Best Instrumental

The Allman Brothers Band was a prominent American blues-rock group known for its lengthy instrumental improvisations and distinctive twin-guitar interplay. Emerging in the 1970s, they developed a unique southern rock style incorporating psychedelic and experimental elements. Their live performances,...

Released in 1981, Solo Quiero Caminar is a landmark flamenco album by Spanish guitarist Paco de Lucía and his ensemble. The album is distinguished by its pioneering integration of jazz fusion elements, utilizing instruments like the soprano saxophone and flute alongside traditional acoustic guitars....

King Crimson is a highly influential art-rock group formed in England. The band’s music, spearheaded by Robert Fripp, is notable for its intricate arrangements and experimental approach to rock instrumentation. Their work, particularly albums like *In the Court of the Crimson King*, pushed boundari...

Flamenco Puro is a landmark solo guitar album by the Spanish flamenco guitarist Sabicas, released during his long residency in the Americas. The album showcases his virtuosic, driving technique in traditional flamenco forms, emphasizing rapid picado runs, complex rhythmic compás, and sharp arpeggios...

"Drive" is an instrumental bluegrass album by banjo player Béla Fleck, released in 1988 on Rounder Records. Recorded near the end of his tenure with the progressive bluegrass group New Grass Revival, the album features Fleck backed by an ensemble of prominent acoustic musicians. Notable collaborator...

“Adiós Nonino” is a profoundly moving instrumental tango by Astor Piazzolla. Composed in 1959, it serves as a heartfelt tribute to his father, Vicente Piazzolla, marking a pivotal moment in the development of nuevo-tango. The piece’s lyrical melody and complex arrangements are notable for their emot...

The Trans-Europe Express is a seminal electronic music album by Kraftwerk released in 1978. It’s notable for its pioneering use of automation and repetitive, industrial rhythms to evoke the experience of train travel across Europe. The album's minimalist approach significantly influenced subsequent...

La Cumparsita, originally written by Gerardo Matos Rodriguez in 1916, is a foundational piece of Uruguayan tango. Its melancholic melody and distinctive rhythm have made it an internationally recognized icon within the dance form. The instrumental composition, often associated with the Guardia Vieja...

Founded in 1987, the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition is organized by the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, formerly the Thelonious Monk Institute. It is held in Washington, D.C. and rotates focus among different instruments and vocals. The competition has awarded prizes to performers...

Libertango, composed by Astor Piazzolla in 1973, is a cornerstone of nuevo-tango music. This instrumental piece became an iconic representation of the genre’s evolution and remains a significant work for tango enthusiasts, musicians, and those interested in Argentine musical history. It showcases Pi...

Ever since a fateful encounter with jazz music, Dai Miyamoto has dreamed of becoming the world's best jazz saxophonist. After only three years of playing the instrument, he makes the bold decision to move to Tokyo in order to break into the music scene. When he meets pianist Yukinori Sawabe at a sma...

Derek and the Dominos was a British blues-rock group formed in 1970 featuring Eric Clapton and other talented musicians including Ginger Baker and Bill Collins. The band’s only studio album, *Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs*, remains a cornerstone of classic rock, renowned for its intricate inst...

La Yumba is an iconic instrumental tango composed by Osvaldo Pugliese in 1946. Its distinctive rhythmic structure, characterized by a prominent percussive beat, established Pugliese’s orchestra as a leading force within the golden-age of Argentine tango. The piece remains notable for its influence o...

This collection represents the zenith of Baroque instrumental writing. The concertos are dazzling displays of counterpoint, where multiple independent melodic lines weave together with breathtaking complexity. They are intellectually stimulating yet musically joyous, making them perfect for deep lis...

Claude Debussy was a pioneering French composer whose work formed the cornerstone of musical Impressionism. Renowned for his innovative use of harmony, texture, and timbre, he created evocative, atmospheric works that broke from traditional German Romanticism. His masterpieces, such as 'Prélude à l'...

