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.
Top acid jazz artists
Start with one of these.
The acid jazz essentials
Twenty-four picks. Press play on any of them.
Jamiroquai
Automaton
A vibrant fusion of funk, disco, and electronic elements that captures the spirit of modern dance music.
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Jamiroquai
A Funk Odyssey
A vibrant fusion of disco grooves and jazzy melodies, infused with a modern funk sensibility that invites movement.
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Pizzicato Five
Bellissima!
A vibrant blend of eclectic samples and catchy melodies that encapsulates the playful spirit of late '80s Japanese pop culture.
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Pizzicato Five
The International Playboy & Playgirl Record
A kaleidoscopic blend of jazz-infused pop and avant-garde sounds, wrapped in playful melodies and whimsical arrangements.
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Herbie Mann
Richard Rodgers’ No Strings. An After‐Theatre Version
A vibrant fusion of jazz and Broadway, blending melodic sophistication with rhythmic charm that invites listeners to dance.
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Herbie Mann
Flute Soufflé
A vibrant blend of jazz and world music, featuring intricate flute melodies over rhythmic, percussive backdrops.
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Roy Ayers
Africa, Center of the World
A vibrant fusion of jazz, funk, and soul echoes a profound connection to African heritage and spirituality.
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Roy Ayers
Vibrations
A vibrant blend of jazz-funk and soul, infused with infectious grooves and uplifting melodies.
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Los Amigos Invisibles
The Venezuelan Zinga Son, Vol. 1
A vibrant fusion of funk, disco, and Latin grooves that invites listeners to dance through its infectious rhythms.
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Los Amigos Invisibles
Not So Commercial
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Xploding Plastix
Amateur Girlfriends Go Proskirt Agents
A vibrant blend of acid jazz and big beat, layered with playful samples and intricate grooves that invite dance.
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Xploding Plastix
The Donca Matic Singalongs
A vibrant fusion of electronic beats and jazzy undertones, inviting listeners into a dynamic, danceable soundscape.
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The Asteroids Galaxy Tour
Fruit
A vibrant blend of psychedelic pop and acid jazz, infused with catchy melodies and playful instrumentation.
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The Asteroids Galaxy Tour
Out of Frequency
A vibrant blend of pop and psychedelic sounds that swirl with playful energy and a hint of nostalgia.
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Lonnie Liston Smith
Dreams of Tomorrow
A shimmering blend of jazz fusion and soul, infused with spiritual themes and lush instrumentation that evokes a sense of tranquility.
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Lonnie Liston Smith
Expansions
A celestial blend of jazz fusion and soul, weaving intricate rhythms with lush instrumentation that transports listeners to ethereal realms.
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Cibo Matto
Cibo Matto
A quirky blend of eclectic sounds, merging playful lyrics with a mix of electronic beats and jazzy melodies.
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Cibo Matto
Hotel Valentine
A whimsical blend of eclectic sounds and dreamy melodies that conjure a surreal hotel experience.
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Cloroform
All-Scars
A chaotic blend of experimental jazz and alternative rock, laced with provocative humor and sharp social commentary.
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Sophie Barker
Earthbound
A lush blend of electronic textures and smooth vocals create a reflective soundscape that invites listeners into a daydream.
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Tab Two
Mind Movie
A vibrant blend of acid jazz grooves and intricate melodies that capture the essence of early '90s experimental music.
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Tab Two
Flagman Ahead
A vibrant fusion of jazz rhythms and electronic grooves that captures the essence of 90s acid jazz.
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Nicolette
Let No-One Live Rent Free in Your Head
A vibrant blend of acid jazz and trip hop, layered with atmospheric vocals and intricate electronic textures.
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Nicolette
Now Is Early
A fusion of ethereal vocals and intricate rhythms that intertwine electronic, world music, and acid jazz influences.
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Adjacent sounds
By decade
Where acid jazz landed in each era.