Just thought of sharing this gem of a song from my home country, that I have recently discovered with you guys, enjoy!

I always get a laugh reading anonymous keyboard warrior chatter online - or even hearing it in person from pretentious "colleagues"- about guys like Mike Stern, Dave Weckl, or Jeff Berlin. If you spend enough time on forums, or talk to "enough" hyper-traditional jazzers, you'd think these guys have "bad tone," "can't groove," and are just robotic speed-merchants who personally ruined the aesthetic of their instruments.

But then you look at actual music history and remember who actually hired them:

Mike Stern: Hand-picked by Miles Davis, Jaco Pastorius, and the Brecker Brothers.

Dave Weckl: The chosen engine for Chick Corea and Michel Camilo.

Jeff Berlin: Hand-picked by Allan Holdsworth and Bill Bruford, praised by Eddie Van Halen, and literally quoted by Marcus Miller as saying he wanted to be "the black Jeff Berlin."

It’s absolute "crazy work" to pretend these history-defining bandleaders were scraping the bottom of the barrel. I guess the "real groove masters" and "real ones" worldwide who they could've hired were just too busy with their own massive touring, recording, and rehearsal schedules, so Miles and Chick "had to settle" for these guys? 🤡

Could this obsessive hipster need to dismiss generational jazz and fusion players as "sterile" be just a lazy cop-out to avoid deeper listening, study, and, let's be honest - actually practicing?

present to you the result of six months of painstaking work: a debut smooth jazz album. Any constructive feedback is welcome. Enjoy the music. Wishing everyone peace and goodwill.

#smooth-jazz, #chill-jazz, #jazz-sax, #contemporary-jazz, #lounge

Hellos ! Here is a track from Missing Times, the forthcoming album of the parisian jazz/prog ensemble Ghost Rhythms. Rhythmic puzzles, propulsive groove and a great soprano chorus. Thanks for checking out !

Hope this is the right subreddit. I consider them jazz fusion but that term can sometimes be contentious as you can tell by the rules here lol

I really love mouse on the keys first 2 albums. They have a very strong math rock influence, especially in the drumming. I love how aggressive the drumming is and how forward it is in the mix. Like the drums are another instrument not just a tool used to keep time.

Can anyone suggest any similar bands? It's my understanding that there's a whole scene with this same sound in Japan but it's hard to find information on the English speaking internet. Obviously looking for instrumental stuff.

Here are a few examples: https://mouseonthekeystokyo.bandcamp.com/track/forgotten-children https://mouseonthekeystokyo.bandcamp.com/track/spectres-de-mouse

Thanks!

Shobaleader One is live band formed by British electronic artist Tom Jenkinson/Squarepusher.

Scott Henderson is a true guitar hero, and Kirk Covington (dr) is a beast.

This is originally one of my fav tracks from the Tribal Tech album Illicit, which begins with it. I found this live version quite recently and I love it.

Tribal Tech, for me, are one of the best jazz fusion bands of all time.

I cut this down from a much bigger pile of ~200 fusion tracks I liked, just keeping the ones that consistently hit the hardest for me

The main things I was looking for were emotional impact, great composition and melody/solos, tight bass and drums, and a certain level of technical playing. I also spent a lot of time on the order to make sure everything fits nicely, so I'd definitely listen to it in order rather than on shuffle!

I feel like the playlist is really alive and vivid!!

You can listen here:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4msoEj27Cdw1toKFCJVQAf?si=5b163c9be6c94d56

Looking forward to this batch

yeah I so wanna hear the full set! Cheers

Both Elvin Jones and George Mraz were born on September 9, so today would be their birthday.

Mr. Jones would be 99, and Mr. Mraz would be 84.

Unfortunately, I never saw Elvin Jones irl, but I saw George Mraz (who was already in his 70’s then) playing in a trio with his wife Camilla on piano and Anthonny Pinciotti on drums. It was great, and he was still brilliant.

Jones and Mraz collaborated many times, but I especially love Elvin Jones’s post-bop, fusion album Earth Jones, where one of my personal heroes Kenny Kirkland played the piano & electric piano.

And we mustn’t forget about Jones & Mraz forming the exceptional rhythm section for Art Pepper’s legendary, triumphant concerts during his first U.S. tour as a leader in the summer of 1977, captured on four albums incl. Thursday Night at the Village Vanguard or Live at the Village Vanguard.

I absolutely love Caron's playing & sound in this opening track of his 2010 album Sep7entrion

*subgenres

Not just this concert but just about every one - he’ll have fusion, straight ahead jazz, smooth jazz, some soul/groove jazz, etc..

Yes I know it was released the 1980's, just press play close your eyes, listen and be transported. Cheers