Ranking of popular fusion songs
When you hear the word “fusion,” what songs come to mind?
Some of you might not be able to picture what it sounds like.
Fusion is a broad genre that blends jazz and rock, so it can be hard to draw clear lines—and for those unfamiliar, it may feel a bit elusive.
It’s frequently featured in commercials and soundtracks, and is widely used as background music.
This media outlet, run by Live Spot RAG—a Kyoto venue that has long been devoted to fusion—will introduce you to truly outstanding tracks.
Based on reliable feedback from music fans we’ve received so far, we’ve researched the most popular picks and will present them in a ranking format.
Playlist
| Ranking of popular fusion songs | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1 | SpainChick Corea |  play_arrow | Chick Corea was a jazz innovator who laid the foundations of fusion. |
| 2 | Breezin’George Benson |  play_arrow | George Benson, a guitarist who fused jazz and pop |
| 3 | TRUTHT-SQUARE |  play_arrow | T-SQUARE’s classic song TRUTH, the F1 theme song |
| 4 | ASAYAKECASIOPEA |  play_arrow | The appeal of Casiopea’s signature song “Asayake” |
| 5 | Just the two of usGrover Washington Jr. |  play_arrow | 『Just The Two of Us』… |
| 6 | ChameleonHerbie Hancock |  play_arrow | Herbie Hancock is a master who revolutionized jazz. |
| 7 | Race With Devil On Spanish HighwayAl Di Meola |  play_arrow | Al Di Meola: A Fusion Guitarist of Jazz and Latin |
| 8 | Freedom at MidnightDavid Benoit |  play_arrow | David, an American pianist, ... |
| 9 | Room 335 (Long Version)Larry Carlton |  play_arrow | When it comes to fusion music, Larry Ca... |
| 10 | DOMINO LINECASIOPEA |  play_arrow | Fusion music of Casiopea |
| 11 | Forget Me NotsPATRICE RUSHEN |  play_arrow | This is Patrice Rushen’s “… |
| 12 | FootprintsWayne Shorter |  play_arrow | Wayne Shorter: The sonic sorcerer of jazz fusion |
| 13 | The afternoon horizonMatsuoka Naoya |  play_arrow | The coolness of a summer seaside by Naoya Matsuoka |
| 14 | HerculesParachute |  play_arrow | Introduction to Parachute’s signature song, Hercules |
| 15 | MaputoBob James |  play_arrow | Pianist and producer Bo… |
| 16 | Straight To The HeartDavid Sanborn |  play_arrow | When it comes to fusion saxophonists, the first one that comes to mind is… |
| 17 | Donna LeeJaco Pastorius |  play_arrow | The 1976 album “Jaco Past…” |
| 18 | The ChickenJaco Pastorius |  play_arrow | Jaco Pastorius: The Allure of the Bass Revolutionary |
| 19 | BirdlandJoe Zawinul |  play_arrow | Joe Zawinul, pioneer of jazz fusion |
| 20 | Incident At NeshaburSantana |  play_arrow | Mexican-born guitarist Carlos San... |
| 21 | SensationSensation |  play_arrow | A new fusion from an Osaka-born instrumental band |
| 22 | Alibabasupēsu sākasu |  play_arrow | Signature song of Space Circus. |
| 23 | Mas Que NadaAl Jarreau |  play_arrow | Al Jarreau’s musical life and influence |
| 24 | Mornin’Al Jarreau |  play_arrow | That legendary 'We are the wor…' |
| 25 | Looking GlassAllan Holdsworth |  play_arrow | Allan Holdsworth innovative guitarist |
| 26 | Jazz CarnivalAzymuth |  play_arrow | I’m currently producing an enormous number (of tracks/works) in progress… |
| 27 | Red BaronBilly Cobham |  play_arrow | Billy Cobham, a pioneer of jazz |
| 28 | Symphony For The DevilBlood, Sweat & Tears |  play_arrow | Originally, The Rolling Ston… |
| 29 | Take Me to the Mardi GrasBob James |  play_arrow | 『Take Me To The Mard… |
