[wavefunction]

Had good success with my last thread about good Bach recordings, so here's a try to get some good fusion albums recommended, with focus on good recordings sound quality wise. Generally in this genre the musicians are top notch but the recordings are not always as good.

EDIT: Just to avoid confusions since "fusion" might be ambiguous, I'm talking about Jazz Fusion. Some people might call it jazz-rock other jazz-fusion but basically we are talking about the same things. I'll just call it fusion. END EDIT.

I'll start with some of my own..

First up:
Vital Tech Tones 1 http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p...0:fcfexqqjldde and Vital Tech Tones 2 http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p...0:gnfuxq9kldje

These two albums features Scott Henderson, Victor Wooten and Steve Smith. Awesome performances, lots of room for their individual virtuoso to shine through. Overall the recording sounds great, not exactly audiophile though - I find sometimes the drums get a bit muddy and "rock" sounding. Slightly bass heavy on my DT880 if that tells you something. Still highly recommended for anyone that want to enjoy some truly great musicians jamming out some nice fusion in the studio.

Second up:
Dave Weckl Band - Perpetual Motion http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p...0:hiftxqtaldae

Dave Weckl on drums, often the drummer of choice for Chick Corea. Other than Weckl himself there's saxophone(Brandon Field), bass (Tom Kennedy) and synthesizer (Steve Weingart). Some great jamming here, in quite different styles. The drum tracks on this album are great! Overall feel of the recording is a tight mix.

Third up:
Tribal Tech - Thick http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p...0:kxfyxqtdldae

Tribal Tech with Scott Henderson on guitar and Gary Willis on bass have made some truly great fusion tracks. Thick is one of my favorite albums with them. SQ wise the bass is my favorite - smooth and articulate fretless bass. Drums are rendered beautifully clean (ok the snare is a bit rocky but to each his own). Check out the track "Slick", sounds like a tribute to Jaco Pastorius - reminiscent of Teen Town with Weather Report. I highly recommend this album.

I'll stop now and see if someone else have recommendations, then I'll fill in some more.

 

[Spyro]

Yea, you list some great ones.

I was going to mention Tribal Tech's "Primal Tracks"

(anybody out there into intrumental rock with a hard edge to it these guys absolutely smoke! Scott Henderson and Gary Willis are monsters on guitar and bass).

Weckl.....no doubt, just about anything from him.

Metro, "Metrocafe" : Fantastic fusion/c-jazz cd.

Mike Stern has some good stuff

 

[wavefunction]

I'll mention:
Chick Corea - Secret Agent (1978)
http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Agent-C...3387682&sr=8-1
Chick Corea on the rhodes and minimoog, superb recording - audiophile material. The fretless bass on this record is some of the smoothest warmest bass I've ever heard. And the moog.. simply awesome.

 

[wavefunction]

Back with more recommendations

Allan Holdsworth - Sand (1987)
http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p...0:0ifpxq85ld0e

Allan playing the "synthaxe", as allmusic writes "a guitar that has the tonal and sonic possibilities of the synthesizer". It is an intriguing sound, something like a mix of guitar, synthesizer and horn. Great recording, top notch studio sound.

Allan Holdsworth - Secrets (1989)
http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p...0:aifpxq85ld0e

A masterpiece. Truly amazing performances and great production and SQ. Some of the absolute best fusion I've ever heard. Chord progressions, melodies, composition.. all superb. SynthAxe is a damn cool instrument!

 

[Dr.Love]

Herbie Hancock - Thrust

 

[Dr.Love]

Herbie Hancock - Head Hunters

 

[Dr.Love]

Those albums are a good time, enjoy!