Jazz fusion, also known as jazz rock, reached the peak of its popularity around the 1970s. Countless albums were released and became famous during that period. The sub-genre of jazz music still remains an important part of the music scene today.
Big names like Miles Davis may be the most familiar in the jazz fusion music industry. However, there are many works of music that can be considered legendary and among the best in history.
We have compiled a list of the most phenomenal and best jazz fusion albums of all time. Here is a lineup of albums that make the list:
1. Duster by the Gary Burton Quartet
Jazz fusion, a subgenre of jazz music widely known as a blend of jazz and other genres such as rock, R&B, and funk, produced one of the best jazz fusion albums, Duster by the Gary Burton Quartet.
This might be one of the earliest fusion albums dating back to 1967. Featuring vibraphonist Gary Burton showcasing a blend of Jazz and Progressive Rock with blues-tinged guitar by Larry Coryell. Duster became one of Burton’s frequently played albums throughout the 1970s. Burton and Coryell, along with bassist Steve Swallow and drummer Roy Hannes, delivered a captivating performance.
Burton managed to captivate listeners, although tracks from other artists emerged during that time, such as General Mojo’s Well Laid Plan and Portsmouth Harbour. Burton showcased sophisticated harmony in tracks like “Sing Me Softly of The Blues,” providing a balance to virtuoso performances. Overall, the Gary Burton Quartet can be seen as exemplary in this sub-genre of jazz music.
2. Out Of Sight and Sound by The Free Spirits
In 1966, Larry Coryell formed a band called The Free Spirits in New York City. They explored new music and performed with their band in various clubs around the city. The only album they produced was Out Of Sight and Sound.
Out of Sight and Sound, with its iconic album cover, brought forth a lot of music with mesmerizing guitar riffs, influenced by various genres beyond jazz. The cool opening track with meaningful lyrics showcased in their jazz fusion piece titled “Don’t Look Now (But Your Head Is Turned Around),” featuring repeated guitar riffs competing with saxophone wails.
The music is appealing to jazz-rock or jazz-fusion enthusiasts. Larry Coryell, the guitarist of The Free Spirits, often cited as the key architect of their jazz fusion sound. While this album may lean more towards rock than jazz at first glance, the clash of music genres brings forth truly innovative music.
Larry Coryell crafted this music by incorporating elements from his favorite rock bands like Miles and Rolling Stone. In this album, their music often features intricate chord progressions.
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3. In A Silent Way/Bitches Brew by Miles Davis (1969/1970)
In the world of jazz fusion music, Miles Davis is considered one of the most important figures. Inspired by previous big names like James Brown and Jimi Hendrix, Miles Davis showcased his musical talent.
Miles Davis successfully produced two jazz fusion albums, In a Silent Way and Bitches Brew. These albums were released consecutively, showcasing a convergence of his music with that of other musicians.
In a Silent Way became the first jazz fusion album successfully released in 1969, marking a shining period for Miles Davis. Apart from producing albums, he also solidified his name with his band.
Miles Davis collaborated with other great musicians like Herbie Hancock, John McLaughlin, and Joe Zawinul. Davis showcased his aura by continuously delivering creative musical works, capturing the attention of music enthusiasts.
Then, in 1970, he released another jazz fusion album named Bitches Brew. Featuring many musicians on this album such as Chick Corea, Joe Zawinul, and John McLaughlin, Davis continued to experiment with jazz fusion music through guitar arrangements with heavy-rock influences.
This was the key to the success of Miles Davis’ albums. Bitches Brew offered a different atmosphere from the more peaceful In a Silent Way.
4. Black Byrd by Donald Byrd (1973)
The name Donald Byrd is quite well-known, especially around the 1950s and 1960s. Donald Byrd was a hard bop player who became a leader for Blue Note Record. Later, in the late 1960s, he transitioned to R&B, funk, and African music.
Donald Byrd collaborated with producers Fonse Mizell and Larry to produce Black Byrd. One of the iconic jazz fusion albums released in 1973. It was a Blue Note Record recording that sold quite well in the market.
Throughout the 1970s, Black Byrd continued to explore different kinds of music. This included forming a music group called The Blackbyrds. The band was quite successful, with its members being students from Howard University.
Another album by Byrd that actually made it to the list of the best jazz fusion albums is Places and Spaces in 1976 and Blue Note Caricatures in 1977. His musical work in 1977 was his last performance.