| 30 | Westchester LadyBob James |  play_arrow | Bob James, the master of jazz–classical fusion |
| 31 | The Woman of IrelandBob James |  play_arrow | It has a slow, heartrending sound in this work—but still... |
| 32 | Blacks and BluesBobbi Humphrey |  play_arrow | He, who can be considered a leading figure among female fusionists... |
| 33 | FriendsBrad Mehldau Trio |  play_arrow | A jazzy, warm-sounding wood bass and ja... |
| 34 | Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?CHICAGO |  play_arrow | 『Does Anybody Really… |
| 35 | SMiLEDOMi & JD BECK |  play_arrow | They drew attention with their virtuosic performance videos on social media, and “Ji… |
| 36 | Chicago SongDavid Sanborn |  play_arrow | Saxophonist Sanborn, a master player of fusion |
| 37 | ROUND TRIPDimension |  play_arrow | DIMENSION's "ROUND TRIP" is a baseball broadcast theme song. |
| 38 | Sky HighDonald Byrd |  play_arrow | Even among modern jazz musicians, ... |
| 39 | All Through the NightEarl Klugh |  play_arrow | Right from the intro, the high-pitched sound of a gut guitar... |
| 40 | 101 EastboundFourplay |  play_arrow | A superband featuring stars of the fusion world |
| 41 | Brazilian Love AffairGeorge Duke |  play_arrow | George, an American keyboardist… |
| 42 | Reach OutGeorge Duke |  play_arrow | George Duke is a leading figure in the fusion scene. |
| 43 | HopoponoGoGo Penguin |  play_arrow | It was held in Manchester, UK, in 2009... |
| 44 | Django – Rudy Van Gelder Edition / Remastered 1999Grant Green |  play_arrow | Grant Gr… who was active from the 1960s |
| 45 | WinelightGrover Washington Jr. |  play_arrow | Grover Washington Jr.'s smooth jazz |
| 46 | Bitter Sweet SambaHerb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass |  play_arrow | The 1965 album “Whipped C…” |
| 47 | RockitHerbie Hancock |  play_arrow | The album “Future Sh…” released in ’83 |
| 48 | One WishHiroshima |  play_arrow | A five-member Japanese band that plays fusion with koto |
| 49 | Miami Vice ThemeJan Hammer |  play_arrow | Jan Hammer's synthesizer playing revolutionized jazz fusion |
| 50 | MirageJean-Luc Ponty |  play_arrow | The violin innovator born in France, Je... |
| 51 | Melodies Of LoveJoe Sample |  play_arrow | Joe Sample is an important pianist in fusion music that blends jazz and rock. |
| 52 | It’s YouJoyce Cooling |  play_arrow | Accomplished female guitarist Joyce Cooling… |
| 53 | Street Fighter MasKamasi Washington |  play_arrow | An artist bringing a fresh breeze to the contemporary jazz scene… |
| 54 | SongbirdKenny G |  play_arrow | Kenny G is a representative performer of smooth jazz. |
| 55 | The MomentKenny G |  play_arrow | The 1996-released album “The Momen…” |
| 56 | Room 335Larry Carlton |  play_arrow | Larry Carlton is a powerhouse in the fusion world. |
| 57 | SleepwalkLarry Carlton |  play_arrow | “Sleepwalk” features a bluesy performance… |
| 58 | Is It You?Lee Ritenour |  play_arrow | Fusion guitarist Lee Ritenour… |
| 59 | ExpansionsLonnie Liston Smith |  play_arrow | Lonnie Liston Smith is… |
| 60 | Noonward RaceMahavishnu Orchestra |  play_arrow | Mahavishnu Orchestra… |
| 61 | One WordMahavishnu Orchestra |  play_arrow | Songs by the Mahavishnu Orchestra |
| 62 | Run for CoveMarcus Miller |  play_arrow | Marcus Miller is an accomplished bassist who blends jazz and R&B. |
| 63 | GigantactisMark Lettieri |  play_arrow | Guitarist Mark Lettieri's guita... |
| 64 | Song For BilbaoMichael Brecker |  play_arrow | Michael Brecker’s musical life and achievements |
