fusion jazz recommendations

A good summary by Centurymantra. Most of the so-called jazz fusion groups today have only limited elements of real jazz in their playing, and a look back to the fusion groups of the late '60's and early 70's would be a great beginning for you. I don't have much to add to the previous post, except to mention Miles Davis's "Bitches Brew" which essentially launched "fusion jazz", and the work by Weather Report, in my opinion to best of the fusion groups. Two of their recordings, "Weather Report" and "Heavy Weather", still find their way to my turntable. Finally, John McLaughlin's recordings with the Mahavishnu Orchestra should not be overlooked.

My .02: Miles Davis "A Tribute to Jack Johnson", John McLaughlin "Inner Mounting Flame" and more recent: Charlie Hunter/Leon Parker "Duo". Should also mention: John Scofield, Pat Martino and Al Dimeola--all electric guitarist with differing approaches to fusion. Jean-Luc Ponty--violinist was quite popular as well.

My suggestions follow suite with the above recommendations;

Mahavishnu Orchestra "Inner Mounting Flame", "Birds of Fire", and "Love Devotion Surrender" (Santana and McLaughlin).

Miles Davis "Bitches Brew".

Weather Report "Heavy Weather".

Herbie Hancock "HeadHunters".

Any of the first three Jean-Luc Ponty solo releases are also worth a listen.

When available, the twenty-bit remasters on CD actually do any (or all) of these recordings some justice in case you don't have a table.

Although I agree with the comment about "post-'74", you might like some Bill Bruford, Billy Cobham, and Jeff Lorber Fusion as well.

Happy listening.

Excellent suggestions. I would add that Chick Corea has some worthwhile stuff, especially the late and somewhat cheesy album "Romantic Warrior" by Return to Forever (Corea, Stanley Clarke, Al DiMeola, and Lenny White, I think).

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I have several of the titles that have been mentioned, Weather Report, Billy Cobham, Jean Luc Ponty, Herbie, Mahavishnu, Chick Corea, etc. While I really like that stuff I would like to find some newer music. I guess that some people would call what I'm looking for progressive rock. I also have Liquid Tension Experiment, Bozzio- Levin- and Stevens, etc, that I also like, but I was looking for something that would be a middle ground or 80's and early 90's version of fusion. Keep the suggestions coming.