Need Jazz Fusion Recommendations Like CHON That Aren't Chon

[guitaardvark]

I've been listening to Chon on repeat for a year and want to branch out. I don't even know if most would consider them Jazz Fusion, but I'm looking for other bands that have fun grooves and dense, oblique harmonies. The shredding/insane technical facilities are great, but I don't really care for that most of the time .

So far my other favorites have been:
Snarky Puppy
AAL/Mestis
Sungazer
Jacob Collier
Steely Dan


I'd still love more recommendations, especially any that have the playful, uplifting qualities of Chon's music.

Thanks!

 

[GunpointMetal]

Are you familiar with Arch Echo? It's a little heavier than CHON, but definitely has the happies when it come to melodies and stuff.

 

[Dumple Stilzkin]

 

[Ralyks]

I second both Arch Echo and Owane. "Yeah Whatever" is one of my favorite records of 2018, easily.

 

[Dumple Stilzkin]

This one especially deserves a listen.

 

[prlgmnr]

Try Chris Potter - Travelling Mercies

 

[isispelican]

Check out Knower, Jakub Zytecki, Happy the Band, Mats Morgan Band.
If you like stuff that's "out there" Allan Holdsworth is a must, not very uplifting though.

 

[KnightBrolaire]

brett garsed /thread
one of the tastiest riffmeisters in fusion
martin miller is also great, or guthrie govan/greg howe if you don't already listen to those guys

 

[The Omega Cluster]

Since when is CHON jazz fusion?

 

[Ordacleaphobia]

Owane

Yup. Came into this thread ready to post some Owane. Those guys are great.

 

[guitaardvark]

Since when is CHON jazz fusion?

I have a hard time categorizing them. They get grouped into metal/prog metal frequently, which I would say they certainly aren't. Math Rock tends to focus more on repetition of and elaboration on somewhat minimal ideas in odd time signatures (generalization, I know), and the prog rock label tends to evoke (to most people) bands like Yes, Rush, King Crimson, etc. If anyone has a better genre to clump them into, I'm all for it.

Maybe they aren't jazz fusion in the sense of Larry Carlton or Holdsworth, but they definitely integrate some jazz harmony into their works and a lot of their lead guitar is reminiscent of jazz fusion. Maybe I'm being a little bit too subjective with this.

 

[guitaardvark]

I second both Arch Echo and Owane. "Yeah Whatever" is one of my favorite records of 2018, easily.

I haven't checked Owane's new stuff, but I remember loving his older stuff. Thanks for the reminder!

 

[gunch]

Not really new school or even Fusion but Pat Metheny and Jaco Pastorius - Bright Size Life is crazy nuts good

 

[7 Strings of Hate]

Since when is CHON jazz fusion?

Because thats such a far off description

 

[guitaardvark]

Because thats such a far off description

I have a hard time categorizing them. They get grouped into metal/prog metal frequently, which I would say they certainly aren't. Math Rock tends to focus more on repetition of and elaboration on somewhat minimal ideas in odd time signatures (generalization, I know), and the prog rock label tends to evoke (to most people) bands like Yes, Rush, King Crimson, etc. If anyone has a better genre to clump them into, I'm all for it.

Maybe they aren't jazz fusion in the sense of Larry Carlton or Holdsworth, but they definitely integrate some jazz harmony into their works and a lot of their lead guitar is reminiscent of jazz fusion. Maybe I'm being a little bit too subjective with this.

 

[downburst82]

Check out Sithu Aye

 

[Bloody_Inferno]

Assuming you've already checked out Polyphia...

The bands mentioned in the OP are all great at dense harmonies and reharmonies (reharm), which is common in jazz fusion (jazz in general), but a lot of neo soul as well (which Snarky Puppy dabble in). So it'd be good to check out some neo soul bands as well. I'm not versed with that genre but Erykah Badu is usually the first that comes to mind. From a guitarist standpoint, Mateus Asato is a great place to start. Hell, even check out some Gospel bands if only for the music.

As for jazz fusion, a lot of great stuff has already been mentioned. A bunch of Miles Davis (namely Bitches' Brew) Chic Corea, Mahavishnu Orchestra and Mothers Of Invention era Zappa are good places to start (and there's a ton more). For modern, yeah Martin Miller and Brett Garsed are great. Tom Quale is another good choice. For some oddball choices (namely by me), check out some of the guys from GOD Guitarists On Demand, namely guys like Satoshi Oka, Seku and Mayer. Masashi Hamauzu... ok he's a game composer, but his writing and arranging style is so dense and rich in harmony it fits here. Plus he's got a band named Imeruat, so that's another on the list.

 

[NateFalcon]

The Dear Hunter...?

 

[downburst82]

You might enjoy Covet as well.

 

[InCasinoOut]

Been really digging these guys. Kind of a blend of Chicago jazz and Midwest math rock, while still having parts that are quite reminiscent of CHON. Excellent musicians!