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In Fusion, the new album from singer/songwriter and guitarist Prema is magisterial in its scope. Many of the tracks are jazz-like in terms of running time - some of them lasting six and seven minutes. That's risky. After all, there's a reason why the average pop song lasts between three and four minutes. Yes, they're formulaic, but the formula exists for a reason: songs struggle to hold the listener's attention when the song goes beyond that limit. Prema ignores that formula, and sometimes that gamble doesn't work. Some tracks, such as the seven-minute plus "Angel" start strong, but neither the lyrics nor the arrangement can carry the tune for the entire ride. However, what is impressive is how often this young artist makes the gamble pay off.
In Fusion, the new album from singer/songwriter and guitarist Prema is magisterial in its scope. Many of the tracks are jazz-like in terms of running time - some of them lasting six and seven minutes. That's risky. After all, there's a reason why the average pop song lasts between three and four minutes. Yes, they're formulaic, but the formula exists for a reason: songs struggle to hold the listener's attention when the song goes beyond that limit. Prema ignores that formula, and sometimes that gamble doesn't work. Some tracks, such as the seven-minute plus "Angel" start strong, but neither the lyrics nor the arrangement can carry the tune for the entire ride. However, what is impressive is how often this young artist makes the gamble pay off.
Three examples of that are "Underwater," "Only Human" and "That Ain't Love." Each checks in at more than six minutes, but each sports rich, descriptive lyrics and wonderful interplay between vocalist and her very talented sidemen. Prema even steps aside and allows her musicians to create on several tracks.
The head nodder "Destiny" is an inspirational track in which Prema sings about taking active control of her life, while the ballad "Somewhere In Between" sports one of those earworm hooks. And Prema shows she can get funky on the radio friendly "So Right." One of things that helps to elevate In Fusion is the musicianship. This is a challenging album musically. Each song includes changes in tempo, and the vocalist recruited musicians who could work together as a unit while also retaining the ability to express themselves creatively.
Prema's band includes the legendary Wah Wah Watson on guitar, Peter Erskine on drums and percussion, Damian Erskine on bass and Bashiri Johnson on percussion. If you judge Prema by her associates, the listener can't help but come away impressed. And the album's high points provide just the kind of fire you'd expect when such talents join together. Recommended.
By Howard Dukes