World Fusion

World Fusion refers to the variety of jazz/ethnic music hybrids that have cropped up since the late 1960s. As there are an infinite number of possibilities for stylistic and cultural recombination, there is no one sound that sums up this category; however, characteristics such as non-Western instrumentation, folk-like melodies and an emphasis on improvisation tend to be common elements. Among the better known groups in the field are Shakti, an east-west collaboration between Fusion guitarist John McLaughlin and a group of Indian classical musicians including tabla player Zakir Hussain and violinist L. Shanka; and Oregon, who have been serving up their blend of light Fusion, impressionistic Post Bop, Indian ragas, and Native American influences in various lineups since the early 1970s.