RAG MusicFusion
Lovely fusion

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.

Playlist

Classic fusion music masterpieces. Recommended staple tracks.
show_chartTitlePlaylistReview
1eastNight Birdsshakatak
Night Birdsshakatak
“Night Birds” is from the 1980s…
2eastSpainChick Corea
SpainChick Coreaplay_arrow
Chic…, an American jazz pianist,
3eastBirdlandWeather Report
BirdlandWeather Reportplay_arrow
“Birdland” features a unique sound and te…
4eastJust the two of usGrover Washington Jr.
Just the two of usGrover Washington Jr.play_arrow
『Just The Two of Us』…
5eastBreezin’George Benson
Breezin'George Bensonplay_arrow
For people who like jazz and soul guitarists, o...
6eastChameleonHerbie Hancock
ChameleonHerbie Hancockplay_arrow
A unique sound that fuses jazz and funk…
7eastSleepwalkLarry Carlton
SleepwalkLarry Carltonplay_arrow
“Sleepwalk” features a bluesy performance…
8eastJohn McLaughlinMiles Davis
John McLaughlinMiles Davisplay_arrow
“John McLaughlin” is Ja...
9eastBrazilian Love AffairGeorge Duke
Brazilian Love AffairGeorge Dukeplay_arrow
George, an American keyboardist…
10eastSMiLEDOMi & JD BECK
SMiLEDOMi & JD BECKplay_arrow
They drew attention with their virtuosic performance videos on social media, and “Ji…
11eastTake Me to the Mardi GrasBob James
Take Me to the Mardi GrasBob Jamesplay_arrow
『Take Me To The Mard…
12eastStill WarmJohn Scofield
Still WarmJohn Scofieldplay_arrow
So distinctive that you can tell who’s performing just by one listen…
13eastThe Noonward RaceMahavishnu Orchestra
The Noonward RaceMahavishnu Orchestraplay_arrow
Mahavishnu Orchestra’s groundbreaking jazz-rock track
14eastSurvival ImperativeJustin Stanton
Survival ImperativeJustin Stantonplay_arrow
American musician Justins...
15north_eastRace With Devil On Spanish HighwayAl Di Meola
Race With Devil On Spanish HighwayAl Di Meolaplay_arrow
I want to recommend this to fans of hard rock and metal...
16south_eastIn A Silent WayMiles Davis
In A Silent WayMiles Davisplay_arrow
Transcending the bounds of jazz, he blazed new horizons in music…
17eastStreet Fighter MasKamasi Washington
Street Fighter MasKamasi Washingtonplay_arrow
An artist bringing a fresh breeze to the contemporary jazz scene…
18eastTrinitySnarky Puppy
TrinitySnarky Puppyplay_arrow
A Texas-inspired instrumental by Snarky Puppy
19eastTHE LOW SPARK OF HIGH HEELED BOYSTraffic
THE LOW SPARK OF HIGH HEELED BOYSTrafficplay_arrow
Introducing classic songs by Traffic
20eastHopoponoGoGo Penguin
HopoponoGoGo Penguinplay_arrow
It was held in Manchester, UK, in 2009...
21eastTRUTHT-SQUARE
TRUTHT-SQUAREplay_arrow
This is Japan’s fusion group T-S…
22eastIs It You?Lee Ritenour
Is It You?Lee Ritenourplay_arrow
Fusion guitarist Lee Ritenour…
23north_eastAsayakeCASIOPEA
AsayakeCASIOPEAplay_arrow
A leading Japanese fusion band led by Issei Noro...
24south_eastIT DOESN’T MATTERSpyro Gyra
IT DOESN'T MATTERSpyro Gyraplay_arrow
The album “Morning D…” released in ’79
25south_eastDoes Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?CHICAGO
Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?CHICAGOplay_arrow
『Does Anybody Really…
26north_eastRodeo DriveThe Crusaders
Rodeo DriveThe Crusadersplay_arrow
Their greatest hit album, 'Stri...'
27south_east101 EastboundFourplay
101 EastboundFourplayplay_arrow
A superband featuring stars of the fusion world
28eastJust The Two Of UsGrover Washington Jr.
Just The Two Of UsGrover Washington Jr.play_arrow
A bass drum and percussion pushed prominently to the front…
29eastRoom 335 (Long Version)Larry Carlton
Room 335 (Long Version)Larry Carltonplay_arrow
When it comes to fusion music, Larry Ca...
