Mariko Muranaka, Senri Kawaguchi, Ray Russell, Chick Corea

We open with some excellent fusion from Japanese cellist Mariko Muranaka, featuring the powerhouse duo of Marco Minnemann and Fernando Molinari. Then bassist Gary Willis joins drummer Franky Freedom, followed by powerful fusion from Canadian band Finely Tuned Elephant. We'll hear Japanese drum sensation Senri Kawaguchi, live at Blues alley, before British guitarist Ray Russell teams up with Simon Phillips. There's also more from Japan with Jizue, and we finish the new releases with a remarkable live recording from 1972-the late Chick Corea performing his masterpiece, Crystal silence. Then we travel back to 2002, with dynamic progressive rock from Planet X, bassist Jeff Berlin alongside Dave Liebman, and guitarist Frank Gambale shredding with drummer Steve Smith. And finally, some funky sounds from the Jeff Lorber Fusion, former Miles Davis keyboardist Adam Holzman, powerful music from drummer Anders Johansson, featuring the late, great Allan Holdsworth.

Playlist

• Mariko Muranaka "Kunoichi" from Beautiful Mess (Mariko Cello 00:00
• Franky Freedom "For Ralph" from Franky Freedom 2 (Self Produced) Time Marker
• Finely Tuned Elephant "Chunky Monkey" from No Goats (Self Produced) Time Marker
• Senri Kawaguchi "Raging Spur" from E-Magination (In Out) Time Marker
• Ray Russell "Just For Clicks" from Dangerous Bends (Cuneiform) Time Marker
• Jizue "Cradle" from Orbis (Victor) Time Marker
• Chick Corea "Crystal silence" from Live in Bremen 1972 (Moosicus) Time Marker
• Planet X "inside Black" from Live from Oz (Inside Out) 00:00
• Jeff Berlin "Liebman On a Jet Plane" from In Harmonys Way (MAJ) Time Marker
• Metalwood "Strollin'" from The Recline (Telarc) Time Marker
• GHS "Confuse A Blues" from GHS3 (Tone Centre) Time Marker
• Jeff Lorber Fusion "Tune 88" from Water sign (Arista) Time Marker
• Adam Holzman "Hail To the Chief" from In A Loud Way (Manhatten) Time Marker
• Anders Johansson "Beef Cherokee" from Heavy Machinery (Heptagon) Time Marker