The Song Planner

Instrumental Jazz Rock

tagStarted 1973Peak 1975-1985Last big hit still active

Located in 1 route

Rock → Jazz Rock / Fusion Rock

Wordless jazz rock where the lead instrument carries the song: searing fusion guitar, electric violin or sax states the melody and stretches into solos over a rock rhythm section. No vocals, all interplay, voicing technique and tone. Melodic yet virtuosic, the composed head and improvised flight standing in for verse and chorus.

History

Crystallized when Jeff Beck went fully instrumental with Blow by Blow (1975) and Wired (1976), proving a guitar-led fusion album could chart high. Violinist Jean-Luc Ponty, Genesis offshoot Brand X, and guitar virtuosos Allan Holdsworth, Al Di Meola and Larry Carlton pushed the wordless format from the late 70s into the 80s shred-fusion era.

Defining artists

Essential listening

← Explore Rock

Sources

  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wired_(Jeff_Beck_album)
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unorthodox_Behaviour
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enigmatic_Ocean
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_Fatigue_(album)