Christoph Hladowski, Peter Nicholson, Daniel Padden, Aby Vulliamy, Shane Connolly
Sounds Like
"If 'Wayward The Fourth' doesn't become a classic , it won't be for lack of wherewithal, a release so afield of norms that it treads mutant paths between farflung neoclassical prog and ECM's wilder days" Signal To Noise, Spring 2007.
"Dazzling interplay" (The Wire)
"The songs are gorgeous, twisted amalgams of European and American ethnic musics, free jazz, chamber music, minimalism and experimental plateaus rarely glimpsed in the western world, dispersed with just the right emotional -- ranging from giddy to somber -- intensity...Easily one of the best '07 has coughed up so far." (Womblife)
“I’ve been a fan of Daniel Padden’s skewed and intriguing songwriting for some time but the interplay between the 4 players on here lifts it onto a truly magical level…Influences include heavy doses of Eastern European folk music, music hall, 20th Century chamber music and Robert Wyatt but no-one else puts these elements together or sounds quite like The One Ensemble. One of the contenders for album of the year.” (Boa Melody Bar)
"Padden and his band of minstrels have created a truly unique and engaging record, one that should be celebrated for the rare beauty contained within. Highly recommended! 9/10" (Foxy Digitalis)
"The perfect soundtrack for a script yet to be written by Emir Kusturica's unkown cousin" (Mats Gustafsson, Ptolemaic Terrascope)
"Live at VPRO Radio sounds gloriously cohesive: a triumphant spontaneous creation of a wholly idiosyncratic style of folk music. " (JD, Brainwashed)
"The mixture of traditional and the spirit of exploration give the music a fire and a passion that doesnt seem to be boiling over in much modern music lately. Paddens rousing shouts and chants...add to the energy levels urging the band onwards toward almost anthemic heights. The musics complexity and the bands obvious vigour set a high benchmark for followers... VPRO have been lucky enough to catch one of those rare moments in time when a band are truly on fire." (Stylus)
"Live at VPRO Radio is a gorgeous and hypnotic work that joyously trips and tumbles through a dark, mediaeval wonderland that exists only on an astral plane; a collection of whimsical funeral dirges for a merry band of wandering monks intoxicated on bad liquor and thujone. It is a collection of hymns to wood sprites and elves; it is the soundtrack to suddenly noticing the glorious spectacle of an ant crawling up a tree trunk carrying a leaf. It is a magical conjuring act by a group of trickster alchemists wandering in a foreign land. It is often all of these things and sometimes none of them, but it is always unmistakably beautiful music." - Jonathan Dean, Brainwashed
"The only album I bought this year that I think may have a secret life all of its own when I am not watching." (Sean Witzman, Foxy Digitalis, review of The Owl Of Fives)
"Strikingly beautiful at times, Padden's music truly comes from another place. Wholly unique and lush with feeling, "The One Ensemble of Daniel Padden" is a rare and unclassifiable masterpiece." (Other Music)
"An album that is so distinctly unique in its sound that it's hard to think of any comparisons at all." Mats Gustafsson, Ptolemaic Terrascope (review of The One Ensemble Of Daniel Padden)
The One Ensemble Of Daniel Padden started life as a solo recording project, and 2 albums were released: a self-titled CD on Catsup Plate, and 'The Owl Of Fives' on Textile. After that the Ensemble became a live band and released 'Live At VPRO Radio' on Brainwashed. The band is now 'The One Ensemble', and have a new album out on Secret Eye called 'Wayward The Fourth'.
Secret Eye press release:
"The heir apparent to Moondog and Zoltan Kodaly, The One Ensemble blend European folk, narrative, popular and chamber forms to create modern compositions that provide attention-grabbing hooks and thought-provoking challenges. At times formal and at others improvisational, it is difficult to pin down the One Ensemble sound. Influences range from the classic pop-psychedelia of Robert Wyatt to the deep experimental drone of Third Ear Band. Blissful free jazz, delicate acoustic out-folk, tape collages, Eastern raga and mystical modern minimalism all peacefully coexist in the One Ensemble's uniquely beautiful universe. "
Womblife blog review:
The One Ensemble Wayward the Fourth (Secret Eye) - "Had this one a while and been trying hard to summon the words to fully capture it's strange beauty. Daniel Padden is one fourth of the always fascinating Volcano the Bear. He's also released some delectable solo albums under the One Ensemble of Daniel Padden name for the last four years. What he did then was a kind of minimal free jazz/prog folk response to what folks like Robert Wyatt and Brian Eno were doing early in their careers with multi-tracks and instruments all performed by Padden. As with the recent Live at VPRO CD-R (Brainwashed), Wayward the Fourth is the work of a genuine ensemble, quartet to be exact, captured in a studio. The songs are gorgeous, twisted amalgams of European and American ethnic musics, free jazz, chamber music, minimalism and experimental plateaus rarely glimpsed in the western world, dispersed with just the right emotional -- ranging from giddy to somber -- intensity. There's vocals on a few tracks, a few bizarre deconstructions on some others, but what strikes me most about this is the sheer musicality, the deliberate attention to space, detail and compositional structure. One Ensemble albums have always sounded like this, but just as with Volcano the Bear's brilliant Classic Erasmus Fusion (Beta-Lactam Ring), the ensemble approach has reached new depths of cinematic, multi-hued brilliance. Easily one of the best '07 has coughed up so far."
