[Western Music] Classic Jazz Fusion Masterpieces: Must-Listen Recommended Albums [2025]

Nuclear BurnBrand X

Nuclear Burn

Speaking of Brand X, they are a highly regarded band not only among jazz-rock and fusion fans, but also among progressive rock enthusiasts thanks to the caliber of the musicians involved.

Their debut album, Unorthodox Behaviour—released in 1976 and also known in Japan under the title “Abnormal Conduct”—is a masterpiece whose fierce performances by superb musicians still feel fresh and exhilarating today.

The rhythmic duel between fretless bass virtuoso Percy Jones and Phil Collins—Genesis’s vocalist and a drummer who would later achieve major solo success—is particularly noteworthy.

Meeting of the SpiritsMahavishnu Orchestra

Mahavishnu Orchestra – Meeting Of The Spirits/You Know You Know

The Mahavishnu Orchestra is a jazz fusion band formed in New York in 1971 by British guitarist John McLaughlin.

It’s a virtuoso outfit that brought together top-tier players like Billy Cobham, Jan Hammer, Jerry Goodman, and Rick Laird.

Their debut album, The Inner Mounting Flame, was released in November 1971.

Its innovative sound—seamlessly blending jazz, rock, and Indian classical music—and its intensely energetic performances are just incredibly cool.

Palm GreaseHerbie Hancock

Palm Grease

Herbie Hancock is a genius who transcends the boundaries of jazz, seamlessly fusing a wide range of genres from electronic music to funk.

Though an American jazz pianist, his talent as a composer who freely moves across musical borders is truly a treasure.

His 1974 release Thrust stands as a landmark album that further deepened the jazz-funk style he established on his previous work, Head Hunters.

Achieving commercial success by reaching No.

13 on the Billboard charts, this masterpiece brilliantly blends innovative sounds driven by a diverse array of synthesizers with the Headhunters’ powerful grooves.

Matinee IdolYellowjackets

Matinee Idol

This American fusion group has been active steadily since their formation in 1981.

They were formed mainly by the backing musicians who played on the solo album of guitarist Robben Ford, who is active across all genres.

Centered around keyboardist Russell Ferrante—the group’s only original member—they have continued to release work consistently.

Their self-titled debut album, released in the year they formed, features Robben’s full participation as well and offers plenty of performances brimming with youthful energy and talent from each player.

Soft SpiritHenry Franklin

Soft Spirit

Henry Franklin is an essential figure when discussing West Coast jazz of the 1970s.

The California-born bassist is a renowned virtuoso, also known for his appearance on Hugh Masekela’s smash hit “Grazing in the Grass.” Released in 1974 on Black Jazz Records, The Skipper at Home is his second solo album—an ambitious work that fuses a wide range of styles from soul jazz to jazz-funk.

The groove generated by the stellar ensemble, including Oscar Brashear on trumpet and Kirk Lightsey on keyboards, is nothing short of breathtaking.

It’s a hidden gem that later drew attention in the hip-hop world after being sampled by A Tribe Called Quest.

The LoversLes McCann

The Lovers

Les McCann, a soul-jazz pioneer from Kentucky, rose to worldwide prominence with “Compared to What” at the 1969 Montreux Jazz Festival.

His 1972 release, Invitation to Openness, stands as a pivotal work from the dawn of jazz fusion.

Featuring a stellar lineup including Yusef Lateef, the album’s three-track, 52-minute structure seamlessly blends improvisation with meticulous arrangements.

Its innovative use of electric piano and Moog synthesizer forged a sound that would profoundly influence later hip-hop and R&B scenes.

A masterpiece highly recommended for anyone interested in musical explorations that transcend the boundaries of jazz.

MaiyshaMiles Davis

Maiysha

Miles Davis, a giant who continues to transcend the bounds of jazz and profoundly influence the global music scene.

Released in 1974, just before he entered a roughly four-year hiatus starting in 1975, Get Up with It is a sprawling double album that can be considered the culmination of his electric period.

Centered around previously unreleased recordings made between 1970 and 1974, it unfolds an experimental sound where African rhythms merge with fusion, highlighted by the elegy He Loved Him Madly, a tribute to Duke Ellington.

It’s a bold, innovative problem child of a record—one that’s best approached after you’ve spent some time with Miles’s music.