One Atmosphere

One Atmosphere is an album composed entirely by Texas-born saxophonist Julius Hemphill. Tzadik Records released the album in August 2003.^[1][2] It is considered experimental and avant-garde.

One Atmosphere
Studio album by Julius Hemphill
Released	August 2003
Studio	Peter Karl Studios
Genre	Experimental
Length	51:02
Label	Tzadik
Producer	Marty Ehrlich

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
All About Jazz	[3]
AllMusic	[4]

In a review for AllMusic, Thom Jurek called the opening track "one of [Hemphill's] most compelling pieces," while "Savannah Suite" "concentrates on the interrelationships of the various kinds of lyric tones and rural themes that obsessed Hemphill throughout his life." Jurek went on to describe the four-part "Water Music" as "easily the most monumental and breathtaking piece of music Hemphill ever composed... a labyrinthine work that is the epitome of Hemphill's musicality and deep, almost reverential dedication to the wind family."^[4]

Jeff Stockton of All About Jazz noted the music's "combination of blues roots and classical formalism," and wrote: "Tzadik and producer Ehrlich have performed a service documenting and making this music of Julius Hemphill available. All that's missing is the great man himself."^[3]

Track listing

1. "One Atmosphere" - 9:01
2. "Savannah Suite" - 8:20
3. "Water Music for Woodwinds: Mr. Neptune" - 9:13
4. "Water Music for Woodwinds: Miss Catherine" - 7:31
5. "Water Music for Woodwinds: King's Pawn" - 7:40
6. "Water Music for Woodwinds: Backwater" - 9:17

Personnel

Although composed by Hemphill, the music was performed by various musicians, as Hemphill died in 1995.

• Pheeroan akLaff - drums, percussion
• Tim Berne - alto and baritone saxophones
• Robert DeBellis - tenor saxophone, flute, clarinet
• Marty Ehrlich - soprano and alto saxophones, flute
• Erik Friedlander - cello
• Sam Furnace - soprano and alto saxophones, flute
• Oliver Lake - soprano and alto saxophones, flute
• Ursula Oppens - piano
• J. D. Parran - baritone saxophone, flute, clarinet
• Aaron Stewart - tenor saxophone, flute
• Pacific String Quartet

References

1. "Julius Hemphill : One Atmosphere". Tzadik. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
2. "Julius Hemphill discography". JazzLists. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
3. Stockton, Jeff (November 12, 2003). "Julius Hemphill: One Atmosphere". All About Jazz. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
4. Jurek, Thom. One Atmosphere at AllMusic. Retrieved March 12, 2012.