| 65 | ChromazoneMike Stern |  play_arrow | The musical characteristics and comeback story of Mike Stern |
| 66 | In A Silent WayMiles Davis |  play_arrow | Transcending the bounds of jazz, he blazed new horizons in music… |
| 67 | John McLaughlinMiles Davis |  play_arrow | “John McLaughlin” is Ja... |
| 68 | So WhatMiles Davis |  play_arrow | The album released in ’59, “Kind of B… |
| 69 | Are You Going with Me?Pat Metheny |  play_arrow | Pat Metheny, a versatile jazz guitarist |
| 70 | Bright Size LifePat Metheny |  play_arrow | The album Bright Si… released in ’76 |
| 71 | Last Train HomePat Metheny Group |  play_arrow | “Last Train Home” is a guita... |
| 72 | All Behind Us NowPatti Austin |  play_arrow | From a beautifully translucent piano sound... |
| 73 | The Romantic WarriorReturn To Forever |  play_arrow | A masterpiece of fusion jazz by a New York quintet |
| 74 | Talk to Your DaughterRobben Ford |  play_arrow | This is Robben Ford's 'Tal…' |
| 75 | SearchingRoy Ayers |  play_arrow | Because the timbre is soulful yet light, it ends up… |
| 76 | Ready to FlySadistics |  play_arrow | Introducing Sadistics' classic song, Ready to Fly |
| 77 | TrinitySnarky Puppy |  play_arrow | A Texas-inspired instrumental by Snarky Puppy |
| 78 | IT DOESN’T MATTERSpyro Gyra |  play_arrow | The album “Morning D…” released in ’79 |
| 79 | School DaysStanley Clarke |  play_arrow | Stanley Clarke revolutionizes jazz fusion |
| 80 | Way Back HomeSteve Gadd |  play_arrow | The Appeal of Steve Gadd’s Inventive Drumming |
| 81 | Sister MoonSting |  play_arrow | St..., a British singer-songwriter |
| 82 | FACEST-SQUARE |  play_arrow | Sena’s theme song, a high-velocity ensemble |
| 83 | SpiralThe Crusaders |  play_arrow | From Texas, fusion of jazz and rock |
| 84 | THE LOW SPARK OF HIGH HEELED BOYSTraffic |  play_arrow | Introducing classic songs by Traffic |
| 85 | BirdlandWeather Report |  play_arrow | “Birdland” features a unique sound and te… |
| 86 | mount. airy groovepieces of a dream |  play_arrow | A pop fusion track released in ’82 |
| 87 | SOLID DANCEshanbara |  play_arrow | Shambala is an urban J-pop from the late ’80s |
| 88 | Say GoodbyeSato Hiroshi |  play_arrow | I was even invited by Haruomi Hosono to be one of the early members of YMO... |
| 89 | twilightYamane Asai |  play_arrow | A jazzy number famous for activity with George Yanagi |
| 90 | game; play; amusementHonda Toshiyuki |  play_arrow | Family Game incidental music, saxophone quintet |
| 91 | Mi AmoreMatsuoka Naoya |  play_arrow | Akina Nakamori’s signature tearful Latin fusion song |
| 92 | RENDEZVOUSWatanabe Sadao |  play_arrow | Sadao Watanabe’s saxophone piece, characterized by a shimmering tone |
| 93 | Straight to the TopWatanabe Sadao |  play_arrow | A classic song by Sadao Watanabe in collaboration with Dave Grusin |
| 94 | vibrationKasai Kimiko |  play_arrow | A song whose Japanese version was released first |
| 95 | Sports MenHosono Haruomi |  play_arrow | Fusing diverse styles with electro sound |
| 96 | SEA LINE “RIE”Kadamatsu Toshiki |  play_arrow | Toshiki Kadomatsu’s 1987 fusion album |
| 97 | BLUE LAGOONKōsaka Masayoshi |  play_arrow | Introduction to Masayoshi Takanaka’s signature song “BLUE LAGOON” |
| 98 | Plumed BirdKōsaka Masayoshi |  play_arrow | A fine, fast-paced guitar-driven track |
| 99 | SAUDADEKōsaka Masayoshi |  play_arrow | Resort vibes with Masayoshi Takanaka’s refreshing guitar tunes |
| 100 | Night Birdsshakatak |  | “Night Birds” is from the 1980s… |