Jean Luc Ponty - Enigmatic Ocean or Mystical Adventures so underrated. Mahavishnu Orchestra’s Inner Mounting Flame is my all time favorite jazz-fusion record.
My favorite jazz fusion album is blow by blow by Jeff beck. I don’t consider it underrated, but it’s got a lot of sentimental value. Very guitar heavy record but the bass playing and the drums are unreal. Scatterbrain is my favorite track.
I found out many years later, that Richard Bailey, the drummer was 19 at the time of recording. Very few musicians on any instrument show the maturity he does at that age - all ears.
Bruh! To your point... At 9 years old, as a repercussion for doing something I shouldn't have, I had to stay behind while everyone else went to the Saturday afternoon cinema. I distinctly remember discovering the joys of: Billy Cobham Brazilian Dorian Dream Mahavishnu Weather Report - Heavy Weather Herbie Hancock - Thrust At home left by myself, (well the cat was there and she purred along to the music!) I discovered music which changed my life, my ears, my mind to this day! Thank you to my wonderful open minded mum! EDIT: Just recalled that I was afraid that I would get in even more trouble if I didn't handle her vinyls carefully, so it took me forever carefully sliding each one out of the sleeve, and on to the platter, and doing the reverse when the sides were done. :) Edit of the edit...: Just recalled also discovering Brand X, then later in life as my musical tastes continued to expand, Phil Collins (Genesis), Neil Peart's brother were in this band.
@@dcuss7294 Alan Holdsworth: his albums as leader, and guesting with others--JLP, Gong, Tony Williams, UK, even Level 42... AND Bill Bruford's "One Of A Kind" album!
Lenny White, Venutian Summer. "Prince of the Sea", messes me up every time I hear it. The dueling solos between Larry Coreyll and Al Di Meola are sublime.
I need to check that out…ive had that recording forever-all of lenny’s stuff-but never really dug into it. Didnt know there was a guitar-off between coryell and dimeola! Thnx for the tip.
@ Wonderful! Yes! I was fortunate to witness Allan in performance many times over the years. Every combo always tremendously inspiring. Such a humble man he was also. Great sense of humor. He is missed dearly.
Moroccan Roll my favorite....saw them at Great S.E. Music Hall with my buddy Mac of Jesus Lizard fame in 79 I think. Nice video Kenny... takes me back.
True -- Spectrum WASN'T underrated, at least to those, like myself @ the time, who knew @ the time. Same for Herbie's HEADHUNTERS, and particularly Chameleon, IMO the most powerful musical composition of all time. Yeah Splash from On the Corner is also brilliant. Back to Herbie: to anyone who ISN'T aware of the track Shekere and Chameleon.. HIT THAT SEARCH BUTTON NOW!!
@@ianbuxton1730 😀Tell you how popular some Fusion songs were...I remember dancing to the 45 RPM of Herbie's "Chameleon" at house parties. Yes, it was that popular. I played in a Fusion band back in '77/'78 who would play "Freeway Jam," "School Days," along with several original Fusion songs written by the band at High School Graduation parties and talent shows. It cracks me up just thinking about all the admiration we received as teens playing Jazz and Jazz Fusion Songs of that era.
I bought Mwandishi album when it came out but probably have not listened to it in 40 + years. Which will be momentarily rectified, as I just checked to see that I still have it. So glad I keep my albums in alphabetical order. I value your opinions as they are quite in harmony with my own. Thank you for your time and effort.
Miles Davis' Jack Johnson was a particular favorite of our gang in the early 70s!! Played it all the time! That chugging groove on side 2 is just unbeatable. Like Jack!
Kenny, your musical taste is excellent. These artists will never be bettered, I have enjoyed them all since I was a teenager, I’m seventy now and these recordings still sound fresh and vital today. I’m pleased to say currently, there are some very talented young players making it work in a very demanding environment, they have been inspired by those great guys who trail blazed before them. Best wishes to you from the UK
I appreciate that, thank you very much. It's my goal to explore some of the more current jazz musicians in 2025. Thank you very much for watching from the UK.
As a big Metheny fan, so wonderful to see his debut album featured as a runner-up in your video for the most under-rated record. I couldn't agree more. He was only 21 years old when he did this record with Pastorius and Moss. Will check out that Hancock album as I amnot familiar with it at all. Great vid!
Glad you mentioned Joni. I think Jaco did some of his best work playing with her. Her songwriting seemed to leave just the right spaces for his playing to shine.
@@kennysaudiophilerecordreviews Shadows and Light concert footage seeing young Jaco, Pat, Lyle, Don Alias and Michael Brecker, all these years later realizing it was a stage of musical giants.
Thanks, as always, for the video, Kenny. Have you heard “Timeless,” with John Abercrombie, Jan Hammer, and Jack DeJohnette, and the first Gateway album, with John, Jack, and Dave Holland? Of all of “fusion” guitar players, I think John Abercrombie is the most under-appreciated. Along with Tony Williams’ original Lifetime, Gateway was as close as jazz got to a power trio group.
When Jimi Hendrix died, he was planning with Gil Evans to record an album of his music. Evans continued the project with John Abercrombie as guitarist (whose name was misspelled as "Ambercumbie") If you are a Gil Evans fan, his later works were dense and very progressive.
JL Ponty live recording from 1973 with Frank Zappa is excellent - Dupree's Paradise. His solo is the standout. George Duke is also excellent here. ua-cam.com/video/qr6mTloYJJs/v-deo.html
@@dlsamsonMy 2¢: I think successful real, original, vintage British progressive is a pretty limited club. Yes, King Crimson, EL&P, Genesis, & Gentle Giant. Some people add kinda more experimental stuff like Soft Machine, Pink Floyd, Shadowfax, Gong, Mike Oldfield, Stomu Yamashta & his Go project-which had Steve Winwood & Al DiMeola guesting, for examples, but I don't think so. Brand X seems to've been the only Brit overtly American-style fusion group, tho Isotope came close with a couple of their tunes. It can be difficult to categorize or lump everything predominantly instrumental into one term, like Automatic Man's only 2 albums can literally be put into almost every ethnic, stylistic, & geographic descriptive including Hendrixian. 🤔
@@wynhughes9072 Man, "The Grand Wazoo" is my favourite Zappa album, on the instrumental, jazz fusion side, "Apostrophe" also, in a more traditional form, I shouldn't say that about any album from him, with lyrics, and then a third group is "Uncle Meat", on the avant-garde, concrete form....
