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_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1east | Night Birdsshakatak | ![]() | “Night Birds” is from the 1980s… |
| 2east | SpainChick Corea | play_arrow | Chic…, an American jazz pianist, |
| 3east | BirdlandWeather Report | play_arrow | “Birdland” features a unique sound and te… |
| 4east | Just the two of usGrover Washington Jr. | play_arrow | 『Just The Two of Us』… |
| 5east | Breezin’George Benson | play_arrow | For people who like jazz and soul guitarists, o... |
| 6east | ChameleonHerbie Hancock | play_arrow | A unique sound that fuses jazz and funk… |
| 7east | SleepwalkLarry Carlton | play_arrow | “Sleepwalk” features a bluesy performance… |
| 8east | John McLaughlinMiles Davis | play_arrow | “John McLaughlin” is Ja... |
| 9east | Brazilian Love AffairGeorge Duke | play_arrow | George, an American keyboardist… |
| 10east | SMiLEDOMi & JD BECK | play_arrow | They drew attention with their virtuosic performance videos on social media, and “Ji… |
| 11east | Take Me to the Mardi GrasBob James | play_arrow | 『Take Me To The Mard… |
| 12east | Still WarmJohn Scofield | play_arrow | So distinctive that you can tell who’s performing just by one listen… |
| 13east | The Noonward RaceMahavishnu Orchestra | play_arrow | Mahavishnu Orchestra’s groundbreaking jazz-rock track |
| 14east | Survival ImperativeJustin Stanton | play_arrow | American musician Justins... |
| 15north_east | Race With Devil On Spanish HighwayAl Di Meola | play_arrow | I want to recommend this to fans of hard rock and metal... |
| 16south_east | In A Silent WayMiles Davis | play_arrow | Transcending the bounds of jazz, he blazed new horizons in music… |
| 17east | Street Fighter MasKamasi Washington | play_arrow | An artist bringing a fresh breeze to the contemporary jazz scene… |
| 18east | TrinitySnarky Puppy | play_arrow | A Texas-inspired instrumental by Snarky Puppy |
| 19east | THE LOW SPARK OF HIGH HEELED BOYSTraffic | play_arrow | Introducing classic songs by Traffic |
| 20east | HopoponoGoGo Penguin | play_arrow | It was held in Manchester, UK, in 2009... |
| 21east | TRUTHT-SQUARE | play_arrow | This is Japan’s fusion group T-S… |
| 22east | Is It You?Lee Ritenour | play_arrow | Fusion guitarist Lee Ritenour… |
| 23north_east | AsayakeCASIOPEA | play_arrow | A leading Japanese fusion band led by Issei Noro... |
| 24south_east | IT DOESN’T MATTERSpyro Gyra | play_arrow | The album “Morning D…” released in ’79 |
| 25south_east | Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?CHICAGO | play_arrow | 『Does Anybody Really… |
| 26north_east | Rodeo DriveThe Crusaders | play_arrow | Their greatest hit album, 'Stri...' |
| 27south_east | 101 EastboundFourplay | play_arrow | A superband featuring stars of the fusion world |
| 28east | Just The Two Of UsGrover Washington Jr. | play_arrow | A bass drum and percussion pushed prominently to the front… |
| 29east | Room 335 (Long Version)Larry Carlton | play_arrow | When it comes to fusion music, Larry Ca... |
| 30north_east | OutubroAzymuth | play_arrow | Synth sound of a Brazilian trio |
| 31south_east | Rio sambaLarry Carlton | play_arrow | American pop vibes over razor-sharp guitar sounds… |
| 32east | Street BeatTom Scott | play_arrow | The album released in ’79, “Street Be…” |
| 33north_east | FriendsBrad Mehldau Trio | play_arrow | A jazzy, warm-sounding wood bass and ja... |
| 34south_east | All Behind Us NowPatti Austin | play_arrow | From a beautifully translucent piano sound... |
| 35east | Donna LeeJaco Pastorius | play_arrow | The 1976 album “Jaco Past…” |
| 36east | Tourist In ParadiseThe Rippingtons | play_arrow | A six-member group formed in the U.S. in ’86. LA… |
| 37east | Galileo (For Jaco)The Yellowjackets | play_arrow | The album “Politics,” released in ’88… |
