Jazz-rock emerged in the late ‘60s from a two-way collision. Explorers like Miles Davis saw rock’s popularity pushing jazz toward the margins, while recognising the former’s propulsive power; meanwhile, musicians like Ginger Baker felt constrained by rock’s structural limitations. Frequently referred to as fusion, jazz-rock has allowed for countless variations. They’re often loud and aggressive, like the high-energy virtuosity of the Mahavishnu Orchestra and the funky hybrids of Stanley Clarke, but they can also be sophisticated and smooth, like the adult pop of Steely Dan and the slick R&B of David Sanborn.