This stuff is invaluable, Kenny. I'm so glad I found this channel. You really are helping me to know deeper stuff about people I haven't heard ALL these artists have done. ALSO the people who left comments have given lots of advice which is so helpful.
Kenny is so cool. As a new jazz fan I love hearing the opinions of an experienced collector and learning more about the music I've come to love. Thanks for posting Kenny.
@@angelstrawn5493 One of the albums I still play a lot is the live album Flora and Airto made “ Three Way Mirror” with Kei Akagi on keys, Joe Farrell on sax and Mark Egan and Randy Tico on bass. Strong throughout. This was the last recording ever with Joe Farrell.
Kenny…I love the passion you feel about this music. Keep it up! Nowadays we need more true listeners. When I was younger we’d get several people together and listen with minimum comments. Our comments were always saved for the end of the piece and were apropos the sounds. That’s how to listen. I can picture you and your friends doing the same.
You took me back to the 70s! I was a little girl and my brother was 10 years older than me, and he had so many of those albums. I remember staring at the Bitches Brew album cover and giggling at the “bad word” in the title😊 and being fascinated by the artwork. And I’d forgotten about On the Corner, which he also had, and I thought the album cover was funny. But, oh, my goodness! Light as a Feather. He had that too, and I loved Flora Purim’s voice. That’s all still good music. I have to check out some of the other albums you mentioned that I’m unfamiliar with. Thank you for sharing this music.
Have you heard "Joyous Lake" by Pat Martino? To me it is the most underrated fusion album. It is kick-ass fusion that has a very unique sound unlike anything else that Pat ever did. Definitely one of my top ten favorite albums! Also underrated are three albums by Bill Connors: "Step It", "Double Up", and "Assembler".
@@michaelw.4434 my favorite was Transformation (The Speed of My favorite album of his is Tranformation (The Speed of Love). Sky Church Hymn # 9 is amazing.
@@kennysaudiophilerecordreviews I concur! I was fortunate enough to see him perform live twice! With his Lifetime band and The V.S.O.P. Quintet. Keep up the good work Sir!
Kenny...I must admit, as a youngster growing up, I wasn't much of a Miles fan. "In A Silent Way" even more than "Bitches Brew" opened my ears (so to speak)....Strong love to you too Kenny... thanks for what you do.
Love this video! So glad I found this channel. While maybe not underrated, I do love a lot of the Japanese Jazz Fusion. My personal fav is Mimiko Kikuchi - All Right from 1982. I recently got into collecting records and playing vinyl instead of just streaming everything and this was the first album I bought. .
Thank you, liked and subscribed. I bought some of those albums in the late 70’s, especially the Herbie albums, and I remember I didn’t “get it” ! I was a rocker and the album that turned me on to fusion was Romantic Warrior by Return To Forever. Changed my life.
Changed my life too! Aside from that, I'm amazed at how many of the albums in this video I have owned, including both Flora Purim albums. Windows by Chick Corea! Windows 77 > Windows 95
Hey, Two other Herbie Hancock albums I really enjoy are Flood(live) and Mr Hands. Great video btw, made my morning as I was listening to Joni Mitchell's Shadows and Light.
I find the information and most critically a look at the albums themselves is a godsend in discovering future purchases for my inherited rock and jazz fusion collection. My friend would be pleased to see his collection being enjoyed. As a new subscriber I can't thank you enough for showing me what I should be looking for. I learned early to know the players and I appreciate you including their names. Great work! I have a long way to go.
Completely agree with your number 1 pick. An absolutely amazing LP. I have good memories listening to Bitches Brew on my walkman walking central park at night...surreal and sublime all at the same time.
My mind was kind of blown, a couple of years ago, by some video of Metheny and Pastorius playing live together in the early 70s, which eventually led me to Bright Size Life. It's a great piece of work, some of my favorite work by either player.
I remember asking for the Man Child album for Christmas in 1975. I was 13-years old. That was the start of my own record collection, so I didn’t have to borrow my older brother and sister’s albums. 😊
Kenny, great podcast. It's wonderful to see someone (re) introduce folks to these great masterpieces of music and especially the fusion genre. Kudos to you!
Really enjoyed your video . I love fusion jass . 😊 off ramp , man child . On the corner . I will be lookin into Flora Purim and Mwandishi . Thank you until next time 😇
Brother Kenny, thanks so much for giving some more love for Jazz Fusion! Your digging deep into your huge collection and finding Fusion lp's that I have either forgotten or have never heard of before. Herbie Hancock, that 'Mwandishi' album is one I'm not familiar with, so I will be definitely checking this out! Thanks also for giving my fav Pat Metheny some extra props as well. As always, Peace and Love to you my brother!
Forgot to add also that the Swahili word 'Mwandishi' was the adopted name for Herbie Hancock and it means 'Composer'. Forgive me if you already mentioned this.
Kenny is speaking my language. This is my first view of the channel, love the info and respect your massive vinyl collection, gotta love album cover art. Thank you.
Kenny I love your pick for #1. Mwandishi is truly a great early fusion album. The transition from Ostinato to You Know When You Get There is so sweet! Could hang out with you & talk for hours! Thanks
Yes!!! Together with "In a silent way", my two favourite Miles' albums, "On the corner", in particular, is so very danceable, a great way to do some hard training on it!!!!!!
Great choices! A couple more: Joe Zawinul, Zawinul (double quartet with Herbie); Julian Priester, Love, Love (with members of the Mwandushi band). Love the early '70s stuff, it was so wide open to everything.
Coryell's " Eleventh House " is an amazing LP. ONE of my underrated fusion recordings is Miles' " Live Evil " . I would play it and people would get freaked out and scared...love that LP.... Great video.