| 38east | Feel The NightLee Ritenour | play_arrow | “Feel The Night” is hugely popular… |
| 39east | SearchingRoy Ayers | play_arrow | Because the timbre is soulful yet light, it ends up… |
| 40north_east | SpiralThe Crusaders | play_arrow | From Texas, fusion of jazz and rock |
| 41north_east | UnicornWatanabe Kazumi | play_arrow | With Mike Mainieri as producer... |
| 42south_east | Freedom at MidnightDavid Benoit | play_arrow | David, an American pianist, ... |
| 43north_east | Open BeautyDon Ellis | play_arrow | Don Ellis from 1956 to 19... |
| 44north_east | Django – Rudy Van Gelder Edition / Remastered 1999Grant Green | play_arrow | Grant Gr… who was active from the 1960s |
| 45south_east | The Closer I Get to YouHerbie Mann | play_arrow | Her, the leading figure of American jazz flute... |
| 46south_east | TalesMarcus Miller | play_arrow | Included on the 1995 album “Tales.”… |
| 47south_east | FootprintsWayne Shorter | play_arrow | Wayne Shorter, in 1958… |
| 48north_east | My SweetnessStuff | play_arrow | “My Sweetness” is an American … |
| 49north_east | Trinkets and ThingsKawasaki Ryo | play_arrow | A studio musician in Japan from a young age… |
| 50south_east | Jazz CarnivalAzymuth | play_arrow | I’m currently producing an enormous number (of tracks/works) in progress… |
| 51south_east | Busy On The LineMark-Almond | play_arrow | Mark-Almond has been active since 1970… |
| 52south_east | Bright Size LifePat Metheny | play_arrow | The album Bright Si… released in ’76 |
| 53north_east | FriendsChick Corea | play_arrow | From the 1978 album “Friends,” rel… |
| 54north_east | Elegant PeopleJaco Pastorius | play_arrow | The Ja… who once belonged to Weather Report… |
| 55north_east | Plastic BambooSakamoto Ryuichi | play_arrow | A song from when the professor was still in his twenties, before joining YMO… |
| 56south_east | TrustRoy Hargrove | play_arrow | The mellow tone of the trumpet soothes the heart… |
| 57south_east | Say GoodbyeSato Hiroshi | play_arrow | I was even invited by Haruomi Hosono to be one of the early members of YMO... |
| 58north_east | Bitter Sweet SambaHerb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass | play_arrow | The 1965 album “Whipped C…” |
| 59south_east | Last Train HomePat Metheny Group | play_arrow | “Last Train Home” is a guita... |
| 60north_east | The Dominant PlagueAllan Holdsworth | play_arrow | Pursuing the possibilities of the guitar as an instrument to their utmost limits… |
| 61south_east | See the LightEddie Russ | play_arrow | Synthesizer pads and percussion are... |
| 62south_east | The Woman of IrelandBob James | play_arrow | It has a slow, heartrending sound in this work—but still... |
| 63east | Aruban NightsBobby Lyle | play_arrow | American pianist Bobby Lyle... |
| 64north_east | How Long Will It Last ?Cornell Dupree | play_arrow | With staccato guitar strokes and explosive power... |
| 65north_east | Hymn of the Seventh GalaxyReturn To Forever | ![]() | Chick Corea’s Return to Forever track |
| 66south_east | King CockroachChick Corea | play_arrow | In Return to Forever, it gets intense... |
| 67north_east | RockitHerbie Hancock | play_arrow | The album “Future Sh…” released in ’83 |
| 68north_east | Sara’s TouchMike Mainieri | play_arrow | Mike Mainieri, in 1952... |
| 69north_east | Classical ThumpVictor Wooten | play_arrow | The 2011 album “A Show …” |
| 70south_east | MaputoBob James | play_arrow | Pianist and producer Bo… |
| 71south_east | ExpansionsLonnie Liston Smith | play_arrow | Lonnie Liston Smith is… |
| 72south_east | Mornin’Al Jarreau | play_arrow | That legendary 'We are the wor…' |
| 73south_east | NehandaAnne Paceo | play_arrow | This passionately sweat-inducing hot beat... |
| 74north_east | UnboundAlex Skolnick Trio | play_arrow | The thrash metal band Testament's gi... |