30north_eastOutubroAzymuth
OutubroAzymuthplay_arrow
Synth sound of a Brazilian trio
31south_eastRio sambaLarry Carlton
Rio sambaLarry Carltonplay_arrow
American pop vibes over razor-sharp guitar sounds…
32eastStreet BeatTom Scott
Street BeatTom Scottplay_arrow
The album released in ’79, “Street Be…”
33north_eastFriendsBrad Mehldau Trio
FriendsBrad Mehldau Trioplay_arrow
A jazzy, warm-sounding wood bass and ja...
34south_eastAll Behind Us NowPatti Austin
All Behind Us NowPatti Austinplay_arrow
From a beautifully translucent piano sound...
35eastDonna LeeJaco Pastorius
Donna LeeJaco Pastoriusplay_arrow
The 1976 album “Jaco Past…”
36eastTourist In ParadiseThe Rippingtons
Tourist In ParadiseThe Rippingtonsplay_arrow
A six-member group formed in the U.S. in ’86. LA…
37eastGalileo (For Jaco)The Yellowjackets
Galileo (For Jaco)The Yellowjacketsplay_arrow
The album “Politics,” released in ’88…
38eastFeel The NightLee Ritenour
Feel The NightLee Ritenourplay_arrow
“Feel The Night” is hugely popular…
39eastSearchingRoy Ayers
SearchingRoy Ayersplay_arrow
Because the timbre is soulful yet light, it ends up…
40north_eastSpiralThe Crusaders
SpiralThe Crusadersplay_arrow
From Texas, fusion of jazz and rock
41north_eastUnicornWatanabe Kazumi
UnicornWatanabe Kazumiplay_arrow
With Mike Mainieri as producer...
42south_eastFreedom at MidnightDavid Benoit
Freedom at MidnightDavid Benoitplay_arrow
David, an American pianist, ...
43north_eastOpen BeautyDon Ellis
Open BeautyDon Ellisplay_arrow
Don Ellis from 1956 to 19...
44north_eastDjango – Rudy Van Gelder Edition / Remastered 1999Grant Green
Django - Rudy Van Gelder Edition / Remastered 1999Grant Greenplay_arrow
Grant Gr… who was active from the 1960s
45south_eastThe Closer I Get to YouHerbie Mann
The Closer I Get to YouHerbie Mannplay_arrow
Her, the leading figure of American jazz flute...
46south_eastTalesMarcus Miller
TalesMarcus Millerplay_arrow
Included on the 1995 album “Tales.”…
47south_eastFootprintsWayne Shorter
FootprintsWayne Shorterplay_arrow
Wayne Shorter, in 1958…
48north_eastMy SweetnessStuff
My SweetnessStuffplay_arrow
“My Sweetness” is an American …
49north_eastTrinkets and ThingsKawasaki Ryo
Trinkets and ThingsKawasaki Ryoplay_arrow
A studio musician in Japan from a young age…
50south_eastJazz CarnivalAzymuth
Jazz CarnivalAzymuthplay_arrow
I’m currently producing an enormous number (of tracks/works) in progress…
51south_eastBusy On The LineMark-Almond
Busy On The LineMark-Almondplay_arrow
Mark-Almond has been active since 1970…
52south_eastBright Size LifePat Metheny
Bright Size LifePat Methenyplay_arrow
The album Bright Si… released in ’76
53north_eastFriendsChick Corea
FriendsChick Coreaplay_arrow
From the 1978 album “Friends,” rel…
54north_eastElegant PeopleJaco Pastorius
Elegant PeopleJaco Pastoriusplay_arrow
The Ja… who once belonged to Weather Report…
55north_eastPlastic BambooSakamoto Ryuichi
Plastic BambooSakamoto Ryuichiplay_arrow
A song from when the professor was still in his twenties, before joining YMO…
56south_eastTrustRoy Hargrove
TrustRoy Hargroveplay_arrow
The mellow tone of the trumpet soothes the heart…
57south_eastSay GoodbyeSato Hiroshi
Say GoodbyeSato Hiroshiplay_arrow
I was even invited by Haruomi Hosono to be one of the early members of YMO...
58north_eastBitter Sweet SambaHerb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass
Bitter Sweet SambaHerb Alpert & The Tijuana Brassplay_arrow
The 1965 album “Whipped C…”
59south_eastLast Train HomePat Metheny Group
Last Train HomePat Metheny Groupplay_arrow
“Last Train Home” is a guita...