Kenny!! Hey brother!!! Great job here my friend!! The fact that you talk extensively about Herbie's Mwandishi band and record(s), you deserve RESPECT!!! What an incredible band!!! Mwandishi is one of the ,most overlooked early jazz/rock bands ever. Lenny White told me that it was initially referred to as "Jazz-Rock." The term "fusion" wasn't really around until about 1973-74. Check out "Crossings" by Mwandishi, their second record also on Warner Bros. One thing I wanted to point out about "Children of Forever" that you didn't point out; the great pat Martino is on guitar on two tracks! Herbie Hancock had a group that preceded Mwandishi. When he first left Miles Davis in 1968 he formed a group that recorded two records; "The Prisoner" and "Fat Albert Rotunda." Check those out. These two records directly precede the first "Mwandishi" record and they are fantastic. jazzy, but starting to bring in the funk. By the time you get to "Fat Albert Rotunda" you have a serious groove element coming into Herbie's music in an overt way for the first time that you later see of course in Headhunters. Mwandishi happened in between Herbie's initial sextet/septet and Headhunters. And YES, if you are wondering about that title "Fat Albert Rotunda," Herbie called it that because he was approached by Bill Cosby to compose music for his brand new weekend children's cartoon in 1969 called "Fat Albert and Friends.!!!!! Keep swingin' brother!
I have the Herbie Hancock "Crossings" album and it's very good 👍. You are correct about the great Pat Martin, I should have mentioned him in the video.
@@vbassone little-known origin story for the Fat Albert character... Cosby traveled with Ray Charles' big band as the warm-up act in the early '60s. Lead alto player was a large dude named Albert whose main greeting was the hey, hey hey line. Johnny Coles was the basis of Mumbles, the kid in the hat; again, his conversational style wubus abull aboboubt the xtra syllabubbles...
Kenny….new to your channel and love your enthusiasm and knowledge. I have recently gotten more into jazz and jazz/fusion…the more I listen to and acquire, the more I’m sucked in! I find myself reaching for Spyro Gyra, Metheny, Ritenour, Jeff Lorber, Hancock, Davis, Coltrane, Rollins….on and on….while my rock records gather dust! My journey is still beginning and I’m having a lot of fun.
Wasnt aware of the Jonni Mitchel album!? I know what I'm listening to this afternoon :) excited to listen to a few of these!! Great public service for music lovers!
I'm really impressed by the breadth of your jazz/fusion knowledge. You are right about Bitches Brew and On the Corner as a matter of fact you are right about every album and artist you mentioned that I am familiar with I am definitely going to check out the albums that you recommended that I am not familiar with. Two thumbs way up! Keep up the great work brother!
I wish I saw this video before I went vinyl shopping. I saw Mwandishi today at the record store. You got me hoping it's still there tomorrow Great selections
I'm glad you mentioned Thrust… one of my top 5 albums of all time in any genre, and I think a much more interesting album than Head Hunters! Sure, "Chameleon" is a classic, but this one has "Butterfly" AND "Actual Proof"… hard to beat. Great video! There were a few on here I wasn't familiar with and I'm definitely going to check them out.
I will always say that "Romantic Warrior" by Return to Forever is the "cleanest" recording of a fusion group ever. My friends and I would use it to adjust our stereo systems. I am not saying it is the best fusion album eventhough it is pretty good. 🎩🎼🎩
First timer, great video Kenny! I've seen Metheny a few times including last year and his son was selling t-shirts at the venue! It was funny cuz no one knew till after the show and before the show he told me he was backstage with Pat (his dad) and the phenomenal Steve Hackett as Steve came to one of his shows. Also, I saw Pat with Joni, Jaco, and Lyle. You gave me some great music to check out and I appreciate that. I'm still learning at 67!
Caldera!! The Dreamer album is one of my top 5! Underrated and pretty well unknown! Strunz went on to play nylon string with Strunz&Farah… awesome guitar player.
As a mostly rock musician I greatly appreciated the late sixties early seventies records from Miles Davis, Tony Williams, Return to Forever, Mahavishnu, ,Herbie Hanocock' Zappa (whatever genre he resided in) Weather Report, Jeff Beck, etc. Interesting seeing many of the same musicians flourishing or making cameos in many of these great albums!! Lucky to do sound for Larry Coryell late in his life, and as a solo performer he was just great too!
Those are excellent choices as the work of black artists seemed to often get overlooked for their contributions in fusion. I would also add Norman Connors for the great "Dance of Magic" featuring the amazing Stanley Clarke tune "Blue" with Hancock , Airto and others, which jams so hard I can never listen to it once. That being said, I'd love to see you explore the R&B/Funk side of fusion with great artists such as Lonnie Liston Smith, George Duke, Eddie Henderson, Roy Ayers, Patrice Rushen and many other unherald greats. Thanks.
Thank you SO much for that video. Although I had previously heard a couple of the albums you discussed, I wrote every title down on a list and I am going to devote some serious time to listen to them all.
Kenny, I feel like we have the same record collection ! I’m 65 and am very familiar with all the records you talk about. It’s a nice trip back to my teen years. Thanks !
You forgot to mention Lonnie Liston Smith! Astral Travelling and Expansions are absolute masterpieces. Also, Sun Ra was creating Jazz fusion before it even became a thing. Great picks though! Keep up the excellent content. 👏🏾
I saw Miles in ‘85 at the paramount Seattle. Even though he was only half there that evening I treasure that experience. I’ve often thought about how repeated performance might be numbing for a creative musician. Miles will live forever.
Mahavishnu Orchestra, “Vision Of The Emerald Beyond”, Miles Davis “Amanda”, George Duke, “Feel’, Weather Report “Tale Spinning”. Love your taste, keep the channel going.. Alphonso Johnson is underrated.. I also think the African Fusion of Salif Kieta is worthy of note “Soto”, “Amen” In conjunction with Joe Zawinul.
Great video Kenny & some excellent choices Selecting 2 underrated jazz fusion albums that definitely deserve more love Eddie Henderson: Realization Terumasa Hino: Hi-Nology
Brand X - Masques or Unorthodox Behavior Steps Ahead - Magnetic Tribal Tech - Face First Lydian Collective - Adventure Shrek Is Love These are just a few favorites of mine that I thought I'd add. Also, you mentioned some great albums on here.
Jean Luc Ponty - Enigmatic Ocean or Mystical Adventures so underrated. Mahavishnu Orchestra’s Inner Mounting Flame is my all time favorite jazz-fusion record.
😊
@@JayRuybal Visions of the Emerald Beyond my favorite Mahavishnu album.
Jean Luc Ponty - Aurora!
Mystical Adventures is amazing.
I add JLP's Imaginary Voyage...
