Joan Torres's All Is Fused - Embrace Form (Self-Released)

San Francisco’s Joan Torres’s All Is Fused are back with their latest full-length album Embrace Form. It’s one of their most compelling releases yet and it continues to explore their unique and modern take on jazz fusion in a way that is at times equal parts challenging and accessible. The album is a celebration of the band’s tenth anniversary, and it represents both the culmination of their previous history as well as the beginning of a new chapter that finds them pushing boundaries farther and farther. Embrace Form is also something of a concept album as the songs bridge the gap between experimental and popular music genres.

If there’s one thing certain about the songs recorded for this album, it’s that the group allows themselves the space and time to stretch out. That doesn’t mean it’s filled with endless noodling, but rather they’re not in any hurry to rush the proceedings. The opening track “Cotati Reset” is over seven minutes long, and is not altogether different than an orchestra tuning up before a performance. Yet it creates a tension and sense of anticipation that builds perfectly to the Latin-tinged reward of “Unexpectations.” The band flirts with other genres like rock on “Darker Decision” and funk on “Explode,” and the level of ambition here is as impressive as it is enthralling.

Embrace Form certainly does exactly what it says on the tin as it embraces certain pop conventions while staying true to the band’s experimental roots, creating a brilliant hybrid masterpiece.