Live... One Summer Night is a live album by the Spanish flamenco guitarist Paco de Lucía, released in 1984. The recording captures his performing sextet, which integrated traditional flamenco guitar with modern instrumentation like the electric bass, flute, and percussion. The album showcases the en...

Look-Ka Py Py is the Meters' second studio album, released by Josie Records in 1969. Largely instrumental, it centers on syncopated guitar, organ, bass, and drums arranged with the rhythmic economy associated with the band's New Orleans funk sound. The title track and "Yeah, You're Right" illustrate...

Mundo y Formas de la Guitarra Flamenca is a foundational work by Spanish flamenco guitarist Manolo Sanlúcar. Sanlúcar, whose given name is Manuel Muñoz Alcón, is regarded alongside Paco de Lucía and Serranito as one of the most influential flamenco guitarists of the second half of the 20th century....

Vivencias Imaginadas is a flamenco album by Spanish guitarist Vicente Amigo, released in 1997. Amigo, born in Seville and raised in Córdoba, studied under Manolo Sanlúcar and is recognized as a leading figure in contemporary flamenco guitar. The album consists of original instrumental compositions t...

"My Bluegrass Heart" is a 2021 studio album by American banjo player Béla Fleck, released on the Renew Records label. It serves as the final installment of a bluegrass trilogy that began with his 1988 album "Drive" and 1995's "Tales from the Acoustic Planet." The album features numerous guest musici...

Following their success in the qualifying round for the Kansai regional competition, the members of the Kitauji High School concert band set their sights on the next upcoming performance. Utilizing their summer break to the utmost, the band participates in a camp where they are instructed by their b...

"The Fantastic Guitar of Sabicas" is a solo flamenco album by the Spanish guitarist Sabicas, released in the mid-20th century. Sabicas is recognized as one of the greatest flamenco guitarists in history, credited with expanding the technical boundaries of the instrument and establishing it as a lead...

Astor Piazzolla’s “Concierto para Quinteto” is an instrumental work composed in 1971. It showcases his innovative approach to tango, fusing classical techniques with nuevo-tango’s distinctive sound. The piece utilizes a quintet arrangement – typically featuring strings, woodwinds, piano, and double...

Astor Piazzolla’s “Le Grand Tango” is a significant instrumental composition for cello and piano. Written in 1982, it showcases his innovative fusion of classical music structures with the passionate style of tango. The work, heavily influenced by nuevo-tango, is notable for its complex harmonies an...

Astor Piazzolla’s “Buenos Aires Hora Cero” is a seminal tango piece from the 1960s. The composition captures the city’s nocturnal energy and mood through its complex rhythms and distinctive instrumentation. It remains a cornerstone of nuevo-tango, frequently performed by orchestras and instrumentali...

“Verano Porteño” is an instrumental tango composition by Astor Piazzolla. Written in 1965 as part of his “Four Seasons” suite, it’s notable for its innovative blend of traditional tango with elements of nuevo-tango and classical music. The piece captures the atmosphere of Buenos Aires during summer....

Rosita Melo’s “Desde el Alma” is a significant Argentine tango waltz from 1911. This instrumental piece, part of the golden age of tango, showcases lyrical melodies and exemplifies the *vals criollo* style. It remains notable for its historical importance within the genre and is frequently studied a...

"Medea" is a 1987 instrumental album by the Spanish flamenco guitarist Manolo Sanlúcar. The record was composed as the soundtrack for a ballet production by the Spanish National Ballet. It blends traditional flamenco techniques with orchestral arrangements to tell the mythological story of Medea. Sa...

Kamasi Washington has revitalized spiritual jazz with his expansive and ambitious compositions. His debut album, 'The Epic,' is a sprawling masterpiece that blends elements of post-bop, funk, and gospel. Washingtons soaring saxophone solos and the powerful arrangements of his band create a deeply mo...