Classic fusion music masterpieces. Recommended staple tracks.
“Fusion” is a music genre that grew out of jazz, and true to its name, it blends a wide range of elements into a genuinely crossover sound that has produced countless classic albums and songs.
If you’re curious about fusion and want to sample a few tracks, this article introduces essential tunes—from soft, stylish numbers to complex, groundbreaking pieces.
Focusing mainly on overseas artists, we’ll cover beloved hits from years past, canonical staples, and standout tracks by artists who blend the hallmarks of jazz fusion with contemporary flair.
Whether you’re feeling nostalgic for the old days or searching for modern fusion, read on.
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Fusion music masterpieces: recommended standard tracks (41–50)
Mornin’Al Jarreau
This is a song by Al Jarreau, who also took a lead vocal on the legendary “We Are the World.” The guitar’s rhythmic approach is brought to the forefront and serves as a striking accent.
Al Jarreau’s supple, soaring vocals are beautiful, and as the arrangement steadily builds, his outstanding singing stretches out effortlessly, making this a thoroughly pleasing number.
Feel The NightLee Ritenour
“Feel the Night” is a track by the hugely popular fusion guitarist Lee Ritenour, included on his 1979 album Feel the Night.
The piercing guitar tone drives a powerful melody—this is the quintessential fusion guitar sound.
Ritenour’s phrasing is gorgeous; he’s truly a model fusion guitarist and definitely someone fans of fusion should listen to.
FriendsChick Corea
Included on the 1978 album “Friends.” Born in 1941, a pianist from Massachusetts.
He specializes in performances that are rooted in jazz while incorporating elements of rock and classical music.
It’s a song with a bossa nova-style melody that makes you want to dance.
Jazz CarnivalAzymuth
Among the vast number of tracks they’re producing right now, this one is a straight-ahead dance number.
I’m not sure they had any particular expertise in that area, but this synth brass sounds incredibly cool through a club PA.
SpiralThe Crusaders
From the 1976 album Those Southern Knights.
A four-piece group from Texas that debuted in 1961.
Even before the term “fusion” was coined, they had already brought that concept into their music and developed a distinctive sound.
It’s a cool track with jazz rhythms and rock guitar.
MirageJean-Luc Ponty
Jean-Luc Ponty, the French-born innovator of the violin.
Grounded in classical training yet relentlessly exploring the possibilities of the electric violin in jazz and fusion, his music continues to captivate many listeners.
The landmark album Enigmatic Ocean, released in September 1977, is a masterpiece that topped the Billboard jazz chart, and among its tracks lies a jewel of an instrumental—truly a mirage of sound.
It begins as if drifting across a sea of spacey synths, with Ponty’s violin slicing through the air—at times sweet and lyrical, at times fierce and cutting.
Don’t miss Allan Holdsworth’s guitar solo either.
It’s a perfect track both for newcomers to fusion and for moments when you want to immerse yourself deeply in music.
SandboxLeni Stern
Leni Stern, a guitarist from Germany who is also highly acclaimed worldwide as a singer-songwriter.
Her discography is filled with fine pieces, reflecting her ongoing explorations—rooted in jazz while incorporating African music.
The work I’m introducing is a track from Black Guitar, the album that became a turning point and propelled her musical evolution.
Her signature crystalline guitar tone is soothing, and its bluesy nuances create a unique sense of light and shade.
It’s also striking how the vocals she began to pursue in earnest around this period blend into the sound as if they were another instrument.
The acclaimed album Black Guitar, which includes this track, was released in January 1997.
Following the establishment of her own label, LSR, it marked an ambitious, independent statement and a pivotal moment in her career.
Its refined yet warm sound is sure to appeal even to those new to fusion.
It’s the kind of music that would suit a stylish café, setting the mood for a calm, sophisticated moment.