| 75south_east | Straight To The HeartDavid Sanborn | play_arrow | When it comes to fusion saxophonists, the first one that comes to mind is… |
| 76north_east | Spanish MossBilly Cobham | play_arrow | Billy Cobham, in 1968 or so... |
| 77north_east | Symphony For The DevilBlood, Sweat & Tears | play_arrow | Originally, The Rolling Ston… |
| 78north_east | Whistle BumpDeodato | play_arrow | Having come to prominence in 1970, the fusion sa... |
| 79north_east | Sky HighDonald Byrd | play_arrow | Even among modern jazz musicians, ... |
| 80north_east | From Gagarin’s Point of ViewEsbjörn Svensson Trio | play_arrow | A tense piece featuring double bass and piano |
| 81north_east | Samba All Day LongJorge Dalto | play_arrow | It's hard to categorize it as so-called Brazilian fusion... |
| 82north_east | mount. airy groovepieces of a dream | play_arrow | A pop fusion track released in ’82 |
| 83south_east | Blue MatterJohn Scofield | play_arrow | John Scofield, in 1970... |
| 84south_east | One WordMahavishnu Orchestra | play_arrow | Songs by the Mahavishnu Orchestra |
| 85north_east | Funky SnakefootAlphonse Mouzon | play_arrow | Starting with wild percussion, passion… |
| 86north_east | Blacks and BluesBobbi Humphrey | play_arrow | He, who can be considered a leading figure among female fusionists... |
| 87north_east | ExclamationChris Potter | play_arrow | American saxophonist Chris Potter's... |
| 88south_east | All Through the NightEarl Klugh | play_arrow | Right from the intro, the high-pitched sound of a gut guitar... |
| 89north_east | Sultan’s BoogieScott Henderson | play_arrow | Scott Henderson is an Ameri... |
| 90north_east | HerandnuWeather Report | play_arrow | Influenced club music |
| 91south_east | One WishHiroshima | play_arrow | A five-member Japanese band that plays fusion with koto |
| 92south_east | There’s No One ElseRobben Ford | play_arrow | Pop with a bluesy, jazzy flavor... |
| 93south_east | The PrecipiceTribal Tech | play_arrow | Tribal Tech was formed in 1984 by gui… |
| 94north_east | So WhatMiles Davis | play_arrow | The album released in ’59, “Kind of B… |
| 95south_east | MirageJean-Luc Ponty | play_arrow | The violin innovator born in France, Je... |
| 96south_east | Samurai Hee-HawMarc Johnson | play_arrow | Speaking of Mark Johnson, in America... |
| 97south_east | Sometimes I…Scott Kinsey | play_arrow | Making full use of synthesizers, electric... |
| 98south_east | Boogie WaltzWeather Report | play_arrow | The album released in April 1973, “... |
| 99north_east | Proto-CosmosTony Williams | play_arrow | Pushing the possibilities of jazz drumming and fu… |
| 100north_east | NevermoreU.K. | play_arrow | Progressive rock and jazz that Britain is proud of... |
| 101south_east | Hippocampus (with Illyar Amar, Chris Jennings & John Hadfield)Nguyên Lê | play_arrow | The French jazz musician, Nguyen... |
| 102south_east | Matinee IdolYellowjackets | play_arrow | This is an American jazz fusion groo... |
| 103south_east | St. Alfonzo’s Pancake Breakfast / Father O’BlivionFRANK ZAPPA | play_arrow | Frank Zappa has been, since 1955... |
| 104east | World Gone StrangeAndy Summers | play_arrow | Andy Summers has been since 1959… |
| 105east | Fine Corinthian LeatherCharlie Hunter | play_arrow | Guitarist Charlie Hunter’s… |
| 106east | TRASHFORMER (feat. Mike McCready)Donna Grantis | play_arrow | World-renowned guitarist from Canada, Dona Gra... |
| 107east | My, My, MyGerald Albright | play_arrow | G, a master saxophonist representing the West Coast of the United States... |
| 108east | I Never Glid Before – 2015 RemasterGong | play_arrow | From an intro where the drums are way too busy into the riff… |
| 109east | Can You Follow?Larry Coryell | play_arrow | Originally a musician from Scotland... |
| 110east | GigantactisMark Lettieri | play_arrow | Guitarist Mark Lettieri's guita... |