My favorite jazz fusion album is blow by blow by Jeff beck. I don’t consider it underrated, but it’s got a lot of sentimental value. Very guitar heavy record but the bass playing and the drums are unreal. Scatterbrain is my favorite track.
constipated duck is nuts
I love Wired
A Bit easy Listening but Really really Good
I found out many years later, that Richard Bailey, the drummer was 19 at the time of recording. Very few musicians on any instrument show the maturity he does at that age - all ears.
@@MikeO-dr7hn how about Tal Wilkenfeld? she was 17-18 when she toured with Beck
Blow by Blow by Jeff Beck with the incomparable Max Middleton on keys
I agree, it's a great album 👌 👍 👏
I thought that was Jan Hammer?
Listen to all that stuff in the 70's.
Then I heard Weather Report's Heavy Weather. Changed everything!
Bruh!
To your point...
At 9 years old, as a repercussion for doing something I shouldn't have, I had to stay behind while everyone else went to the Saturday afternoon cinema.
I distinctly remember discovering the joys of:
Billy Cobham
Brazilian Dorian Dream
Mahavishnu
Weather Report - Heavy Weather
Herbie Hancock - Thrust
At home left by myself, (well the cat was there and she purred along to the music!) I discovered music which changed my life, my ears, my mind to this day!
Thank you to my wonderful open minded mum!
EDIT: Just recalled that I was afraid that I would get in even more trouble if I didn't handle her vinyls carefully, so it took me forever carefully sliding each one out of the sleeve, and on to the platter, and doing the reverse when the sides were done. :)
Edit of the edit...: Just recalled also discovering Brand X, then later in life as my musical tastes continued to expand, Phil Collins (Genesis), Neil Peart's brother were in this band.
Yeah Moroccan Roll is not only a cunning pun, it's also a good album.
Have uu heard Between the Thighs from WR's Tale Spinnin' album? If nor, don't hesitate!!
@@ianbuxton1730 Gotta check that out! Love the title! 😋
@@dcuss7294 Alan Holdsworth: his albums as leader, and guesting with others--JLP, Gong, Tony Williams, UK, even Level 42...
AND Bill Bruford's "One Of A Kind" album!
Romantic Warrior- RTF
Excellent album but I think it is highly rated
Killer album maybe my Favorite
The absolute best! Every now and then I get a hankering to hear that album and I’m so glad I have it in my digital collection.👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Stanley Clarke’s 2nd album.
@@cycleoflife565 And his first solo album.
Lenny White, Venutian Summer. "Prince of the Sea", messes me up every time I hear it. The dueling solos between Larry Coreyll and Al Di Meola are sublime.
YES Sir! Those two dueling was awesome! Pure FIRE!!!!
I need to check that out…ive had that recording forever-all of lenny’s stuff-but never really dug into it. Didnt know there was a guitar-off between coryell and dimeola! Thnx for the tip.
💯
@@LisaBellaDonnaMusic 😊I can hear this record endlessly. A masterpiece.
Thank you so much for pointing me to this. BRILLIANT!!!
Tony Williams Lifetime, Believe it.
Allan Holdsworth making some serious history on that. Such a real live/raw record!
@@LisaBellaDonnaMusic Oh yes!👍
@@LisaBellaDonnaMusic Saw him once in a small venue. Chad Wackerman on drums. Just excellent!
@ Wonderful! Yes! I was fortunate to witness Allan in performance many times over the years. Every combo always tremendously inspiring. Such a humble man he was also. Great sense of humor. He is missed dearly.
MY FAVORITE FUSION ALBUM EVER! I have an autographed copy of it on vinyl (by Holdsworth)
Spectrum. Great video my friend. Keep up the great work. Love your taste.
I appreciate that, thank you 😊
This guy really knows his stuff. Subscribed.
Thank you 😊
Brand X - Unorthodox Behaviour
Moroccan Roll my favorite....saw them at Great S.E. Music Hall with my buddy Mac of Jesus Lizard fame in 79 I think. Nice video Kenny... takes me back.
Absolutlely! Love' em all, but those first two are exceptional. 'Is There Anything About' is gorgeous. Mood infused.
Thank you! Completely agree and the reason I became a musician.
Phil Collins in Brand X…so good
💯
Billy Cobham Spectrum
💯💯💯💯👍🏽👍🏽
I would never classify "Spectrum" as an underrated release.
True -- Spectrum WASN'T underrated, at least to those, like myself @ the time, who knew @ the time.
Same for Herbie's HEADHUNTERS, and particularly Chameleon, IMO the most powerful musical composition of all time.
Yeah Splash from On the Corner is also brilliant.
Back to Herbie: to anyone who ISN'T aware of the track Shekere and Chameleon.. HIT THAT SEARCH BUTTON NOW!!
@@ianbuxton1730 😀Tell you how popular some Fusion songs were...I remember dancing to the 45 RPM of Herbie's "Chameleon" at house parties. Yes, it was that popular. I played in a Fusion band back in '77/'78 who would play "Freeway Jam," "School Days," along with several original Fusion songs written by the band at High School Graduation parties and talent shows. It cracks me up just thinking about all the admiration we received as teens playing Jazz and Jazz Fusion Songs of that era.
@@nycfunk but it should’ve been included in this list. Bright size life, thrust, those are not underrated. Those are very popular jazz fusion records.
Rick Beato really must interview you because you deserve to reach a much larger audience and that audience deserves your far-reaching musical insights
I want to sincerely thank you for your kind words...Rick Beato is the man...he's the best by far.
I bought Mwandishi album when it came out but probably have not listened to it in 40 + years. Which will be momentarily rectified, as I just checked to see that I still have it. So glad I keep my albums in alphabetical order. I value your opinions as they are quite in harmony with my own. Thank you for your time and effort.
I was at Berklee 73-77 and just about all these albums and artists were on my turntable. Helped shape me as a musician. Thanks...!
Thank you very much for your comments and watching 😊 ✌️
Miles Davis' Jack Johnson was a particular favorite of our gang in the early 70s!! Played it all the time! That chugging groove on side 2 is just unbeatable. Like Jack!
Still listen to Tribute to Jack Johnson.
@@willhunt7355 Yesternow 👍🏼
Jack Johnson is my favorite Miles album.
