Released in 1998 on Zebra Records, Blue Light Rain is the electrifying debut album from instrumental supergroup Jazz Is Dead. Conceived as a high-octane jazz-fusion celebration of the music of the Grateful Dead, the group assembled an legendary lineup featuring drum powerhouse Billy Cobham (Mahavishnu Orchestra), bassist Alphonso Johnson (Weather Report), keyboardist T Lavitz (Dixie Dregs), and virtuoso lead guitarist Jimmy Herring (Col. Bruce Hampton, Widespread Panic). Together, the quartet transforms classic Grateful Dead compositions into exploratory, polyrhythmic fusion workouts. Reimagining epic suites like "Dark Star," "Crazy Fingers," "Scarlet Begonias," and the intricate "King Solomon's Marbles" (alongside a nod to Billy Cobham's own "Red Baron"), Blue Light Rain stands as a masterclass in modern instrumental jamming, virtuosity, and fusion interplay.

Released in 2012 by Sony Legacy, The Columbia Albums 1971-1975 is a comprehensive 7-CD box set tracing the foundational formative era of legendary jazz fusion pioneers Weather Report. Led by keyboard titan Joe Zawinul and saxophonist/composer Wayne Shorter, this collection gathers the band's essential early output: Weather Report (1971), I Sing the Body Electric (1972), the full 2-CD double album Live in Tokyo (1972), Sweetnighter (1973), Mysterious Traveller (1974), and Tale Spinnin' (1975). Featuring iconic band members such as bassist Miroslav Vitouš, percussionists Airto Moreira and Dom Um Romão, bassist Alphonso Johnson, and drummer Chester Thompson, this box set documents the group's seismic evolution from ambient, open-ended avant-garde soundscapes into funk-infused, groove-heavy world jazz masters, packed with bonus tracks, alternative takes, and rare live recordings.

Sunburst is a classic 1975 jazz-funk and fusion masterpiece by trumpeter and physician Dr. Eddie Henderson, reissued on CD in 2002 via Blue Note Records. Recorded at San Francisco's Wally Heider Studios in early 1975, the session bridges the cosmic, mystical modal soundscapes of Herbie Hancock's Mwandishi group with deep, hard-driving 1970s funk grooves. Backed by an all-star lineup including keyboardist George Duke, bassist Alphonso Johnson, drummer Harvey Mason, trombonist Julian Priester, saxophonist Bennie Maupin, and guest appearances by vibraphonist/marimbist Bobby Hutcherson, bassist Buster Williams, and drummer Billy Hart, the album spans heavy clavinet funk on Explodition and The Kumquat Kids, spacey synth explorations on Galaxy, and delicate acoustic balladry on the closing track We End In A Dream.

Absolute glorious collection of Mellow Soul, Jazz & Funk tunes. Well put together compilation CD from Sony music Japan, features George Duke, Mtume, Webster Lewis, Pattie Labelle, & Alphonso Johnson. Essential collection for any soul music fan.