60north_eastThe Dominant PlagueAllan Holdsworth
The Dominant PlagueAllan Holdsworthplay_arrow
Pursuing the possibilities of the guitar as an instrument to their utmost limits…
61south_eastSee the LightEddie Russ
See the LightEddie Russplay_arrow
Synthesizer pads and percussion are...
62south_eastThe Woman of IrelandBob James
The Woman of IrelandBob Jamesplay_arrow
It has a slow, heartrending sound in this work—but still...
63eastAruban NightsBobby Lyle
Aruban NightsBobby Lyleplay_arrow
American pianist Bobby Lyle...
64north_eastHow Long Will It Last ?Cornell Dupree
How Long Will It Last ?Cornell Dupreeplay_arrow
With staccato guitar strokes and explosive power...
65north_eastHymn of the Seventh GalaxyReturn To Forever
Hymn of the Seventh GalaxyReturn To Forever
Chick Corea’s Return to Forever track
66south_eastKing CockroachChick Corea
King CockroachChick Coreaplay_arrow
In Return to Forever, it gets intense...
67north_eastRockitHerbie Hancock
RockitHerbie Hancockplay_arrow
The album “Future Sh…” released in ’83
68north_eastSara’s TouchMike Mainieri
Sara's TouchMike Mainieriplay_arrow
Mike Mainieri, in 1952...
69north_eastClassical ThumpVictor Wooten
Classical ThumpVictor Wootenplay_arrow
The 2011 album “A Show …”
70south_eastMaputoBob James
MaputoBob Jamesplay_arrow
Pianist and producer Bo…
71south_eastExpansionsLonnie Liston Smith
ExpansionsLonnie Liston Smithplay_arrow
Lonnie Liston Smith is…
72south_eastMornin’Al Jarreau
Mornin'Al Jarreauplay_arrow
That legendary 'We are the wor…'
73south_eastNehandaAnne Paceo
NehandaAnne Paceoplay_arrow
This passionately sweat-inducing hot beat...
74north_eastUnboundAlex Skolnick Trio
UnboundAlex Skolnick Trioplay_arrow
The thrash metal band Testament's gi...
75south_eastStraight To The HeartDavid Sanborn
Straight To The HeartDavid Sanbornplay_arrow
When it comes to fusion saxophonists, the first one that comes to mind is…
76north_eastSpanish MossBilly Cobham
Spanish MossBilly Cobhamplay_arrow
Billy Cobham, in 1968 or so...
77north_eastSymphony For The DevilBlood, Sweat & Tears
Symphony For The DevilBlood, Sweat & Tearsplay_arrow
Originally, The Rolling Ston…
78north_eastWhistle BumpDeodato
Whistle BumpDeodatoplay_arrow
Having come to prominence in 1970, the fusion sa...
79north_eastSky HighDonald Byrd
Sky HighDonald Byrdplay_arrow
Even among modern jazz musicians, ...
80north_eastFrom Gagarin’s Point of ViewEsbjörn Svensson Trio
From Gagarin's Point of ViewEsbjörn Svensson Trioplay_arrow
A tense piece featuring double bass and piano
81north_eastSamba All Day LongJorge Dalto
Samba All Day LongJorge Daltoplay_arrow
It's hard to categorize it as so-called Brazilian fusion...
82north_eastmount. airy groovepieces of a dream
mount. airy groovepieces of a dreamplay_arrow
A pop fusion track released in ’82
83south_eastBlue MatterJohn Scofield
Blue MatterJohn Scofieldplay_arrow
John Scofield, in 1970...
84south_eastOne WordMahavishnu Orchestra
One WordMahavishnu Orchestraplay_arrow
Songs by the Mahavishnu Orchestra
85north_eastFunky SnakefootAlphonse Mouzon
Funky SnakefootAlphonse Mouzonplay_arrow
Starting with wild percussion, passion…
86north_eastBlacks and BluesBobbi Humphrey
Blacks and BluesBobbi Humphreyplay_arrow
He, who can be considered a leading figure among female fusionists...
87north_eastExclamationChris Potter
ExclamationChris Potterplay_arrow
American saxophonist Chris Potter's...
88south_eastAll Through the NightEarl Klugh
All Through the NightEarl Klughplay_arrow
Right from the intro, the high-pitched sound of a gut guitar...
89north_eastSultan’s BoogieScott Henderson
Sultan's BoogieScott Hendersonplay_arrow
Scott Henderson is an Ameri...
90north_eastHerandnuWeather Report
HerandnuWeather Reportplay_arrow
Influenced club music
91south_eastOne WishHiroshima
One WishHiroshimaplay_arrow
A five-member Japanese band that plays fusion with koto
92south_eastThere’s No One ElseRobben Ford
There's No One ElseRobben Fordplay_arrow
Pop with a bluesy, jazzy flavor...