Kenny, your musical taste is excellent. These artists will never be bettered, I have enjoyed them all since I was a teenager, I’m seventy now and these recordings still sound fresh and vital today. I’m pleased to say currently, there are some very talented young players making it work in a very demanding environment, they have been inspired by those great guys who trail blazed before them. Best wishes to you from the UK
I appreciate that, thank you very much. It's my goal to explore some of the more current jazz musicians in 2025. Thank you very much for watching from the UK.
so happy to see you mention thrust actual proof one of my favorite songs of all time
As a big Metheny fan, so wonderful to see his debut album featured as a runner-up in your video for the most under-rated record. I couldn't agree more. He was only 21 years old when he did this record with Pastorius and Moss. Will check out that Hancock album as I amnot familiar with it at all. Great vid!
👍 although my favorite is “Travels”👏
And in only 2 days……that all the time ECM gave musicians to record albums.
Glad you mentioned Joni. I think Jaco did some of his best work playing with her. Her songwriting seemed to leave just the right spaces for his playing to shine.
They really performed great together along with Pat Metheny.
@@kennysaudiophilerecordreviews Shadows and Light concert footage seeing young Jaco, Pat, Lyle, Don Alias and Michael Brecker, all these years later realizing it was a stage of musical giants.
Thanks, as always, for the video, Kenny. Have you heard “Timeless,” with John Abercrombie, Jan Hammer, and Jack DeJohnette, and the first Gateway album, with John, Jack, and Dave Holland? Of all of “fusion” guitar players, I think John Abercrombie is the most under-appreciated. Along with Tony Williams’ original Lifetime, Gateway was as close as jazz got to a power trio group.
Thank you very much for the super thanks donation 😊. I have not heard of that album, I appreciate your recommendation 😊 ✌️
Totally! Exactly my picks as well
When Jimi Hendrix died, he was planning with Gil Evans to record an album of his music. Evans continued the project with John Abercrombie as guitarist (whose name was misspelled as "Ambercumbie")
If you are a Gil Evans fan, his later works were dense and very progressive.
Kenny is a gold mine of great music knowledge and history. Thank you!!!
Thank you very much 😊 ✌️
@kennysaudiophilerecordreviews Yes he DEFINITELY SEEMS so.
Sadly, not such good taste around "these days", I fear.
Ponty- live in Hamburg live recording
Lenny White- Venusian summer
YES!!!!!
JL Ponty live recording from 1973 with Frank Zappa is excellent - Dupree's Paradise. His solo is the standout. George Duke is also excellent here.
ua-cam.com/video/qr6mTloYJJs/v-deo.html
My favorite underrated jazz/fusion/funk band is War. Their Platinum jazz album is fantastic! As well as their Jazz series albums.
Great choice 👌 👍 👏 🎶
The World is a Ghetto is one of the greatest albums of the 70s. Period!
No doubt, it's a great album 👌 👏 🎶
@@kennysaudiophilerecordreviewsEddie Fisher & The Next One Hundred Years.
BB Dickerson.. The man who made me give up piano to pick up a bass.
Bruford's One of a Kind is one of my favorites! You can't beat Bruford-Holdsworth-Stewart-Berlin!!!
Holdsworth's BRILLIANT on the Nucleus album BELLADONNA.
((Yeah, Herbie's Mwandishi album's tasty as well.)
Love those three Bruford albums. Arguably underrated although it might be more Prog than Jazz Fusion
@@dlsamsonMy 2¢: I think successful real, original, vintage British progressive is a pretty limited club. Yes, King Crimson, EL&P, Genesis, & Gentle Giant. Some people add kinda more experimental stuff like Soft Machine, Pink Floyd, Shadowfax, Gong, Mike Oldfield, Stomu Yamashta & his Go project-which had Steve Winwood & Al DiMeola guesting, for examples, but I don't think so. Brand X seems to've been the only Brit overtly American-style fusion group, tho Isotope came close with a couple of their tunes. It can be difficult to categorize or lump everything predominantly instrumental into one term, like Automatic Man's only 2 albums can literally be put into almost every ethnic, stylistic, & geographic descriptive including Hendrixian. 🤔
Word!!
Thanks for mentioning these Greats! Had the Pleasure seeing Bill B/ Patrick Moraz in '84 incredible show
Zappa Hot Rats IMO is the greatest. Most underrated... Maybe something by Coryell.
I’d say it’s not underrated.
Also The Grand Wazoo. Both brilliant albums. I'm a Zappa fan so I'm a bit biased
@@wynhughes9072 Man, "The Grand Wazoo" is my favourite Zappa album, on the instrumental, jazz fusion side, "Apostrophe" also, in a more traditional form, I shouldn't say that about any album from him, with lyrics, and then a third group is "Uncle Meat", on the avant-garde, concrete form....
This stuff is invaluable, Kenny. I'm so glad I found this channel. You really are helping me to know deeper stuff about people I haven't heard ALL these artists have done. ALSO the people who left comments have given lots of advice which is so helpful.
I appreciate that, thank you 😊. I agree that the people in the comment are very knowledgeable.
My playlist increased a lot after watching this video. Thank you very much, sir! Greetings from 🇧🇷.
Thank you very much for taking the time to watch my video ✌️
Same here! Now my high end earbuds go in and time to sample!
Own them all. Agree with you, all incredible albums. Thanks for this
Thank you very much for watching ✌️
Kenny is so cool. As a new jazz fan I love hearing the opinions of an experienced collector and learning more about the music I've come to love. Thanks for posting Kenny.
I appreciate that, thank you very much 😊 ✌️
In a Silent Way changed my life. Great fusion review. I didn't know Mwandishi. Turn on!
In a Silent Way is a great album 👌 👏...I hope that you enjoy Mwandishi ✌️
Same here. It's my absolute favorite record and I never tire of listening to it.
Yes, probably my favourite of Miles', it's always pure pleasure to listen to and I sometimes dance to it!!!!!
Mwandishi is one of my favorite records in my collection (over 1000). I am so happy to see someone else appreciate this classic.
It's a great album for sure 👌...thank you very much for watching ✌️
I absolutely agree with your assessment of Flora Purim. I bought all of her albums on vinyl. Her voice is just heavenly.
Magnificent voice and performer 🎶
@@angelstrawn5493 I love her voice even when she is talking. Have seen her live 4-5 times starting in the late 70’s. A wonderful lady.
I seem to gravitate to the Flora albums that had George Duke on keys. He wrote a lot of the material.
