Double bassist, improviser and composer Olie Brice has previously played with ensembles which carry his name, such as Olie Brice Quintet in 2014 and 2017, as well as Olie Brice Trio and Octet in 2022. Recorded in October 2024 and released in 2025, All It Was is the first album from the Olie Brice Quartet. The common feature of such ensembles bearing Brice's name is that all their compositions were written by Brice himself alone.

The quartet which recorded All It Was comprised Brice on bass, plus tenor saxophonist Rachel Musson, with whom he had recorded the free improvised duo album Tapering Arms Point into The Wind (Weekertoft, 2018) as well as the octet album, and drummer Will Glaser who had been a member of Olie Brice Trio. The quartet was completed by the unbeatable pianist Alexander Hawkins, with whom Brice had not previously recorded.

Right from the beginning, it is obvious that the bassist has chosen his bandmates perfectly to play his compositions which are certainly jazz, rather than free improv or likewise. The album comprises six tracks which range in length from 3'27" up to 10' 42", 44' 32" altogether. Their moods vary as much as their durations and tempos; this is unsurprising as five of the six compositions are dedicated to people living or deceased; the whole album is dedicated to Brice's late father Tosh Brice. This album leaves one delighted from start to finish and hopeful that this quartet will stay together and record again soon.