Classic fusion music masterpieces. Recommended staple tracks.
“Fusion” is a music genre that grew out of jazz, and true to its name, it blends a wide range of elements into a genuinely crossover sound that has produced countless classic albums and songs.
If you’re curious about fusion and want to sample a few tracks, this article introduces essential tunes—from soft, stylish numbers to complex, groundbreaking pieces.
Focusing mainly on overseas artists, we’ll cover beloved hits from years past, canonical staples, and standout tracks by artists who blend the hallmarks of jazz fusion with contemporary flair.
Whether you’re feeling nostalgic for the old days or searching for modern fusion, read on.
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Fusion music masterpieces. Recommended classic tracks (111–120)
The Romantic WarriorReturn To Forever
Included on the 1976 album “Romantic Warrior.” A five-piece band from New York that began activity around 1972.
Chick Corea and Stanley Clarke were members.
Each player’s performance, carried along by a breezy, wind-like piano, makes this 10-minute track feel short.
Fusion music masterpieces. Recommended classic tracks (121–130)
XaviSnarky Puppy
Snarky Puppy is a funk group known for its rotating lineup of over 30 members and for winning numerous awards, including Grammys.
They are one of the most famous bands in fusion.
Their track “Xavi” features a passionate rhythm and introduces many melody-carrying instruments.
Even at just under ten minutes, it’s a stunning number that never loses your attention.
Sister MoonSting
A track by the British singer-songwriter Sting.
It is included on the 1987 album …Nothing Like the Sun.
The album reached the Top 10 on charts around the world and won a Brit Award.
ObsessionMALTA
An energetic, fast-paced, and emotional number by MALTA, a saxophonist who was hugely active in the 1980s.
It’s a classic that was also used in commercials, and you could say this was the peak of his career—he confidently delivers passages where there’s no room for fudging.
A nostalgic sound.
Manhattan UpdateWARREN BERNHARDT
This is a signature work by Warren Bernhardt, highly acclaimed among fusion enthusiasts.
The album version is wonderful, but the performance with the band of the renowned drummer Steve Gadd is also razor-sharp.
You can especially feel the brilliance in the mid-section piano solo.
Don’t worry about a thing.Weldon Irvine
It’s one of Stevie Wonder’s signature songs, covered endlessly by famous musicians around the world, but in Weldon’s much-reevaluated hands it gets a bold arrangement that opens straight into a synth solo.
Even so, when you listen to it all the way through, it’s a version that strongly conveys a sense of respect.
Desert GirlPlanet X
Planet X is an instrumental rock supergroup formed in 2000 by keyboardist Derek Sherinian and drummer Virgil Donati.
This track is included on their 2007 album, Quantum.