Start here first! Classic jazz-rock masterpieces. Recommended popular tracks.
“Jazz rock” is, literally, a crossover music genre that fuses jazz and rock, and abroad it’s also referred to as a subgenre of jazz fusion.
There are works by innovative musicians from the jazz side that take a rock-oriented approach, as well as sounds by rock and progressive bands and artists that incorporate jazzy elements, so it’s not a genre with strictly defined boundaries.
In this article, we’ve carefully selected and highlighted a number of classic tracks by renowned bands and artists associated with jazz rock.
Of course the songs themselves are fantastic, but be sure to remember the names of the musicians involved as well!
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Start Here First! Jazz-Rock Masterpieces: Recommended Popular Tracks (21–30)
Hope for HappinessThe Soft Machine
Soft Machine was an English band active from 1966 to 1984, and their name is derived from the works of William S.
Burroughs.
“Hope for Happiness” is a track included on their debut album, The Soft Machine.
Oye Como VaSantana
Santana is an American band formed around Carlos Santana.
“Oye Como Va” (Japanese title: “Boku no Rhythm o Kiitokure”) is included on the 1970 album Abraxas, which reached No.
1 on the Billboard charts.
[Start Here!] Jazz-Rock Masterpieces: Recommended Popular Tracks (31–40)
A Watery KentuckyGastr del Sol
Gastr del Sol was an American band formed around David Grubbs that was active until 1998.
“A Watery Kentucky” is a track from their 1993 debut album, The Serpentine Similar.
Milky WayWeather Report
Weather Report was an American musical group formed around Wayne Shorter and Joe Zawinul, and it disbanded in 1986.
“Milky Way” is included on the 1971 album Weather Report.
Lay Me DownIan Gillan Band
The Ian Gillan Band is a group formed by Ian Gillan, who was a member of Deep Purple.
“Lay Me Down” is a track from their debut album, Child in Time, released in 1976.
Soup SongRobert Wyatt
Robert Wyatt is a musician from England who was a member of Soft Machine.
He has also worked as a solo musician, and “Soup Song” is included on his 1975 album Ruth Is Stranger Than Richard.
Winter WineCaravan
Caravan is an English band that debuted in 1968.
Since then, they have repeatedly split up and reformed.
“Winter Wine” is included on their 1971 album In the Land of Grey and Pink.