[Western Music] Classic Jazz Fusion Masterpieces: Must-Listen Recommended Albums [2025]
Among the many subgenres of jazz, fusion—true to the meaning of the word—features a crossover sound that blends a jazz foundation with a wide range of genres, from rock and Latin music to even electronic music.
It’s an extremely popular genre in Japan as well.
For those who’ve become interested in fusion, we’re introducing must-hear fusion masterpieces! In addition to historical classics, we’ve included recent gems that embody jazz fusion elements in a broad sense.
Why not experience the depth of fusion’s sound—one that transcends the boundaries of jazz and has had an immense impact on contemporary popular music?
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[Western Music] Classic Jazz Fusion Masterpieces: Must-Listen Recommended Albums [2025] (21–30)
The First CirclePat Metheny Group
Led by guitarist Pat Metheny from Missouri, the Pat Metheny Group is an essential band in the history of fusion.
Released in 1984, First Circle marked the arrival of Argentine musician Pedro Aznar and became an ambitious work that incorporated South American rhythms and Spanish-language vocals.
The fusion of complex time signatures and beautiful melodies—especially in the title track—is breathtaking, and it’s no surprise it won the Grammy Award for Best Jazz Fusion Performance the following year.
With the inclusion of ethnic instruments and experimental approaches throughout, it’s a masterpiece that fusion fans will find irresistible.
Have You HeardPat Metheny Group
Led by Pat Metheny, one of America’s foremost jazz guitarists, the Pat Metheny Group is a band that anyone interested in fusion simply can’t ignore.
Active since the late 1970s with remarkable longevity, they were a popular group that also achieved commercial success.
Their 1989 release, Letter from Home, earned not only strong sales but also high critical acclaim, winning the 1990 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Fusion Performance.
Heavily influenced by Brazilian music, it’s a masterpiece where you can enjoy the deft ensemble work of members with diverse backgrounds and the uniquely beautiful melodies that only Pat can deliver!
TrainsSteps Ahead
This group was formed around 1979, centered on vibraphonist Mike Mainieri from New York, who is also well known as the founder of NYC Records.
Magnetic, released in 1986 and the final album from the period when popular tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker was a member, is a highly regarded classic of electric jazz.
The great George Duke also participated as a producer, and the album is filled with high-quality tracks—from vocal numbers to instrumentals—that are all a pleasure to listen to.
Heads in the CloudDry Jack
They were a New York–based fusion band active from the 1970s through the 1980s.
Compared to contemporaries like Return to Forever and Weather Report, they aren’t as widely known, but the two albums they left behind were reissued on CD in the 2000s and they’ve maintained a devoted following among fusion fans.
Their second album, Whale City, released in 1979, is a hidden fusion masterpiece of high quality, thanks in part to mastering by the legendary Bob Ludwig.
The band was centered around two brothers—a keyboardist and a bassist—whose playing is prominently featured throughout.
Straight LifeFreddie Hubbard
Freddie Hubbard, a trumpeter who epitomized the American jazz scene and excelled across a wide range of styles from hard bop to fusion.
Released by CTI Records in 1970, Straight Life is a masterpiece that brilliantly distills Hubbard’s multifaceted musicality.
Top-tier musicians like Joe Henderson, Herbie Hancock, and George Benson provide stellar support, and the album unfolds a sound that exquisitely blends elements of soul jazz and jazz-funk.
In particular, Mr.
Clean, built around a funk beat, shines with superb improvisations from each player.
It’s a classic I recommend to anyone who wants to savor a crossover sound that transcends the boundaries of jazz.
LowdownIncognito
Incognito, a leading figure in acid jazz with a career spanning over 40 years, is a veteran British band.
Their 2010 album Transatlantic RPM, released to celebrate their 30th anniversary, is widely acclaimed as a masterpiece among their recent discography.
Featuring collaborations with greats like Chaka Khan, Leon Ware, and Al McKay, the album bursts with their love for American soul and funk—their very roots—and has delighted longtime fans and a wide range of music listeners alike.
Got A Match?Chick Corea Elektric Band
Formed in 1985 by pianist Chick Corea—renowned for his distinctive phrasing and long-standing popularity across straight-ahead piano jazz, Latin music, and fusion—the Chick Corea Elektric Band features a lineup of young musicians.
Their debut album, packed with dazzling technique, is a series of constant surprises.
From one of their signature tunes, “Got A Match?”, to the colorful synthesizer sounds and the members’ spark-flying improvisations, it’s an absolute must-listen.