Foxy Digitalis review:
"At times turbulent and at others sombre: the music of Daniel Padden and his One Ensemble covers a lot of emotional ground. Formerly a solo venture, Padden – himself a key member of the hydra-headed Volcano the Bear – is now joined by Chris Hladowski, Peter Nicholson and Aby Vulliamy. Hladowski and Vulliamy, together with Hanna Tuulikki (who lends her voice to this recording) also release music under the moniker Nalle. Together, this topsy-turvy Glaswegian quartet put together tiny symphonies that incorporate elements of Eastern European folk, minimalist drone and string-laced chamber psych. The One Ensemble’s humbly haunted, multifarious tales look back to post-WWII Europe, following displaced settlers voyaging across the Atlantic towards the unknown. Cello, bouzouki, clarinet, guitar and piano all play a key role in reciting the woeful tale of humanity’s uncertain future. The most prominent and effective instrument however, is Padden’s plaintive wordless vocal, which at times evokes spirits formerly unearthed by Jeff Mangum. The intoxicating brew crafted by the deft hands of The One Ensemble is not difficult to swallow; its complex palette is cleverly disguised with beautiful melodies and a healthy dose of hopefulness. Padden and his band of minstrels have created a truly unique and engaging record, one that should be celebrated for the rare beauty contained within. Highly recommended!" 9/10 -- Bryon Hayes (3 April, 2007)
Daniel Padden is a member of Volcano The Bear.
Aby Vulliamy and Chris Hladowski are members of Nalle.
My first EP, The Rats Rain Down, is available now as a free download from Clinical Archives. Free Improvisation with a skittering glitchy sound palate. Please give it a listen if you can!
Hi One Ensemble! Thanks so much for your friendship & support! I just wanted to let you know that my new e.p. “Paper Box” is available now on itunes. Drop me a line and let me know how you’re doing! Visit http://www.tunecore.com/music/gayleskidmore for a link to my itunes site. Cheers! Gayle Skidmore
SUNKEN.- 'Eye Electric Organ, Brain Electric Nerve'. Deep in the swirling depths of the ocean a terrible yet wondrous beast stirs slow but sure amidst great forests of sea algae. Taking on the form of a pair of conjoined drown-ed sailors it sets forth upon the currents determined to loose its apocalyptic vision upon the earth via droning sea shanty and great humming hymn. Sunken is the duo of sunken sailors Stefan Neville (Pumice) and Antony Milton (Nether Dawn/A.M etc). Using a range of organs, sonar gear, live tapeloops, vocals and an unhealthy amount of submarine reverb they create a glorious droning pop noise. 'Eye Electric Organ, Brain Electric Nerve' follows on from their acclaimed self titled debut (also on PseudoArcana) and various compilation appearances. You can hear a sample from the album here. CD. NZ$20 (post incl) Visit www.pseudoarcana.com for details.
In sharp pangs and dolorous hissings round Enitharmon's loins folding, the globe of our life blood trembles, branching into roots: fibrous writhing, pale and waving before our deathy faces! PSYCHOSEXUAL!
THE HOT CLUB IS HOSTED BY RAFLA OF SLEAZYS AND NOBODADDY OF THE PHANTOM BAND
NICE'N SLEAZY 27th Oct 11.30pm-3am £3 (entry to both floors)
Surrealist Editions will be publishing a collection of my poetry featuring photographs by Bill Howe entitled 'The Bridge of Shadows' in October 2007. The price will be £10 including postage. Cheques made payable to "Surrealist Editions" 6 Aberdeen Grove, LEEDS. LS12 3QY. England.
For further information please email surrealism@madasafish.com or send me a message on My Space.
There'll be a book launch on the 13th of October in Leeds at the Cross Keys pub at 1pm.
hello / bonjour, here is "JOHANN BOURQUENEZ trio", the last jazz release from my netlabel: INSUBORDINATIONS. it's directly here to download the complet album (also available as a limited cdr serie) peace !
