Before
Composition - 4.0 || Composition - 4.0 || Musicianship - 4.0
Web: www.joantorresmusic.com
Location: San Juan, Puerto Rico
Genre: Jazz+
Key Tracks: ALL

Joan Torres's All Is Fused is one of the top jazz bands I have had the privilege of listening to this year. Joan Torres, an accomplished bass player, enlists some of Puerto Rico's top young jazz musicians and release, Before; an 8 song masterpiece that will connect with the hearts of every jazz music lover who has the opportunity to hear it.

Drawing on his experience studying with top Puerto Rican jazz musicians, and his roots in Salsa, Rock, Reggae, Latin Jazz, Funk, Fusion, Jazz, Classical Choir music and Brazilian Capoeira music, Joan Torres' album has an expansiveness that comes through on each composition, which are layered with intimacy and excitement, as demonstrated on songs like "The Chase" and "Disbelief". Joan's history as a musician is on full display, showcasing his incredible range as a composer who infuses funky Latin-influenced bass rhythms that contrast nicely with the on time percussive play of Fernando Garcia (drums), the amazing guitar play of Sergio González and Gabriel Vicéns, the bopping alto sax played by Jonathan Suazo, and the lilting piano of David Ojeda.

The track listing on Before is as follows: Doorway, Another World, Viccisitudes, Disbelief, True, The Chase, Tragic End, and Enlightenment. Each track breathes a unique tone into the overall compilation of songs, contributing the earlier mentioned expansiveness of this project. Not taking anything for granted here, I'd say that Joan Torres's All Is Fused is well on their way to becoming a legendary jazz ensemble and "Before" will be one of their most respected releases.

Source: I Am Entertainment Magazine