Weather Report's 1974 release Mysterious Traveller is some serious rock-jazz fusion. I know when I hear the term 'fusion', I think of something more rock-oriented than what this music is, so let me dispel the myth. I would label this music 'rock-jazz' rather than 'jazz-rock', as it is much more ambient and free-flowing than rocking. But there are keyboards, funky electric bass, and rocking guitar licks, so rock and funk elements are definitely there - this just happens to be jazz music with rock elements added in, as opposed to the other way around. What all this is to say is that if you don't like or don't know jazz, I wouldn't recommend trying to get into Weather Report just because they have rock elements. What Weather Report is commendable for is their dark, psychedelic soundscapes and atmospheric keyboard playing by Joe Zawinul. This is definitely exploratory, late night music that made me think of sitting in my college radio station listening to random music at 3 in the morning. Overall, I found it compelling and definitely different, so if you are a jazz or fusion fan and haven't heard Weather Report, I would recommend this record.
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