The Fusion Syndicate

The Fusion Syndicate isn't a "band" in the formal sense of the word. They are an ever-evolving recording project staffed by some of the world's finest musicians. Their very electric sound weds jazz fusion, funk, prog rock, and more. The Fusion Syndicate was founded by <a href="spotify:artist:3v585Z1aC2FYImkwfdg2a8">Prog Collective</a> founder, composer, and bassist <a href="spotify:artist:5CygLAXA4q6Ij6u3KbGxjp">Billy Sherwood</a> (<a href="spotify:artist:7AC976RDJzL2asmZuz7qil">Yes</a>) in 2012. He wrote the album's compositions, hired players, and recorded and mixed the proceedings leading a who's-who of prog, fusion, funk, and rock musicians who assisted in the studio including <a href="spotify:artist:0mkcYaXUbJUs5mJointuzB">Rick Wakeman</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:3sRZzVpgmxBaiKChVuUDNh">Nik Turner</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:0bCfJQlTRo2IauErUPSgAZ">Gavin Harrison</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:4ruO9Y424Hf796fUGMLKcC">Steve Hillage</a> (777), <a href="spotify:artist:4tnIJlMRllATOXZX2uCogN">John Etheridge</a> (<a href="spotify:artist:5A0MH7JfEBEMySevsmauds">Soft Machine</a>), and many more. An eponymous album was released by <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Purple+Pyramid%22">Purple Pyramid</a> in 2012.

Eight years later, guitarist, producer, and composer <a href="spotify:artist:03yHgT9AG39a7F2e4Mktor">Fernando Perdomo</a> took the helm. He brought in some of the same players from 2012, but hired others including <a href="spotify:artist:5jhqwsWfRaETrWPWI0Rc7u">Jah Wobble</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:3bBWKHfpepPOychRNFzg4q">Al DiMeola</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:2rNtnZArzMAimcRCnFrwUU">Alphonso Johnson</a>, and <a href="spotify:artist:3JeTATqIkiHIjyrdOyr68t">Jan Akkerman</a>. They issued two full-lengths in 2023. In June, the album A Speedway on Saturn's Rings appeared to acclaim, especially for its single, a cover version of <a href="spotify:artist:0kEfub5RzlZOB2zGomqVSU">Gil Scott-Heron</a>'s "The Bottle" by <a href="spotify:artist:03yHgT9AG39a7F2e4Mktor">Perdomo</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:2OELvPolUUefy9oQNgs8rj">Brian Jackson</a> (who played on the original), <a href="spotify:artist:5K0rbdBrs2tNXe5LeWMATT">Bootsy Collins</a>, and <a href="spotify:artist:0kjCvirhAHq3JMex6bqEBZ">Carmine Appice</a>. A second album, Beautiful Horizon, composed of ten additional tracks from the earlier sessions, featured an expanded cast and appeared in November. ~ Thom Jurek, Rovi