Progressive Latin Jazz giants Joan Torres's All Is Fused are promoting their latest album entitled "Revolution". In the last 7 years, All Is Fused has released 3 albums prior to Revolution, "Before" 2012, "The Beginning" 2014, and "Of the Musical" in 2016. In other words "Before the Beginning of the Musical Revolution" is a story in itself released in seemingly 4 chapters, also the similar theme of album artwork for all the releases ties it together.
"Revolution" was written by Joan Torres himself and is performed along side a masterful collective of members that make up All Is Fused. Torres set to explore new territory within the writing of this release, branching from playing his normal Fender Jazz Bass that he's used on previous material and incorporating bass guitars with different feel and style forcing him outside of his comfort zone. You'll find this chapter of songs are a well crafted mix of jazz, fusion, funk and prog rock which is sure to grab the attention of fans of King Crimson, The Victor Wooten Trio and more.
"When I set out to start All Is Fused I thought of a possible trajectory for our sound. I knew enough about my favorite artists to know that it was unlikely our sound would be fully developed by our first album. I started planning our phase 1 - the road it would take us to get closer to that sound. I believe Revolution to be the culmination of said phase 1."The album has received acclaim from outlets such as All About Jazz, who rated the album 4 stars, saying "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 among other styles. The result is Revolution."
All Is Fused biography
In Summer 2011, long-time friend, guitarist Gabriel Vicens and Torres himself started their own project, a Modern Jazz Quintet playing original music. This project eventually became two separate projects; one of them being the Gabriel Vicens Quintet, in which Joan Torres took part for its earliest incarnation.
Torres decided to revisit some of the compositions he had made over the years along with exploring new ideas which had come along. He began nourishing those ideas until he managed to get a repertoire of original music together. Once that part was done he recruited a new group of people to perform these Modern Jazz Fusion tunes. It can be said that these tunes synthesize a number of his musical experiences and influences over the years. Torres drew so many different experiences in his composition which is why he decided to name his group as All Is Fused. The group performed for the first time at the legendary nightspot, Nuyorican Cafe in Old San Juan, on December 21st, 2011. Then everybody came together to record their debut album on January 10 and 11, 2012 at Playbach Studio. The album features Sergio Gonzalez, David Ojeda, Fernando Garcia, Jonathan Suazo, and Gabriel Vicens. It was released May 21, 2012.
Before was received well by the critics which earned new opportunities for both Torres and the group. During the first half of 2013, Torres performed with many well-known local artists such as singer-songwriters Fana and Rique Colon. He along with drummer Fernando Garcia offered drum and bass clinics at Stevan Micheo Music. In February, the group was invited to a Jazz forum for the community of the Puerto Rico Music Conservatory. In March 2013, Joan Torres's All Is Fused and their critically-acclaimed debut album received nominations in two categories for the 12th Annual Independent Music Awards. During November 2013, they went on tour through New Orleans, Louisiana. Once they returned home they started working on their second album.
The Beginning
Torres began working on a new concept for the second All Is Fused album. The music is very different from the first one, having a darker mood and more intense tone. However, as the music was written by the same person it can be said that it is a new chapter on the same musical adventure. The Beginning was recorded on February 24 and 25, 2014 at Playbach Studio, featuring most of the same musicians: Sergio Gonzalez and Gabriel Vicens on Guitars, Fernando Garcia on Drums, Jonathan Suazo on Alto Sax, with new additions of Emanuel Rivera on Piano and Gerson Orjuela on Drums.
On April 27, 2014 the group was invited to perform at Heineken's Ventana al JazzFest in Condado, Puerto Rico. Additionally, the ensemble launched an indiegogo campaign to help fund the completion of this album which was successfully funded on May 2, 2014. The Beginning was released August 21, 2014.
During 2015 The Beginning received numerous positive reviews and was featured in publications such as The Huffington Post. Additionally, the album received a nomination in the 14th Annual Independent Music Awards (the group's third IMA nomination). On February 24, 2016, The Independent Music Awards named The Beginning the people's choice in the category of Fusion Album.
Of the Musical
After moving to San Francisco, California and sharing the stage with local veterans such as Sandor Moss, Eduardo Corzo, Julius Melendez, and Calvin Keys, Torres started planning for the third All Is Fused album. During the month of June 2016, All Is Fused spent their time preparing for the recording of this album. They debuted the music of this new album on June 24 at The Center in San Francisco, California. They recorded this new album at the historic and influential Different Fur Studios in San Francisco between June 27 and 29. Grammy winner Dave Darlington mixed and mastered the album. Of the Musical was released November 21, 2016 to critical-acclaim.
Of the Musical received a lot of praise from critics who loved the group's ability to go beyond just musical complexity and technical dexterity in order to weave in emotive moods and true sonic narrative. The album received two nominations at the 16th Annual Independent Music Awards and Torres himself earned a third nomination in the category of Best Music Producer for Jazz.
Joan Torres Music Presents & the Fourth All Is Fused album
Around the Summer of 2018 Torres announced an event called Joan Torres Music Presents. This event took place on August 23, 2018 at the SFJAZZ Center. It featured All Is Fused as the headliner of the night, Barely Jazz Ensemble as the second set, and none other than the great Michael Manring, a revolutionary musician whose work on the bass has influenced many (including Torres), opened the night with a solo bass set. Manring and Torres shared the stage that night for a tune. Trumpet player Julius Melendez was also a special guest that night performing with the Barely Jazz Ensemble.
As part of the All Is Fused set, the group premiered music that will soon be featured on their upcoming fourth album. The group returned to Different Fur Studios for the recording sessions of this album which took place between August 24 and 26. The album in currently in post-production and will be released in Early 2019!
Watch a live performance of "Ambivalence" below.