Essential acid jazz listening

The albums that define acid jazz.

Our picks for where to start with acid jazz — with a one-line read on why each one matters.

The acid jazz essentials

Twenty-four picks. Press play on any of them.

Automaton

Jamiroquai

Automaton

A vibrant fusion of funk and electronic elements that reflects a futuristic soundscape.

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A Funk Odyssey

Jamiroquai

A Funk Odyssey

A vibrant fusion of funky grooves and danceable beats that encapsulates early 2000s pop sensibilities.

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Richard Rodgers’ No Strings. An After‐Theatre Version

Herbie Mann

Richard Rodgers’ No Strings. An After‐Theatre Version

A vibrant blend of jazz and Broadway, radiating warmth and sophistication with each melodic twist.

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Flute Soufflé

Herbie Mann

Flute Soufflé

A vibrant fusion of jazz and world music, characterized by expressive flute melodies and rich rhythmic textures.

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The Venezuelan Zinga Son, Vol. 1

Los Amigos Invisibles

The Venezuelan Zinga Son, Vol. 1

A vibrant fusion of acid jazz and funk that pulses with the energy of Venezuelan disco culture.

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Commercial

Los Amigos Invisibles

Commercial

A vibrant fusion of funk, disco, and Latin rhythms that invites listeners to dance and celebrate life.

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Bellissima!

Pizzicato Five

Bellissima!

A kaleidoscopic blend of pop, jazz, and electronic sounds that defines the Shibuya-kei movement.

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The International Playboy & Playgirl Record

Pizzicato Five

The International Playboy & Playgirl Record

A vibrant fusion of pop, jazz, and electronic sounds envelops listeners in a whimsical auditory landscape.

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Africa, Center of the World

Roy Ayers

Africa, Center of the World

A soulful blend of jazz-funk and African rhythms that celebrates heritage and unity.

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Vibrations

Roy Ayers

Vibrations

A vibrant blend of jazz-funk grooves and soulful melodies that invites listeners to dance and reflect.

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Fruit

The Asteroids Galaxy Tour

Fruit

A vibrant blend of indie pop and psychedelic grooves infused with playful energy and eclectic instrumentation.

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Out of Frequency

The Asteroids Galaxy Tour

Out of Frequency

A vibrant blend of psychedelic pop and jazz-infused grooves that invites listeners into a whimsical auditory landscape.

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Dreams of Tomorrow

Lonnie Liston Smith

Dreams of Tomorrow

A vibrant fusion of jazz, funk, and soul, intertwined with ethereal melodies and uplifting rhythms.

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Expansions

Lonnie Liston Smith

Expansions

A vibrant fusion of jazz, funk, and soul that transports listeners to a realm of expansive grooves.

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Cibo Matto

Cibo Matto

Cibo Matto

Eclectic soundscapes blend playful pop melodies with experimental textures and quirky lyrical themes.

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Hotel Valentine

Cibo Matto

Hotel Valentine

An eclectic blend of dreamy pop and experimental sounds, transporting listeners through a whimsical hotel experience.

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All-Scars

Cloroform

All-Scars

A chaotic blend of noise and rhythm, merging harsh electronic sounds with jazz-infused rock elements.

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Mind Movie

Tab Two

Mind Movie

A vibrant fusion of jazz improvisation and electronic grooves that invites listeners into a whimsical soundscape.

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Flagman Ahead

Tab Two

Flagman Ahead

A vibrant fusion of acid jazz grooves and eclectic instrumentation that invites listeners to unwind and dance.

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Amateur Girlfriends Go Proskirt Agents

Xploding Plastix

Amateur Girlfriends Go Proskirt Agents

A vibrant fusion of acid jazz and big beat, layered with playful rhythms and inventive samples.

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The Donca Matic Singalongs

Xploding Plastix

The Donca Matic Singalongs

A vibrant fusion of electronic beats and jazzy grooves that invites spontaneous dance and reflection.

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Let No-One Live Rent Free in Your Head

Nicolette

Let No-One Live Rent Free in Your Head

A vibrant fusion of trip-hop and acid jazz, blending introspective lyrics with lush electronic soundscapes.

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DJ-Kicks: Nicolette

Nicolette

DJ-Kicks: Nicolette

A kaleidoscopic blend of electronic beats and eclectic samples that redefine the boundaries of dance music.

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Earthbound

Sophie Barker

Earthbound

A serene blend of electronic textures and soft jazz-inflected melodies evokes introspective tranquility.

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