@@angelstrawn5493 One of the albums I still play a lot is the live album Flora and Airto made “ Three Way Mirror” with Kei Akagi on keys, Joe Farrell on sax and Mark Egan and Randy Tico on bass. Strong throughout. This was the last recording ever with Joe Farrell.
she will sing you right into dreamland
Kenny…I love the passion you feel about this music. Keep it up! Nowadays we need more true listeners. When I was younger we’d get several people together and listen with minimum comments. Our comments were always saved for the end of the piece and were apropos the sounds. That’s how to listen. I can picture you and your friends doing the same.
Thank you for your comments and supporting my channel by watching my video 😊 ✌️
You took me back to the 70s! I was a little girl and my brother was 10 years older than me, and he had so many of those albums. I remember staring at the Bitches Brew album cover and giggling at the “bad word” in the title😊 and being fascinated by the artwork. And I’d forgotten about On the Corner, which he also had, and I thought the album cover was funny. But, oh, my goodness! Light as a Feather. He had that too, and I loved Flora Purim’s voice. That’s all still good music. I have to check out some of the other albums you mentioned that I’m unfamiliar with. Thank you for sharing this music.
Thank you for sharing those memories and
watching my video ✌️
Have you heard "Joyous Lake" by Pat Martino? To me it is the most underrated fusion album. It is kick-ass fusion that has a very unique sound unlike anything else that Pat ever did. Definitely one of my top ten favorite albums! Also underrated are three albums by Bill Connors: "Step It", "Double Up", and "Assembler".
That Pat Martino album is very good 👍 👌 👏 🎶
Also, his last LP before having his brain aneurysm, I believe. And having to relearn to play afterward
That was one of my choices. Check out his slightly different but equally good remake of Joyous Lake on his Stone Blue LP.
McCoy Tyner. Fly With the Wind is one of my favourites.
That is one of my favorite jazz albums 👏
Thanks for the video my man! I'm 63 my all time favorite is HEAD HUNTERS been playing it since 1974 👊🏽
Underated, George Duke, "Feel"
@@paulwbranner6609 My favorite George Duke album. The synth solo on title song Feel one of the best ever.
I thanked George Duke for FEEL when I shook hands with him after a show in San Diego. The smile he shined--' wow! It's a moment I'll never forget!
Yep!
Agreed! Always loved George's work and Feel is a brilliant record!
@@rey1953 George Duke with Frank Zappa is a killer.
So many Greats!...but one I don't see mentioned much is David Sancious, Forest of Feeling's... Awesome Album!!
@@michaelw.4434 my favorite was Transformation (The Speed of
My favorite album of his is Tranformation (The Speed of Love). Sky Church Hymn # 9 is amazing.
@@rey1953Agree with Transformations but is it underated?
Great? Hell yeah! Underrated? Hell yeah!
Excellent choices! I love Tony Williams' Lifetime-Believe It
Tony Williams lifetime was great and he does not get the attention that he deserves in the jazz fusion genre.
@@kennysaudiophilerecordreviews I concur! I was fortunate enough to see him perform live twice! With his Lifetime band and The V.S.O.P. Quintet. Keep up the good work Sir!
Grest great album w Alan Holdsworth
I picked up open Your Eyes w Flora great w Airto
I interviewed him Pat Metheny when this album came out excellent!BSL
A well informed talk about wonderful music. Thank you!!!
Kenny...I must admit, as a youngster growing up, I wasn't much of a Miles fan. "In A Silent Way" even more than "Bitches Brew" opened my ears (so to speak)....Strong love to you too Kenny... thanks for what you do.
Thank you very much, I appreciate that 😊
Love this video! So glad I found this channel. While maybe not underrated, I do love a lot of the Japanese Jazz Fusion. My personal fav is Mimiko Kikuchi - All Right from 1982. I recently got into collecting records and playing vinyl instead of just streaming everything and this was the first album I bought. .
Thank you, liked and subscribed. I bought some of those albums in the late 70’s, especially the Herbie albums, and I remember I didn’t “get it” ! I was a rocker and the album that turned me on to fusion was Romantic Warrior by Return To Forever. Changed my life.
That's a nice album by Return to Forever and a great time for jazz fusion. Thank you very much for subscribing 😊
Changed my life too! Aside from that, I'm amazed at how many of the albums in this video I have owned, including both Flora Purim albums. Windows by Chick Corea! Windows 77 > Windows 95
Mwandishi! I'm right there with you brother. Wow I love your taste. Echoes my own.
Thank you 😊 ✌️
Hey, Two other Herbie Hancock albums I really enjoy are Flood(live) and Mr Hands. Great video btw, made my morning as I was listening to Joni Mitchell's Shadows and Light.
mr hands is amazing
@@b4knowing Definitely! Mr. Hands covers all styles.👍👍
Mr. Hands is in my collection and it's a very good album for sure 👌 👏
I find the information and most critically a look at the albums themselves is a godsend in discovering future purchases for my inherited rock and jazz fusion collection. My friend would be pleased to see his collection being enjoyed. As a new subscriber I can't thank you enough for showing me what I should be looking for. I learned early to know the players and I appreciate you including their names. Great work! I have a long way to go.
Completely agree with your number 1 pick. An absolutely amazing LP. I have good memories listening to Bitches Brew on my walkman walking central park at night...surreal and sublime all at the same time.
Thank you for sharing that cool memory of that amazing album 😊✌️
the videos of Shadows and Light is great! Jaco was the bandleader for Joni on that tour.
I agree, it's cool seeing those legends on stage together, it was a great performance 👏
Love that album
you laid up some great albums..a few I have. I was a Fusion man in the late 70s to 80s. a huge intro to jazz love
Thank you for including both Encounter and Open Your Eyes You Can Fly.
Flora is great 👍 👌 👏
My mind was kind of blown, a couple of years ago, by some video of Metheny and Pastorius playing live together in the early 70s, which eventually led me to Bright Size Life. It's a great piece of work, some of my favorite work by either player.
M & P playing as part of Joni Mitchell's band for the Shadows & Light Tour. Stunning, beautiful. (easily found on YT)
Great overview. I got turned onto Bright Sized Life and Feel in the Fall of 1974. You touched all my old favorites along the way. I'm right with you.
Thank you very much. That is a fantastic album 👌 👏.
Absolutely Kenny!
Go Shadows And Light!
😊😁...Great album 👌 👏
I love all your choices!
Thank you very much 😊
Herbie thrust and man child are two of my favs
I have both and they are great albums, especially Thrust.
