[2026] Masterpieces of instrumental music. Recommended instrumental tracks.

Led BootsJeff Beck

Jeff Beck – Led Boots (Jeff Beck: Performing This Week…Live at Ronnie Scott’s)

This is the opening track of WIRED, the masterpiece album released by Jeff Beck, who is likely the most famous musician both as an instrumental rock artist and as an electric guitar instrumentalist.

Its creation involved the collaboration of members of the Mahavishnu Orchestra.

SleepwalkSanto & Johnny

Santo & Johnny “Sleep Walk”

Santo & Johnny are a brother duo from New York.

The song hit number one in the U.S.

in 1959, earned a Gold Disc, and has been covered by many famous musicians and guitarists, including Jeff Beck, The Shadows, and Chet Atkins.

It’s a guitar instrumental that makes full use of the steel guitar, and—as the title suggests—beautifully captures a floating sensation, as if drifting between dreams and reality.

It’s a piece that any guitarist who plays slide guitar will inevitably attempt.

ChampagnePolyphia

Polyphia | Champagne feat. Nick Johnston (Official Music Video)

Speaking of Polyphia, they’re well-known in certain circles as a band where every member is handsome—but it’s not just their looks; their music is handsome too.

From the very beginning they use catchy, accessible phrases while effortlessly pulling off high-level techniques.

FootsStuff

Stuff – Foots

A masterful performance by the fusion band Stuff, led by Steve Gadd, arguably the number-one drummer of our time.

From the relaxed intro, you can already feel the soul of fusion, and the piece unfolds with the distinctive melodic sensibility that defines them.

Work SongThe Butterfield Blues Band

The Paul Butterfield Blues Band Work Song live

The Butterfield Blues Band was formed by harmonica player Paul Butterfield.

While they covered many classic blues and R&B songs, they also performed “Work Song,” which is known as a jazz standard.

TAKUMI / ArtisanMatsutani Taku

Takumi Matsuya / Artisan

Takumi Matsutani, who made his professional debut at 19, has provided music across a wide range of fields, including commercials, TV programs, and stage productions.

In recent years, he also composed the score for the film adaptation of the popular novel Let Me Eat Your Pancreas, a contribution still fresh in many people’s minds.

Although Matsutani was not widely known at the time of his debut, his name as a composer became recognized nationwide when his music was used in the popular documentary show Extreme Makeover: Dramatic Before & After, which began airing in April 2002.

The piece introduced here, TAKUMI/Shokunin, written specifically as an insert song for the program, is a gem whose endlessly beautiful sound—centered on delicate piano tones—soothes the listener’s heart.

It could be called an ideal example of healing music, though those who have watched the show might find that the famous line, “Nanto iu koto deshou” (“What a dramatic change!”), pops unbidden into their heads…

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KOH-1

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SanctifyLop Abuse On Somebody

Lop abuse on somebody – Sanctify

Shifting from a beautiful ensemble, a fierce guitar sound bursts in.

This is a track by the post-rock band Lop abuse on somebody, formed in 2012.

Their hallmark is an energetic style.

Rather than a chic instrumental band, they focus on emotional rock.

Even without vocals, their music stirs your feelings—a seriously cool band.

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Araki Jakkan

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