Items12The creator’s order
  1. 1In a Silent Way (1969)In a Silent Way (1969)Released 1 Jan 1969Recorded in a single day and edited by producer Teo Macero into two hypnotic side-long suites, this album birthed ambient jazz fusion. Powered by Tony Williams's gentle, metronomic hi-hat tap and John McLaughlin's shimmering electric guitar, the music hovers in serene suspension, letting Miles…0
  2. 2Thrust (1974)Thrust (1974)Released 1 Jan 1974Following the massive commercial success of Head Hunters, Herbie Hancock and The Headhunters pushed their funk-jazz synchronisation even further. Drummer Mike Clark and bassist Paul Jackson establish a syncopated, polyrhythmic pocket on Actual Proof and Palm Grease that remains one of the greatest…0
  3. 3Heavy Weather (1977)Heavy Weather (1977)Released 1 Jan 1977With the arrival of virtuoso bassist Jaco Pastorius, Weather Report transformed fusion into exuberant, stadium-filling pop artistry. Joe Zawinul's joyful synthesizers, Wayne Shorter's singing soprano saxophone and Jaco's singing fretless bassline on Birdland deliver instant melodic delight without…0
  4. 4Light as a Feather (1973)Light as a Feather (1973)Released 1 Jan 1973Chick Corea and Return to Forever combined Brazilian samba with sparkling electric jazz. Driven by Airto Moreira's bubbling percussion, Flora Purim's radiant vocals and Stanley Clarke's acoustic bass propulsion, Spain turns Rodrigo's classical guitar concerto into an exhilarating, sun-drenched…0
  5. 5Birds of Fire (1973)Birds of Fire (1973)Released 1 Jan 1973John McLaughlin and his international quintet fused the sheer physical volume of Jimi Hendrix with Indian classical time signatures. Powered by Billy Cobham's volcanic drumming and Jan Hammer's searing synthesizers, complex meters in 9/8 and 18/8 feel as ferocious and direct as a heavy rock freight…0
  6. 6Spectrum (1973)Spectrum (1973)Released 1 Jan 1973Fresh from the Mahavishnu Orchestra, drummer Billy Cobham recorded this explosive solo debut featuring a young Tommy Bolin on lead guitar and Jan Hammer on electric keys. The iconic groove of Stratus provides an unstoppable, hypnotic funk-rock blueprint that later laid the foundation for Massive…0
  7. 7Black Byrd (1973)Black Byrd (1973)Released 1 Jan 1973Teaming up with producer Larry Mizell, veteran hard-bop trumpeter Donald Byrd pioneered the sun-drenched crossover sound of jazz-funk. With infectious vocal chants, flute accents and smooth wah-wah guitar grooves, Black Byrd became Blue Note's bestselling album by embracing the joyful sound of…0
  8. 8School Days (1976)School Days (1976)Released 1 Jan 1976Stanley Clarke elevated the electric bass from the rhythm section into a commanding lead voice. On the iconic title track, Clarke's thunderous slap-bass technique and ringing chordal strums drive a relentless, muscular funk-rock groove that rocks with arena-level swagger.0
  9. 9Mint Jams (1982)Mint Jams (1982)Released 1 Jan 1982Recorded live in Tokyo in 1982, this Japanese jazz-fusion landmark is a marvel of precision, buoyant energy and pristine musicianship. Issei Noro's bright guitar melodies, Tetsuo Sakurai's popping slap bass and Akira Jimbo's metronomic drumming deliver irresistible city-pop optimism with…0
  10. 10Everybody Loves the Sunshine (2016)Everybody Loves the Sunshine (2016)Released 1 Jan 2016Vibraphonist Roy Ayers created the ultimate warm-weather soul-jazz soundtrack. Muted synthesizer chords, humming electric piano and Ayers's shimmering vibraphone lines drift over an effortless, slow-motion drum beat, capturing the relaxed haze of a New York summer block party.0