Joan Torres's All Is Fused: Revolution

Since the band's last record, Of The Musical (Self Produced, 2016), Joan Torres' All Is Fused has taken time to dig deeper into its influences and expand its sound. This year All Is Fused returns with an evolved vibe that finds it delving deep into fusion and Latin with a slight nod to the avant-garde and Thundercat among other styles. The result is Revolution.

The album begins with the on-topic, high intensity "Rebellion." Torres, who serves as the project's bassist as well as composer, connects with drummer Fernando García in the way only long time collaborators can. These two have been playing for many years, but theirs isn't the only musical connection that stands out. Alto saxophonist Jonathan Suazo is just as at home as guitarists Gabriel Vicéns and Sergio González and keyboardist/pianist Emmanuel Rivera. There is a great group dynamic on hand.

Everyone has opportunities to shine as an individuals, too. On the epic "Moving Mountain," Torres begins with a bass passage that makes use of extended technique and eventually segues into one of the record's more open tunes, featuring a long exploratory guitar solo followed by a colorful keyboard solo. "High Stakes" provides ample opportunity for Garcia to stretch out with an extended call and response section that finds him using every space possible in his drum fills.

"Loss" is cinematic, a meditative swim through a wash of sounds. "Aftermath" offers the closest thing to a straight-ahead tune on the album. Along with Suazo's wonderfully aggressive and "out" playing on "Rebellion," there is something here for a wide variety of listeners, from fans of King Crimson through Victor Wooten to Return to Forever.