The word 'project' always can sound as a side project of a known musician, or something used to express their inner musical ideas that can't be expressed on their main works. A fine example can be what Chuck Schuldiner did on CONTROL DENIED, light years from what DEATH usually did. But in the case of MIKE DELLA BELLA PROJECT, things are extremely different from the usual model. And "One" is here to state this fact. The main difference: the Italian musician/producer Mike Della Bella isn't playing or singing on this album. Although he wrote and arranged all the songs, he gathered guest musicians to play and sing, staying behind the shadows. And his musical ideas can be described as a melodic form of AOR in the vein of the 70's (so the vein of his work is the same of names as TOTO, PAT BENATAR and others in the same way), but sounding new and fresh.

Of course, it means that a good instrumental technique can be heard, but the main focuses are the sets of excellent hooking melodies with charming (and unforgettable choruses). Yes, it's truly good and charming, the kind of music to hear and enjoy time. Mike is known for his works as producer, and he made this part as well. And his efforts created an excellent sound quality, clean and defined, using very good instrumental tunes as well. And it's the reason for such fresh music: using modern technologies, he did something that sounds new and full of life, not something moldy like a zombie.

As AOR itself can absorb many influences, the songs of "One" are filled with elements that many fans can trace to Jazz, Fusion, Blues, Pop Rock and others easily. And the best ones for a first time on the album are "Turn You On" (excellent accessible melodies, with very good keyboards and guitars arrangements), the 'noir' ambiance that fills the melodies of "Until a Better Day" (the vocals are truly amazing, as bass guitar and drums parts), the electric guitar parts of "Hot Stuff" and "Unchain My Life" (these two songs are accessible to the point that the listener will be singing along after just one listening to both of them), the Prog Rock's groove heard on some moments of "Demanding Life", the mix of some heavier guitars with the AOR's accessibility heard on "It's Just Desire", and Soul Music groove of "Time". But all the songs are very good and deserve to be heard at the loudest volume possible.

The songs of "One" are material gathered from years of ideas of Mike, but it's so good that the general hope is that MIKE DELLA BELLA PROJECT can't stop just on this release. Please!