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

Albert’s ShuffleAl Kooper & Mike Bloomfield

Al Kooper & Mike Bloomfield “Albert’s Shuffle”

Al Kooper, an organ player rooted in club-style rock, and Mike Bloomfield, who had played in white blues bands, performed numerous classic songs as instrumentals and released several albums.

“Albert’s Shuffle” is one of those tracks.

Rockabilly HolidayDuane Eddy

Rockabilly Holiday

Nowadays, when you think of the electric guitar, it’s the star of a rock band, but it was once a modest accompaniment instrument.

The guitarist who overturned that notion and was among the very first to make the electric guitar a lead instrument, carrying the melody in instrumental pieces, was Duane Eddy.

One of his signature songs is this one, and the guitar instrumental format he established became a foundation for later rock music.

Theme of Hanzawa Naoki ~Main Title~Takayuki Hattori

Theme of Hanzawa Naoki ~Main Title~

It’s a masterpiece, memorable for the harpsichord taking the lead melody, intertwining with a rich orchestral sound to create a distinctive sense of tension! It’s the main theme of the TBS TV drama Hanzawa Naoki, which aired in 2013 and became a huge hit—many people are sure to recall the show as soon as they hear this piece.

The composer is the genius Takayuki Hattori, who has created music for countless classic dramas, TV programs, and films.

The Hattori family is also known for producing many renowned musicians.

This main theme has a heroic quality that stirs the fighting spirit just by listening, and when you’re facing hardship or frustration, why not play this track and rouse yourself with a spirited “I’ll pay you back double!”

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Blue CaféThe Style Council

The Style Council – Blue Cafe (Cover)

This is a simple, jazzy instrumental track just over two minutes long, featured on The Style Council’s debut masterpiece, Café Bleu.

The guitar is played by Paul Weller.

The sound of his fingers gliding over the strings is striking, conjuring up the atmosphere of a quiet café.

Slipping a track like this into the album is a perfect example of the genius of Paul Weller at his best.

NaadamShibusa Shirazu

Shibusashirazu Orchestra – Naadam @ Itadaki 2014

An avant-garde big band formed in 1989, centered around Daisuke Fuwa, with a rotating cast of various musicians and dancers.

While it’s categorized as jazz, at times it’s rock, at times Latin, and sometimes even has a chindon-ya street-band vibe—the group is bursting with festival energy.

With at least twice as many members as a typical band, their sound has an unparalleled sense of volume.

(Anesthesia) – Pulling TeethMetallica

[Anesthesia] –Pulling Teeth (Remastered)

Even if you know the name Metallica, you might assume they’re a heavy metal band that doesn’t do instrumental tracks.

The piece introduced here, “(Anesthesia) – Pulling Teeth,” is actually a bass solo by Cliff Burton, Metallica’s early member and legendary bassist who propelled the band with his innovative style before tragically dying in an accident.

It appears on their landmark debut album, Kill ’Em All, and the songwriting credit lists Cliff himself as the sole composer.

The fiercely distorted bass tone delivers an impressively aggressive and cool sound, so even if you don’t usually listen to metal, if you’re a bassist, this is a track you should hear at least once!

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Friend of the NightMogwai

Mogwai – “Friend of the Night”

It’s a type of song called post-rock.

While based on a band sound, it weaves in piano phrases.

It’s intense yet calm and unhurried—a track you’d want to listen to quietly in your room while having a drink.