The criminally underrated, "Actual Proof" should be a jazz fusion anthem.
Yes on the Corner Miles
I remember asking for the Man Child album for Christmas in 1975. I was 13-years old. That was the start of my own record collection, so I didn’t have to borrow my older brother and sister’s albums. 😊
Secrets is also great, Thrust is my favorite
Kenny, great podcast. It's wonderful to see someone (re) introduce folks to these great masterpieces of music and especially the fusion genre. Kudos to you!
I appreciate that very much, thank you 😊 ✌️
Again your eclectic choices make my choices and monies worth the adventure
Really enjoyed your video . I love fusion jass . 😊 off ramp , man child . On the corner . I will be lookin into Flora Purim and Mwandishi . Thank you until next time 😇
Man Child is great 👍 👌...I hope that you enjoy Flora Purim and Mwandishi ✌️
Brother Kenny, thanks so much for giving some more love for Jazz Fusion! Your digging deep into your huge collection and finding Fusion lp's that I have either forgotten or have never heard of before. Herbie Hancock, that 'Mwandishi' album is one I'm not familiar with, so I will be definitely checking this out! Thanks also for giving my fav Pat Metheny some extra props as well. As always, Peace and Love to you my brother!
Peace and love and I hope that you enjoy the Mwandishi album 🙏 ✌️
Forgot to add also that the Swahili word 'Mwandishi' was the adopted name for Herbie Hancock and it means 'Composer'. Forgive me if you already mentioned this.
I mentioned it in my video 😊
Kenny is speaking my language. This is my first view of the channel, love the info and respect your massive vinyl collection, gotta love album cover art. Thank you.
Thank you for that, I appreciate your comments 😊. Thank you for watching ✌️
damn i already don;t have enough time reading all the books i want and now you are hitting me with all these great records THANK YOU !!!!!
Kenny I love your pick for #1. Mwandishi is truly a great early fusion album. The transition from Ostinato to You Know When You Get There is so sweet!
Could hang out with you & talk for hours! Thanks
Thank you very much ✌️ 😊.
So many great jazz albums...
You been reding my mail.
Peace on earth.
Just found your channel…what great find! I have not listened to Mwandishi in decades…I am going to spin it up now.
Thank you very much for watching my video. I hope that you enjoy the album ✌️
Right on sir great picks
Thank you 😊 ✌️
I love Miles "On The Corner". Great listen.,
My fave
I agree! And the "Complete Sessions" version contains even more great cuts (available on UA-cam).
So do I. For months, I listened to it everyday.
Yes!!! Together with "In a silent way", my two favourite Miles' albums, "On the corner", in particular, is so very danceable, a great way to do some hard training on it!!!!!!
Great choices! A couple more: Joe Zawinul, Zawinul (double quartet with Herbie); Julian Priester, Love, Love (with members of the Mwandushi band). Love the early '70s stuff, it was so wide open to everything.
Coryell's " Eleventh House " is an amazing LP. ONE of my underrated fusion recordings is Miles' " Live Evil " . I would play it and people would get freaked out and scared...love that LP.... Great video.
That is a nice album 👌 👏 👍...thank you for watching ✌️
Live Evil is amazing! Have listened to it many, many times and still pick up something new...
Thanks!
Thank you very much for the super thanks donation, I really appreciate it 🙏 😊
You're the man! Great review and more shopping for me. Mehr einkaufen!
I appreciate that, thank you very much 😊✌️
Mr., clean sure does know this jazz. Will that's why I subscribe.
Kenny!! Hey brother!!! Great job here my friend!! The fact that you talk extensively about Herbie's Mwandishi band and record(s), you deserve RESPECT!!! What an incredible band!!! Mwandishi is one of the ,most overlooked early jazz/rock bands ever. Lenny White told me that it was initially referred to as "Jazz-Rock." The term "fusion" wasn't really around until about 1973-74. Check out "Crossings" by Mwandishi, their second record also on Warner Bros. One thing I wanted to point out about "Children of Forever" that you didn't point out; the great pat Martino is on guitar on two tracks! Herbie Hancock had a group that preceded Mwandishi. When he first left Miles Davis in 1968 he formed a group that recorded two records; "The Prisoner" and "Fat Albert Rotunda." Check those out. These two records directly precede the first "Mwandishi" record and they are fantastic. jazzy, but starting to bring in the funk. By the time you get to "Fat Albert Rotunda" you have a serious groove element coming into Herbie's music in an overt way for the first time that you later see of course in Headhunters. Mwandishi happened in between Herbie's initial sextet/septet and Headhunters. And YES, if you are wondering about that title "Fat Albert Rotunda," Herbie called it that because he was approached by Bill Cosby to compose music for his brand new weekend children's cartoon in 1969 called "Fat Albert and Friends.!!!!! Keep swingin' brother!
I have the Herbie Hancock "Crossings" album and it's very good 👍. You are correct about the great Pat Martin, I should have mentioned him in the video.
@@kennysaudiophilerecordreviews MartinO!. Lol. You are a good brother Kenny! I enjoy your channel.
Sorry for messing up the name of the great Pat Martino 🤣
@@kennysaudiophilerecordreviews you're a good dude Kenny.
@@vbassone little-known origin story for the Fat Albert character...
Cosby traveled with Ray Charles' big band as the warm-up act in the early '60s. Lead alto player was a large dude named Albert whose main greeting was the hey, hey hey line. Johnny Coles was the basis of Mumbles, the kid in the hat; again, his conversational style wubus abull aboboubt the xtra syllabubbles...
Kenny….new to your channel and love your enthusiasm and knowledge. I have recently gotten more into jazz and jazz/fusion…the more I listen to and acquire, the more I’m sucked in! I find myself reaching for Spyro Gyra, Metheny, Ritenour, Jeff Lorber, Hancock, Davis, Coltrane, Rollins….on and on….while my rock records gather dust! My journey is still beginning and I’m having a lot of fun.
Wasnt aware of the Jonni Mitchel album!? I know what I'm listening to this afternoon :) excited to listen to a few of these!! Great public service for music lovers!
Thank you very much...that Joni Mitchell album is great 👍 👌 👏
The live version of Hejira is one of the greatest songs of all time performed flawlessly
I'm really impressed by the breadth of your jazz/fusion knowledge. You are right about Bitches Brew and On the Corner as a matter of fact you are right about every album and artist you mentioned that I am familiar with I am definitely going to check out the albums that you recommended that I am not familiar with. Two thumbs way up! Keep up the great work brother!