93south_eastThe PrecipiceTribal Tech
The PrecipiceTribal Techplay_arrow
Tribal Tech was formed in 1984 by gui…
94north_eastSo WhatMiles Davis
So WhatMiles Davisplay_arrow
The album released in ’59, “Kind of B…
95south_eastMirageJean-Luc Ponty
MirageJean-Luc Pontyplay_arrow
The violin innovator born in France, Je...
96south_eastSamurai Hee-HawMarc Johnson
Samurai Hee-HawMarc Johnsonplay_arrow
Speaking of Mark Johnson, in America...
97south_eastSometimes I…Scott Kinsey
Sometimes I...Scott Kinseyplay_arrow
Making full use of synthesizers, electric...
98south_eastBoogie WaltzWeather Report
Boogie WaltzWeather Reportplay_arrow
The album released in April 1973, “...
99north_eastProto-CosmosTony Williams
Proto-CosmosTony Williamsplay_arrow
Pushing the possibilities of jazz drumming and fu…
100north_eastNevermoreU.K.
NevermoreU.K.play_arrow
Progressive rock and jazz that Britain is proud of...
101south_eastHippocampus (with Illyar Amar, Chris Jennings & John Hadfield)Nguyên Lê
Hippocampus (with Illyar Amar, Chris Jennings & John Hadfield)Nguyên Lêplay_arrow
The French jazz musician, Nguyen...
102south_eastMatinee IdolYellowjackets
Matinee IdolYellowjacketsplay_arrow
This is an American jazz fusion groo...
103south_eastSt. Alfonzo’s Pancake Breakfast / Father O’BlivionFRANK ZAPPA
St. Alfonzo’s Pancake Breakfast / Father O’BlivionFRANK ZAPPAplay_arrow
Frank Zappa has been, since 1955...
104eastWorld Gone StrangeAndy Summers
World Gone StrangeAndy Summersplay_arrow
Andy Summers has been since 1959…
105eastFine Corinthian LeatherCharlie Hunter
Fine Corinthian LeatherCharlie Hunterplay_arrow
Guitarist Charlie Hunter’s…
106eastTRASHFORMER (feat. Mike McCready)Donna Grantis
TRASHFORMER (feat. Mike McCready)Donna Grantisplay_arrow
World-renowned guitarist from Canada, Dona Gra...
107eastMy, My, MyGerald Albright
My, My, MyGerald Albrightplay_arrow
G, a master saxophonist representing the West Coast of the United States...
108eastI Never Glid Before – 2015 RemasterGong
I Never Glid Before - 2015 RemasterGongplay_arrow
From an intro where the drums are way too busy into the riff…
109eastCan You Follow?Larry Coryell
Can You Follow?Larry Coryellplay_arrow
Originally a musician from Scotland...
110eastGigantactisMark Lettieri
GigantactisMark Lettieriplay_arrow
Guitarist Mark Lettieri's guita...
111north_eastSandboxLeni Stern
SandboxLeni Sternplay_arrow
A guitarist and singer-songwriter from Germany...
112north_eastIncident At NeshaburSantana
Incident At NeshaburSantanaplay_arrow
Mexican-born guitarist Carlos San...
113south_eastInfinite LoveToninho Horta
Infinite LoveToninho Hortaplay_arrow
From Pat Metheny, that distinctive harmony…
114south_eastIt’s YouJoyce Cooling
It's YouJoyce Coolingplay_arrow
Accomplished female guitarist Joyce Cooling…
115south_eastWindow Shoppin’HIRAM BULLOCK
Window Shoppin'HIRAM BULLOCKplay_arrow
A funky guitar with a clean sound...
116south_eastThree A.m.Cosmosquad
Three A.m.Cosmosquadplay_arrow
Cosmosquad's ultra-technical track
117south_eastLucky Man – 2012 Remastered VersionEmerson Lake&Palmer
Lucky Man - 2012 Remastered VersionEmerson Lake&Palmerplay_arrow
A progressive ro... who was active from the 1970s
118south_eastTropicalJeff Lorbe
TropicalJeff Lorbeplay_arrow
The album released in ’84, “In the He…”
119south_eastIsland-HopKazumi Watanabe
Island-HopKazumi Watanabeplay_arrow
Kazumi Watanabe, a master guitarist Japan is proud of, “I...
