rock/jazz fusion


i ran across a group called "Jazz is Dead"; Jimmy Herring, T Lavitz, Billy Cobham who did instrumental versions of some G.Dead stuff. I loved it. It reminds me of old Jeff Beck; "Wired", "Blow by Blow", I wish I had more of the style. The recent Jeff Beck was way too techno/alternative, lacked the soulfullness of his older stuff. Any suggestions?
joeb
joeb
Although I would almost be tempted to veto a recording titled "Jazz Is Dead" on principle, I must admit I also enjoyed it. I second the John Scofield recommendations; and if you like T. Lavitz's work, check some of The Dixie Dregs' recordings. Billy Cobham made a record in the '70's (God, has it been that long?) titled "Spectrum" that I highly recommend; it featured a young Michael Brecker, and the jazz/fusion saxophone world was never the same again.
I've got one more
PRAXIS - "Transmutation" is a mix if industrial, jazz, funk and punk alltogether featuring famous funk-bassist Bill Laswel, Buckethead(from cure) and Brain -- that's where the jazz rests literally.
The Jazz is Dead CD's are great.You might also enjoy Col.Bruce Hampton and The Aquarium Rescue Unit[Jimmy Herring again].Also Double cd Phil Lesh and friends for Dead stuff jammed out.Jimmy Herring and Warren Hayes tour with Phil a lot which brings us to Gov't Mule that covers some Coltrane and other jazz stuff on some earlier cd's.Double live one for example.Allman's freely borrowed Coltrane licks[Dicky note for note in mid slow, down and dirty part of W Post!] on the Filmore East album.Elizbeth Reed on same lp influnced heavily by the Miles Kind of Blue.Enjoy !
Well, I must admit that I have not heard the "Jazz is Dead" CD you mention, although I think it's title is inaccurate. I'd also question whether this group is really a "fusion" jazz band in the sense normally understood by jazz fans. If you want to check out the "roots" of fusion jazz, here are some recordings you try:
1. Miles Davis: either "In a Silent Way" or "Bitches Brew" (already mentioned above) from the late 1960's, or "Live-Evil", "Black Beauty", and Agharta" from the late 1970's and 1980's.
2. Weather Report (arguably the pre-eminent fusion band of the 1970's, led by Joe Zawinul, with Wayne Shorter and Jaco Pastorius): either "Heavy Weather" or "8:30" (a live concert recording).
3. John McLaughlin and the Mahavishnu Orchestra: "Inner Mounting Flame", or "Birds of Fire".
4. Herbie Hancock: "Sextant", "Mwandishi", and "Crossings".
5. Recordings from the 1970's by Larry Coryell and Pat Metheny.
6. Billy Cobham also led his own group in the late 1970's, and released an album or two (sorry, can't think of the names).