<<< Part Three, Whack Jazz In the final piece of these exhaustive, four-part salutes to the top releases of 2012, the fusion jazz records are surveyed.

Another New Music Monday, another truckload of cool sounds — this time from the likes of John Hiatt, Lee Ritenour, Medeski Martin and Wood, Shemekia Copeland, Iron Maiden’s Steve Harris and the Gaddabouts, among others.

Saxophonist, flautist and composer Tia Fuller has stated that “the Beyoncé gig has helped me to really appreciate the artistry and freedom that we have in jazz,” a conclusion borne out of five years performing in the pop diva’s band.