I appreciate that 😊 🙏 thank you very much ✌️
I wish I saw this video before I went vinyl shopping. I saw Mwandishi today at the record store. You got me hoping it's still there tomorrow Great selections
😊😁...I hope that you are able to buy it....thank you very much for watching my video ✌️
Thanks for introducing me an overlooked album. Keep up the great work. A new fan from California.
Thank you very much I appreciate that and thanks for watching my video 😊 ✌️
Phenomenal list right here. Great video!
Thank you 😊 ✌️
I'm glad you mentioned Thrust… one of my top 5 albums of all time in any genre, and I think a much more interesting album than Head Hunters! Sure, "Chameleon" is a classic, but this one has "Butterfly" AND "Actual Proof"… hard to beat. Great video! There were a few on here I wasn't familiar with and I'm definitely going to check them out.
I will always say that "Romantic Warrior" by Return to Forever is the "cleanest" recording of a fusion group ever. My friends and I would use it to adjust our stereo systems. I am not saying it is the best fusion album eventhough it is pretty good.
🎩🎼🎩
I would say it's DAMN good and really a masterpiece at this point.
First timer, great video Kenny! I've seen Metheny a few times including last year and his son was selling t-shirts at the venue! It was funny cuz no one knew till after the show and before the show he told me he was backstage with Pat (his dad) and the phenomenal Steve Hackett as Steve came to one of his shows. Also, I saw Pat with Joni, Jaco, and Lyle. You gave me some great music to check out and I appreciate that. I'm still learning at 67!
I love this video. I would add Caldera's Sky Islands, one of my picks from the 1970's.
Angela Bofill's version of Sky Island is my fav.
Totally agree - seems like hardly anybody knows that album. Another one that was influential on my mind and ears was Lenny White’s Astral Pirates.
@graylunsford Astral Pirates...one of my favorites too!
Caldera!! The Dreamer album is one of my top 5! Underrated and pretty well unknown! Strunz went on to play nylon string with Strunz&Farah… awesome guitar player.
Great list of fantastic albums! I'm looking forward to checking out the ones I've not heard yet! Thank you!
Thank you and I hope that you enjoy the music 🎶
As a mostly rock musician I greatly appreciated the late sixties early seventies records from Miles Davis, Tony Williams, Return to Forever, Mahavishnu, ,Herbie Hanocock' Zappa (whatever genre he resided in) Weather Report, Jeff Beck, etc. Interesting seeing many of the same musicians flourishing or making cameos in many of these great albums!! Lucky to do sound for Larry Coryell late in his life, and as a solo performer he was just great too!
Yes, thanks for the shout out for Larry Coryell.
Yes!! I called it in the first minute. Love the bass clarinet
Bass clarinet on "Strange Fruit " by Marcus Miller on his 95 album " Tales"
Those are excellent choices as the work of black artists seemed to often get overlooked for their contributions in fusion. I would also add Norman Connors for the great "Dance of Magic" featuring the amazing Stanley Clarke tune "Blue" with Hancock , Airto and others, which jams so hard I can never listen to it once. That being said, I'd love to see you explore the R&B/Funk side of fusion with great artists such as Lonnie Liston Smith, George Duke, Eddie Henderson, Roy Ayers, Patrice Rushen and many other unherald greats. Thanks.
L L Smith absolutely!
Thank you SO much for that video. Although I had previously heard a couple of the albums you discussed, I wrote every title down on a list and I am going to devote some serious time to listen to them all.
Many thanks as always Kenny, thanks for the knowledge
Hey DBD, hope all is well. Just wanted to say hi
Have a great day
@djjoeykmusic I'm doing good, it's just a beautiful woman that's always on my mind, that's all it is.shes something man!
@@dimebagdave77 yea man, they do that. The best songs are about women.
Cool, glad you good.
Have a wonderful one brother
Kenny, I feel like we have the same record collection ! I’m 65 and am very familiar with all the records you talk about. It’s a nice trip back to my teen years. Thanks !
You forgot to mention Lonnie Liston Smith! Astral Travelling and Expansions are absolute masterpieces. Also, Sun Ra was creating Jazz fusion before it even became a thing. Great picks though! Keep up the excellent content. 👏🏾
Nice choices on your part but I prefer the Lonnie Liston Smith "Cosmic Funk & Spiritual Sounds" album. Thank you for watching 😊 ✌️
That’s Doctor Lonnie Liston Smith.
I saw Miles in ‘85 at the paramount Seattle. Even though he was only half there that evening I treasure that experience. I’ve often thought about how repeated performance might be numbing for a creative musician. Miles will live forever.
Mahavishnu Orchestra, “Vision Of The Emerald Beyond”, Miles Davis “Amanda”, George Duke, “Feel’, Weather Report “Tale Spinning”. Love your taste, keep the channel going.. Alphonso Johnson is underrated.. I also think the African Fusion of Salif Kieta is worthy of note “Soto”, “Amen” In conjunction with Joe Zawinul.
INNER MOUNTING & BIRDS OF FIRE...LIFE CHANGERS!...AUM ❤
Visions of the Emerald Beyond... perhaps not underrated but Sublime !!!
Bright Size Life is MEGA!!! ...also Larry Coryell + Philip Catherine Twin House + Splendide
Great video Kenny & some excellent choices
Selecting 2 underrated jazz fusion albums that definitely deserve more love
Eddie Henderson: Realization
Terumasa Hino: Hi-Nology
Weather Report - Heavy Weather
I’ve never heard one tune from the self-titled Michel Colombier album (1979) on radio. Brilliant album.
Kenny picked up both Shadows and Light and 11th house w the great drummer Alphonse Mouzon great fusion albums!
Thank you Dave for watching ✌️
WoW Kenny, gratz to your great Vinyl collection. Looks overwhelming. My own collection counts only 3500 LP‘s.
Thank you very much and thanks for watching 😊...3500 LPs is a lot of albums ✌️
Brand X - Masques or Unorthodox Behavior
Steps Ahead - Magnetic
Tribal Tech - Face First
Lydian Collective - Adventure
Shrek Is Love
These are just a few favorites of mine that I thought I'd add. Also, you mentioned some great albums on here.
@@illusionvii no MorroconRoll?