| 111north_east | SandboxLeni Stern | play_arrow | A guitarist and singer-songwriter from Germany... |
| 112north_east | Incident At NeshaburSantana | play_arrow | Mexican-born guitarist Carlos San... |
| 113south_east | Infinite LoveToninho Horta | play_arrow | From Pat Metheny, that distinctive harmony… |
| 114south_east | It’s YouJoyce Cooling | play_arrow | Accomplished female guitarist Joyce Cooling… |
| 115south_east | Window Shoppin’HIRAM BULLOCK | play_arrow | A funky guitar with a clean sound... |
| 116south_east | Three A.m.Cosmosquad | play_arrow | Cosmosquad's ultra-technical track |
| 117south_east | Lucky Man – 2012 Remastered VersionEmerson Lake&Palmer | play_arrow | A progressive ro... who was active from the 1970s |
| 118south_east | TropicalJeff Lorbe | play_arrow | The album released in ’84, “In the He…” |
| 119south_east | Island-HopKazumi Watanabe | play_arrow | Kazumi Watanabe, a master guitarist Japan is proud of, “I... |
| 120south_east | The Romantic WarriorReturn To Forever | play_arrow | A masterpiece of fusion jazz by a New York quintet |
| 121south_east | XaviSnarky Puppy | play_arrow | The passionate songs of Snarky Puppy |
| 122south_east | Sister MoonSting | play_arrow | St..., a British singer-songwriter |
| 123south_east | ObsessionMALTA | ![]() | MAL, the saxophonist who was hugely active in the 80s... |
| 124south_east | Manhattan UpdateWARREN BERNHARDT | play_arrow | It’s rated pretty highly among fusion maniacs... |
| 125south_east | Don’t worry about a thing.Weldon Irvine | play_arrow | Famous musicians all over the world are covering it like crazy... |
| 126east | Desert GirlPlanet X | play_arrow | Planet X is a keyboard player… |
| 127east | SHADOW DANCEDave Holland | play_arrow | Dave Holland was, in 1964 or... |
| 128east | Looking GlassAllan Holdsworth | play_arrow | Allah Holdsworth is, in 19... |
| 129east | EuropanemaBURNIER & CARTIER | play_arrow | Brazilian samba guitarist, Luiz Bon… |
| 130east | GalaxyEddie Henderson | play_arrow | Eddie Henderson was, in 197... |
| 131east | Wild Things Run FastJoni Mitchell | play_arrow | J, a Canadian singer-songwriter… |
| 132east | Forget Me NotsPATRICE RUSHEN | play_arrow | This is Patrice Rushen’s “… |
| 133east | End of the RoadPaul Jackson, Jr. | play_arrow | Guitarist Paul J from Los Angeles... |
| 134east | One Day I’ll Fly AwayRandy Crawford | play_arrow | This is R…, an American R&B singer. |
| 135east | VashkarThe Tony Williams Lifetime | play_arrow | Tony Williams-led jazz fusion band |
| 136east | A Love SupremeCarlos Santana & John McLaughlin | play_arrow | Originally by John Coltrane... |
| 137east | Slightly All the TimeSoft Machine | play_arrow | Soft Machine was, in 1966, ... |
| 138east | Two Price HitVictor Bailey, Dennis Chambers, Mitch Forman, Chuck Loeb and Bill Evans | play_arrow | With the bassist Victor Bailey... |
| 139east | MiragemDjavan | play_arrow | So remarkable that he is even compared to Stevie Wonder... |
| 140east | Talk to Your DaughterRobben Ford | play_arrow | This is Robben Ford's 'Tal…' |
| 141east | Pitter-PatterRymden | play_arrow | A jazz group from Norway in Northern Europe, Rymden... |
| 142east | TaljiWayne Shorter | play_arrow | A ... that pioneered a new frontier for Wayne Shorter |
| 143east | You Bet Your LoveHerbie Hancock | play_arrow | On Head Hunters, they put out long tracks... |
| 144east | Aga di BebeAQUARIUS & LOUIS ANTONIO | play_arrow | Astrud Gilberto’s slightly lisping bo… |
| 145east | The MomentKenny G | play_arrow | The 1996-released album “The Momen…” |
| 146east | Sick Talk (feat. Becca Stevens)Kneebody | play_arrow | The American fusion band, Nobody… |
| 147east | Noonward RaceMahavishnu Orchestra | play_arrow | Mahavishnu Orchestra… |
| 148east | Freedom Jazz DanceMiroslav Vitous | play_arrow | Miroslav Vitous, in 196… |



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