120south_eastThe Romantic WarriorReturn To Forever
The Romantic WarriorReturn To Foreverplay_arrow
A masterpiece of fusion jazz by a New York quintet
121south_eastXaviSnarky Puppy
XaviSnarky Puppyplay_arrow
The passionate songs of Snarky Puppy
122south_eastSister MoonSting
Sister MoonStingplay_arrow
St..., a British singer-songwriter
123south_eastObsessionMALTA
ObsessionMALTA
MAL, the saxophonist who was hugely active in the 80s...
124south_eastManhattan UpdateWARREN BERNHARDT
Manhattan UpdateWARREN BERNHARDTplay_arrow
It’s rated pretty highly among fusion maniacs...
125south_eastDon’t worry about a thing.Weldon Irvine
Don't worry about a thing.Weldon Irvineplay_arrow
Famous musicians all over the world are covering it like crazy...
126eastDesert GirlPlanet X
Desert GirlPlanet Xplay_arrow
Planet X is a keyboard player…
127eastSHADOW DANCEDave Holland
SHADOW DANCEDave Hollandplay_arrow
Dave Holland was, in 1964 or...
128eastLooking GlassAllan Holdsworth
Looking GlassAllan Holdsworthplay_arrow
Allah Holdsworth is, in 19...
129eastEuropanemaBURNIER & CARTIER
EuropanemaBURNIER & CARTIERplay_arrow
Brazilian samba guitarist, Luiz Bon…
130eastGalaxyEddie Henderson
GalaxyEddie Hendersonplay_arrow
Eddie Henderson was, in 197...
131eastWild Things Run FastJoni Mitchell
Wild Things Run FastJoni Mitchellplay_arrow
J, a Canadian singer-songwriter…
132eastForget Me NotsPATRICE RUSHEN
Forget Me NotsPATRICE RUSHENplay_arrow
This is Patrice Rushen’s “…
133eastEnd of the RoadPaul Jackson, Jr.
End of the RoadPaul Jackson, Jr.play_arrow
Guitarist Paul J from Los Angeles...
134eastOne Day I’ll Fly AwayRandy Crawford
One Day I'll Fly AwayRandy Crawfordplay_arrow
This is R…, an American R&B singer.
135eastVashkarThe Tony Williams Lifetime
VashkarThe Tony Williams Lifetimeplay_arrow
Tony Williams-led jazz fusion band
136eastA Love SupremeCarlos Santana & John McLaughlin
A Love SupremeCarlos Santana & John McLaughlinplay_arrow
Originally by John Coltrane...
137eastSlightly All the TimeSoft Machine
Slightly All the TimeSoft Machineplay_arrow
Soft Machine was, in 1966, ...
138eastTwo Price HitVictor Bailey, Dennis Chambers, Mitch Forman, Chuck Loeb and Bill Evans
Two Price HitVictor Bailey, Dennis Chambers, Mitch Forman, Chuck Loeb and Bill Evansplay_arrow
With the bassist Victor Bailey...
139eastMiragemDjavan
MiragemDjavanplay_arrow
So remarkable that he is even compared to Stevie Wonder...
140eastTalk to Your DaughterRobben Ford
Talk to Your DaughterRobben Fordplay_arrow
This is Robben Ford's 'Tal…'
141eastPitter-PatterRymden
Pitter-PatterRymdenplay_arrow
A jazz group from Norway in Northern Europe, Rymden...
142eastTaljiWayne Shorter
TaljiWayne Shorterplay_arrow
A ... that pioneered a new frontier for Wayne Shorter
143eastYou Bet Your LoveHerbie Hancock
You Bet Your LoveHerbie Hancockplay_arrow
On Head Hunters, they put out long tracks...
144eastAga di BebeAQUARIUS & LOUIS ANTONIO
Aga di BebeAQUARIUS & LOUIS ANTONIOplay_arrow
Astrud Gilberto’s slightly lisping bo…
145eastThe MomentKenny G
The MomentKenny Gplay_arrow
The 1996-released album “The Momen…”
146eastSick Talk (feat. Becca Stevens)Kneebody
Sick Talk (feat. Becca Stevens)Kneebodyplay_arrow
The American fusion band, Nobody…
147eastNoonward RaceMahavishnu Orchestra
Noonward RaceMahavishnu Orchestraplay_arrow
Mahavishnu Orchestra…
148eastFreedom Jazz DanceMiroslav Vitous
Freedom Jazz DanceMiroslav Vitousplay_arrow
Miroslav Vitous, in 196…