Record Reviews

O.N.E. ~ ENTOLOMA AUDIO CAVE 2022/003 (Barcode: 5908298549445) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2021 Released: 2022 This is the second album by the Polish all female Jazz ensemble O.N.E.Find albums by this artist reduced to a quartet with pianist Paulina AtmanskaFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Monika MucFind albums by this artist, bassist Kamila DrabekFind albums by this artist and drummer Patrycja WybranczykFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine original compositions, three by Atmanska and two each by the other members of the ensemble. The music this time moves away from mainstream oriented solid melodic themes and comprises of more open and challenging compositions, which is a huge step forward in comparison to the debut. These young female improvisers definitely don’t intend to play it safe and take their music seriously, with the risks involved. As a result, the album is quite a challenging listening experience, which at times creates a longing for a piece of solid melody here and there, but alas that aspect of the ensemble’s character is gone once the opening track is over. A little more balanced approach might have worked somewhat more effectively, but that of course was obviously a conscious decision by the ensemble members. Perhaps a little less vamping and a bit more solid harmony might have turned this album into an extraordinary achievement, but it definitely is a move in the right direction. Overall, this is an interesting, at times challenging piece of modern European Jazz, which perhaps is a tad too undisciplined, but definitely very well played and showing a development path for this intriguing ensemble. Definitely worth investigating!

Updated: 31/03/2022Posted: 31/03/2022

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O.N.E. ~ ONE AUDIO CAVE 2020/007 (Barcode: 5908298549063) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2019 Released: 2020 This is the debut album by Polish Jazz ensemble O.N.E.Find albums by this artist comprising of five female representatives of the young generation of the local scene: saxophonist Monika MucFind albums by this artist, violinist Dominika RusinowskaFind albums by this artist, pianist Paulina AtmanskaFind albums by this artist, bassist Kamila DrabekFind albums by this artist and drummer Patrycja WybranczykFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven pieces, three composed by Muc, two by Atamanska, one traditional tune and one composition by Krzysztof KomedaFind albums by this artist. The music is quite characteristic of the young Polish Jazz scene; full of melancholy and folkloristic influences, strictly melody based but with open space for improvisation and soloing. The rather unusual instrumental lineup (see violin) creates a particular sound, which takes time to get used to. These Ladies have of course perfect schooling and a lot of playing experience behind them, which results in spotless execution, both by the front line and the rhythm section. The original compositions are well structured, albeit a bit hesitant in their nature, which results in a certain lack of focus, as far as the album as a whole is concerned. But considering the fact that this is a debut offering, this is a minor point and can be easily forgiven. This album offers a perfect opportunity to exam the timeless issue of "Women´s Jazz", which always annoys me. I´d rather leave gender out of music the same way we should avoid dealing with race or religion. We should concentrate on giving woman equal opportunity instead. As this album proves, women can be certainly as creative, adventurous and clever as men in every aspect of life. Overall this is an important debut, which hopefully will open a recording continuance for this gathering of Jazz Amazons (daughters of Harmonia), for the years to come. Definitely worth investigating!

Updated: 31/03/2022Posted: 18/05/2020

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O.N.E. ~ WELL, ACTUALLY… APRIL 153 (Barcode: 5709498115320) ~ POLAND ~ Avant-Garde Jazz Recorded: 2024 Released: 2025 This is the 3rd album by the Polish Jazz all female quartet O.N.E.Find albums by this artist, which comprises of saxophonist Monika MucFind albums by this artist, pianist Kateryna ZiabliukFind albums by this artist (who replaced founding member Paulina AtmanskaFind albums by this artist), bassist Kamila DrabekFind albums by this artist and drummer Patrycja WybranczykFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten tracks, all original compositions by the quartet members: three each by Ziabliuk and Wybranczyk and two each by Drabek and Muc. The music continues the direction pointed by the previous album, i.e. exploring advanced inventiveness, based on composed themes, but moving constantly towards free improvisation and Avant-Garde vistas. Whereas the previous album was somewhat chaotic and searching, this new one definitely points out that the quartet managed to find its path and focus its aesthetic direction, creating a most rewarding musical statement. Perhaps the fact that Ziabliuk joined the quartet was the final missing link, which consolidated it into a perfect creative tool, and considering her work on the album by Zygmunt Pauker TrioFind albums by this artist, entitled “Zygmunt Idzie Na SpacerFind albums with this title”, might be just the proof. I am really glad to hear the progress this quartet made over the relatively short time, despite the difficult period of the pandemic, which put much of the Artistic development of hold. Hopefully this lineup of the quartet will prove to be stable for a long period of creativity and development, as these young women Artists have what it takes to produce superb Jazz music. Overall, this is a wonderful, elegant, challenging and stimulating Jazz album, which demands intellectual effort and open-mindedness from the listener, but rewards his patience with creative music, which never stands still. Releasing the album on the excellent Danish label AprilFind albums on this label Records should bring the music to a wider international audience, which the music and its creators truly deserve. Congratulations, Ladies!

Updated: 26/12/2025Posted: 26/12/2025

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