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‘Embrace Form,’ the latest album from Joan Torres’s All Is Fused, marks a pivotal moment for the jazz fusion band. Released as a celebration of their 10th anniversary, the album not only showcases the ensemble’s dedication to their craft but also coincides with a prestigious grant from the San Francisco Arts Commission. This recognition adds another layer of achievement for the band, which has been celebrated for its unique blend of bass-heavy jazz, complex polyrhythms, and funk stylings.
Over their 13-year history, Joan Torres’s All Is Fused has amassed a myriad of awards and accolades. The band’s ability to weave together disparate musical elements into a cohesive sound has set them apart in the jazz fusion genre. “Embrace Form” is a testament to their evolving artistry, pushing boundaries even further by exploring the intersection of experimental instrumental music and popular forms.
The album’s title, “Embrace Form,” encapsulates its concept: using familiar musical structures as a foundation while introducing innovative twists. This approach challenges the notion that experimental music must abandon all traditional forms, instead demonstrating that creativity can thrive within and around these frameworks. By appropriating and enhancing these structures, Joan Torres and his ensemble expand their musical vocabulary and the diversity of their repertoire.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kh4W9PpuWNQ&w=560&h=315]
The album opens with “Cotati Reset,” a track that initially seems formless, like a warm-up session. However, as it progresses, melodies and harmonies emerge, creating a lush, orchestral experience that is both fluid and danceable. This opening piece sets the tone for the rest of the album, which explores a variety of genres, from lounge jazz and hard rock to modern pop.
Each track on “Embrace Form” features different compositional techniques and structures. “Explode” employs a verse-chorus form, while “Friends, Memories, Loops” revolves around vamps. “Crystalline” uses a canon technique, and “Caribbean Mountains” follows a call-and-response pattern. Even the more open improvisational forms, like those in “Cotati Reset,” offer something familiar yet novel to listeners. These familiar forms are modified and reimagined, providing a fresh take on jazz fusion.
“Embrace Form” redefines multiple genres, creating a sound that is at once familiar and innovative. By embracing and transforming traditional musical forms, Joan Torres’s All Is Fused subverts the very expectations of jazz fusion, offering listeners an album that is both groundbreaking and accessible. As they celebrate their 10th anniversary, the band’s latest work stands as a testament to their enduring creativity and their ability to push the boundaries of music.
