of raw-toned growly notes. Side Car features a lyrical opening on sax where Oehlers achieves a wavery, dreamy effect by manipulating the horn's open pads. There's a furiously exciting double-time passage before the tempo slides down to conclude in languorous and tender mood. John McBeath

You R Here
By Bev Stapleton
All About Jazz

Reviews of The Assemblers
'On this marvellous album [Oehlers'] sound is intense and mostly understated, hinting and implying rather than overtly proclaiming. A pleasure to experience. The Assemblers is compelling evidence in the continuing brilliance of Australian jazz. * * * * '
Sunday Herald Sun, Melbourne, 14 Nov 04

'[Oehlers is] a formidable musical force, the kind of player who keeps the band on its toes with a restless, searching inventiveness, stretching and developing phrases seemingly without effort. Contemporary jazz of the highest standard. ****1/2'
The Australian, Australia, 11 Sep 04

'[Oehlers'] group is the model of how powerful chemical reactions and musical dialogue can be.'
The Age Green Guide, Melbourne, 30 Sep 04

'I'd recommend The Assemblers to anyone.'
Catalyst, Melbourne, Sep 04

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