Acid jazz masterpieces. Recommended popular tracks.
Acid jazz is a music genre that was born in the UK in the 1980s.
Many of you have probably heard the name.
However, since acid jazz blends various genres into jazz, the vibe can differ greatly from track to track, so I imagine few people can instantly recall its melody.
This time, I’ve picked out some classic acid jazz tracks for those people.
There are plenty of lesser-known songs as well, so even those who regularly listen to acid jazz will find recommendations here!
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Acid jazz masterpieces. Recommended popular tracks (1–10)
Koop Island BluesKoop
For those who enjoy a faded, decayed atmosphere, I recommend Koop Island Blues.
This piece is a signature work by Koop, the jazz duo composed of Magnus Zingmark and Oscar Simonsson.
If you’re imagining acid jazz in the vein of Jamiroquai, it might feel a bit hard to approach.
But since the definition of acid jazz is vague to begin with, I think you’ll enjoy it if you listen with the mindset of “so this counts as acid jazz too, huh?”
Morning LightM-Swift & Vanessa Haynes
M-Swift is a music group led by Shohei Matsushita.
They work across various genres such as acid jazz and house, and have achieved global success.
Their collaboration with London soul singer Vanessa Haynes is the track Morning Light.
It’s a standout song that blends M-Swift’s flowing, house-inflected acid jazz with Vanessa’s soulful vocals in a well-balanced mix.
Bossa Per DueNicola Conte
For those who want to listen to traditional acid jazz, I recommend Bossa Per Due.
This work is a signature release by Italian music producer Nicola Conte and became a hit, especially across Europe.
Centered on Latin jazz and bossa nova, his music has grown increasingly jazz-oriented over the course of his career and is considered to have laid the groundwork for contemporary acid jazz.
If you want to learn about the history of acid jazz, be sure to check it out.
Acid jazz masterpieces. Recommended popular tracks (11–20)
JesseMother Earth
Mother Earth is one of the bands that supported the UK acid jazz boom of the 1990s.
They belong to the generation just before Jamiroquai, and the acid jazz of that era is almost identical in form to what we hear today.
One of Mother Earth’s masterpieces is Jesse.
While the arrangement centers on live instruments, it’s far more avant-garde than classic jazz, and you can feel elements of Black music—like soul and R&B—throughout.
Highly recommended if you’re looking for some gritty acid jazz.
Spanish JointD’Angelo
There’s a genre within Black music called neo-soul.
Neo-soul blends soul music with a range of styles like funk, jazz, and hip-hop.
D’Angelo, the artist behind “Spanish Joint,” is known as a pioneer of neo-soul.
While this track could be categorized as neo-soul, its strong jazz flavor led me to feature it here as a classic of acid jazz.
The song is intricately crafted, with a noticeable Latin essence as well, making it a highly complex piece.
Rose rougeSt Germain
Saint Germain is a French artist known for acid jazz that mixes house music and nu jazz.
While you might associate typical acid jazz with digital sounds, Rose rouge is an acid jazz track crafted with the analog warmth of live instruments.
If you enjoy avant-garde contemporary jazz, this one will really hit the spot—be sure to check it out.
Seven Nation Army feat. Alice RussellNostalgia 77
Nostalgia 77 is a music producer active in multiple units, including Nostalgia 77 Octet and The Broken Keys.
He’s considered indispensable when discussing modern acid jazz, and he’s popular for his contemporary sound that evokes spiritual jazz.
One of his standout tracks is Seven Nation Army feat.
Alice Russell.
It’s acid jazz with strong elements of soul and blues, making it a great recommendation for those who like punchy works.