5. Head Hunters by Herbie Hancock (1973)
Like Miles Davis and Joe Zawinul, Herbie Hancock came from the same band background. They joined a band known as Davis’s Second Great Quintet, formed and popular in 1963.
In addition to Hancock’s great works recorded with Davis’s band, Hancock also took time to record solo albums that successfully made it onto the Blue Note record label. The 1960s were a prolific era for Hancock, producing numerous recordings, both as a lead and as a sideman.
In 1973, Hancock formed Headhunters, which turned out to be his greatest success, selling over a million copies. The first Head Hunters recording combined various musical elements, ranging from R&B to funk, resulting in new sounds. Headhunters focused more on a smoother sound, quite different from Hancock’s previous recordings. Surprisingly, this work managed to attract a wider audience.
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6. Mahavishnu Orchestra: Bird of Fire by John McLaughlin (1973)
Apart from Miles Davis, John McLaughlin became one of the most well-known figures in the world of jazz fusion music. McLaughlin, an English guitarist and composer, also an alumnus of the same band as Miles Davis.
Through collaboration with Davis, McLaughlin showcased some of their best albums such as Bitches Brew and previously In a Silent Way. However, in the 1970s, McLaughlin left the band.
Not stopping there, he then formed the Mahavishnu Orchestra, which had a significant influence on the music industry.
Recordings with Davis heavily influenced McLaughlin’s music with elements of heavy rock. Different from the Mahavishnu Orchestra, he combined jazz and rock with influences from East and Southeast Asian music.
Through Mahavishnu Orchestra, McLaughlin managed to showcase extraordinary music with quite complex techniques. With different scales from Western music, Mahavishnu Orchestra provided a more dynamic musical performance, combining Jazz Fusion with smoother musical styles.
7. Spectrum by Billy Cobham (1973)
Billy Cobham is known as the most prolific jazz fusion drummer of all time. His work includes famous jazz fusion songs produced with Miles Davis and Mahavishnu Orchestra.
Cobham had perfect abilities and techniques to execute more aggressive jazz fusion music. Combining complex jazz rhythms with more aggressive rock and roll music, Spectrum became one of the most influential jazz fusion albums.
This marked Cobham’s debut with inspirations and experiences gained while working with Miles Davis and Mahavishnu Orchestra. The album features a contrasting blend of beautiful jazz music with spirited and fiery rock music. Jazz improvisation on this album remains conventional, keeping it engaging.
8. Native Dancer by Wayne Shorter (1974)
Wayne Shorter was a member of the Second Great Quintet formed by Miles Davis. He was the most influential figure in Jazz Fusion music. Wayne Shorter undoubtedly had musical experiences with Herbie Hancock and other members of Miles Davis’ band.
Wayne Shorter recorded several albums that received acclaim. One of his most famous albums is Native Dancer, released in 1974. It provides refreshing music for jazz fusion enthusiasts.
The combination of samba music with funk results in enjoyable music with shades of beach atmosphere and sunset. This album has also been cited by several famous artists like Esperanza Spalding.
9. Weather Report: Heavy Weather by Joe Zawinul (1977)
Joe Zawinul is known as an Austrian pianist and composer who played the saxophone in Cannonball Adderley and the trumpet in Miles Davis’ group. Along with Wayne Shorter, he formed Weather Report in 1970.
Joe Zawinul is a pioneer in electronic piano music. He is also known for using synthesizers in jazz music, which is beloved by many. Joe Zawinul was enthusiastic about combining various original music from around the world. However, funk and R&B are inseparable parts of his music.
One of Joe Zawinul’s successes is the album Heavy Weather. It contains hits like “Birdland,” which received critical acclaim. This recording also won prestigious awards like Downbeat’s Album of The Year.
10. Return To Forever: Romantic Warrior by Chick Corea (1977)
Chick Corea was a member of Miles Davis’ band. He was known as one of the most popular jazz pianists of his time. Chick Corea left Davis and then formed a jazz group with Dave Holland.
Return to Forever: Romantic Warrior is Chick Corea’s sixth album. This album was recorded in a remote rural area in Colorado. It became one of the popular albums for Chick Corea.
These are the best jazz fusion albums of all time that have been released and are still great to listen to today. Do you agree to give them a listen?