And now for the final installment of my first-ever, mid-year assessment of what are the best records we’ve covered here on SER. This time, we survey that murky hybrid world called “fusion jazz.” You May Also Like: Jeff Lorber Fusion – ‘The Drop’ (2023)

If you happened to peruse the Half-Year List of Top Albums for 2012 for Modern and Mainstream Jazz before this list and you’ve been keeping up with the latest jazz releases, you might have wondered, “Where’s that new Matthew Shipp?” You May Also Like: No related posts.

Here we are only halfway done with 2012 and it’s already been a bangin’ year for modern and mainstream jazz, whether you prefer a celebration of the tradition or an expansion of the frontiers. You May Also Like: Ethan Keller wants to release FIVE albums this year…but needs your help!

Since 2007, I’ve had year-end lists for the albums I thought stood out over the rest, within and without jazz. If the Mayans are to be believed, there won’t be time for year-end lists for 2012 You May Also Like: Seth Walker – Gotta Get Back (2016) Ethan Keller wantsRead More

The name changed a little bit, but not the lineup: the Rich Halley 4 is the same Rich Halley Quartet who last year gave us the stunning Requiem For A Pit Viper You May Also Like: Rich Halley 5 – The Outlier (2016) Rich Halley – ‘Boomslang’ (2021)

Nearly every fusion jazz artist has a straight jazz side inside of them, and although not as often, the reverse is often true, too. You May Also Like: Pearcy / Gratzmiller Jazz Quintet – ‘Over the Edge’ (2018) Rob Reddy – Citizen Quintet (2016)

Trigonometry, the third album by alto saxophone rising star Jacám Manricks, was a stellar post-bop set. It was just the kind of record you’d expect with a guy of his experience, education and raw talent You May Also Like: Organ Freeman – Respect My Art (2017) Steve Fidyk – AlliedRead More

Pat Metheny introduces a new twist or turn with each album, and he’s taken so many turns, he’s bound to end up in a spot he’s been in before. You May Also Like: Pat Metheny – ‘From This Place’ (2020) Pat Metheny, “You Are” from ‘From This Place’ (2019): OneRead More

feature photo: Joel Faurote Left Lane Cruiser and John Wesley Myers (aka James Leg) are both coming off ass-whoopin’ records from last year, and both were sized up here at the same time. You May Also Like: Left Lane Cruiser – Beck In Black (2016) Left Lane Cruiser’s Bring Yo’Read More

Ben Tyree describes himself not as a guitarist but rather a “sonic architect,” which sends the message that he sees his station in life at a higher plane; the guitar is simply a means to a grander end. You May Also Like: Sameer Gupta + Ben Tyree – ‘Unruly Neighbors’Read More