For those who may not have lived it, the 1970's were a popular decade for jazz - when it was modernized and combined into fusion, jazz-rock, jazz-funk or one of its other hybrid variations.  Jazz provided a softer, more musical election vs. some of the harder-edged genres popular during the decade.  Although popular, it often performed more as a "niche" genre when compared to the most successful 1970's genres.  Nonetheless, the collections of serious music lovers often featured these jazz-hybrid albums.

Post any 1970's jazz-hybrid song in this thread (for our enjoyment, please embed it for YouTube).  Or if you have a favorite such album, tell us about it.  I'll be doing the same.

Steely Dan's Aja album has been called by many critics as the perfect blend of rock and jazz.  I agree, and I love the album.  This is among my favorite songs from the album:

Steely Dan - Home At Last (1977)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hx5ZlTyzU-k

This beauty is the result of a fine collaboration between keyboard master Ramsey Lewis and Earth, Wind & Fire -

Ramsey Lewis (w/E.W.&F.) - Sun Goddess (1974)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dS463tbX-HE

In 1979 Joni Mitchell made the "Mingus" album. Starting out as a collaboration with jazz great Charles Mingus, he died partway through, turning the album into a tribute to him. The album nearly ended Mitchell's career for good, people just weren't ready for it. I found it to be quite interesting.

Joni Mitxhell
"God Must be A Boogie Man"
1979

Congas  Drums: Don Alias
Percussion: Emil Richards
Piano: Herbie Hancock
Bass  Guitar: Jaco Pastorius
Guitar: Joni Mitchell
Lead  Vocals: Joni Mitchell
Drums: Peter Erkskine
Soprano  Saxophone: Wayne Shorter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExbC-JmccGA

This beauty is the result of a fine collaboration between keyboard master Ramsey Lewis and Earth, Wind & Fire

I saw Ramsey Lewis live in 1977.  :)

In 1979 Joni Mitchell made the "Mingus" album. Starting out as a collaboration with jazz great Charles Mingus, he died partway through, turning the album into a tribute to him. The album nearly ended Mitchell's career for good, people just weren't ready for it. I found it to be quite interesting.

Joni Mitxhell
"God Must be A Boogie Man"
1979

Congas  Drums: Don Alias
Percussion: Emil Richards
Piano: Herbie Hancock
Bass  Guitar: Jaco Pastorius
Guitar: Joni Mitchell
Lead  Vocals: Joni Mitchell
Drums: Peter Erkskine
Soprano  Saxophone: Wayne Shorter


Something different - interesting indeed!  Sad about Charles Mingus.  Joni's voice sounds well suited for jazz.  And I recognize a number of jazz luminaries among the musicians' lineup.  Thanks for posting this!  :)


I saw Ramsey Lewis live in 1977.  :)


O0 Very cool!

The band Traffic always had a pronounced jazzy side (indeed, even their well known "Low Spark of High Heeled Boys" would not have been out of place here), but this two song combo really shows it. The jazzy  instrumental "Glad" which segues into the more rock-oriented but still jazzy ""Freedom Rider". These two songs are really quite a fusion of rock, jazz, psychedelia, and R&B.

The album from which this comes "John Barleycorn Must Die" is SERIOUSLY one of the masterpieces of the modern era.

Traffic
"Glad"/"Freedom Rider"
1970

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ow1yz0P84E

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7z4QGfmJUA&list=PLD78E272FFAF52E87
Paulinho DaCosta - Groove

The jazz fusion Mahavishnu Orchestra led by guitarist extraordinaire John McLaughlin was very big in the 70s. McLaughlin also teamed up with Carlos Santana for an album called "Love Devotion Surrender" in 1973. Here is their version of John Coltrane's "A Love Supreme".

Both McLaughlin and Santana were devotees of spiritual guru Sri Chinmoy at the time. They called themselves Mahavishnu John McLaughlin  and Devadip Carlos Santana.

Sri Chinmoy on surrender:

Unfortunately, in the West surrender is misunderstood. We feel that if we surrender to someone, he will then lord it over us....But from the spiritual point of view...when the finite enters in the Infinite, it becomes the Infinite all at once. When a tiny drop enters into the ocean, we cannot trace the drop. It becomes the mighty ocean.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmIaubt4NWY

Love the delicate beauty of this gem.  I bought this album while a University student - it didn't disappoint.

Earl Klugh - Another Time, Another Place (1976)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQRp0HpRcL0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1QjyskJ9jw
George Benson- Breezin (1976)

George Benson- Breezin (1976)


O0 Good pick!  I was thinking of posting it myself, but you beat me to it...

Acclaimed trumpeter Donald Byrd, his claim to fame including his work originating and working with group The Blackbyrds, was pretty active himself in the mid-70's.  I became fond of his 1975 jazz-funk Places and Spaces album.  Here's its delightful title track:

Donald Byrd - Places and Spaces (1975)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skZPzx-XlD0

Grover Washington Jr. and his magic sax found much acclaim during the mid-70's:

Grover Washington Jr.. - Mister Magic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLLF6iWzZ3s