Masterpieces of Japanese fusion—From nostalgic classics to recent recommendations—
Fusion is a hybrid music genre that, while rooted in jazz, blends many elements ranging from rock and world music to electronic music and even classical.
In Japan as well, a fusion boom erupted from the late 1970s to the early 1980s, and bands and artists achieving major commercial success appeared one after another.
This time, we’re focusing on Japanese artists and bands to introduce classic tracks from Japanese fusion.
Please enjoy the brilliance of Japanese fusion—music that has greatly influenced the history of J-pop and features many key figures in the recently buzzworthy genre known as city pop!
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- Masterpieces of Japanese fusion—From nostalgic classics to recent recommendations—
- Best City Pop Classics: Recommended Popular Songs [Timeless & Modern]
- [2026] Masterpieces of instrumental music. Recommended instrumental tracks.
- Carefully selected Japanese songs with a Latin flavor! Recommended J-POP brimming with exotic vibes
- A roundup of instrumental fusion bands active in Japan
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Masterpieces of Japanese Fusion: From Nostalgic Classics to Recent Recommendations (21–30)
Sweet IllusionSakamoto Ryūichi & Kakutōgi Sesshon
The album Summer Nerves drew attention for its unique concept of having fusion and rock musicians jam together on the same instruments.
This track, included on that album, is characterized by a funny yet smooth arrangement.
FACEST-SQUARE
This is a well-known T-SQUARE number, famous as the F1 theme.
In fact, this piece is also related to F1; it was used as the theme song for Ayrton Senna, the late Brazilian hero.
The driving ensemble is complemented by guitar and wind synth, intertwining with a spacious, expansive feel.
BELIEVIN’NANIWA EXP
In the 1980s, NANIWA EXPRESS, also known as the “Kansai Fusion” band, garnered strong support from music fans.
BELIEVIN’ was released as a single in 1986.
You can feel their energetic emotions through the sound—it’s passionate fusion.
MORNING LIGHTPRISM
The gentle tone, just as the title suggests, seems perfect as a morning wake-up BGM.
It’s a track by Prism, a fusion band formed around guitarist Akira Wada and bassist Ken Watanabe.
It’s included on their first album, “PRISM,” released in 1977.
AganaKawasaki Ryo
He started out as a studio musician, leapt beyond Japan to the United States, and went on to hold sessions with legendary jazz and fusion musicians.
This track makes you keenly aware that his compositional sense and technique are both first-rate.
Mi AmoreMatsuoka Naoya
A melancholic, heartrending Latin fusion number with a sorrow-tinged piano backing and a distinctive timbales rhythm.
It’s known as one of Akina Nakamori’s signature songs and a Japan Record Award winner, but it was composed by this person.
It has a charm that’s different from the vocal version.
MONSTER MASHIma Tsuyoshi
You just want to keep listening to those poppy, refreshing guitar tones, don’t you? This is a piece by guitarist Tsuyoshi Kon from Kushiro, Hokkaido.
It’s included on his first album, “STUDIO CAT,” released in 1980.
It conjures up the image of a breeze blowing through.