‘Mandy’s Secret’ is a fine entry point into this fundamentally solid, funky jazz ensemble from Sweden, Beat Funktion.

Devon Allman puts an Allman Brothers groove on this Lee Roy Parnell tune, while remaining very much his own man.

Form And Mess thrives on the extreme limits of rock and jazz.

Though Dylan Ryan Sand is a small band, they create a big sound; though the songs are short, they’re complete musical statements. ‘Circa’ makes a lot out of a little.

This goes much farther out than the celebrated rock music of its time.

‘The Signal’ is bold, personal and completely lucid audio art from Elizabeth Shepherd. It wouldn’t be overstating it at all to assert that this is the most important vocal jazz record of 2014.

Leading by example, Wadada Leo Smith inspired Saft, Morris and Pandi to reach even deeper into themselves as well. Group improv like you’ve never heard it before.

Unfailingly fresh, incalculable and rewarding, Peripheral Vision is giving jazz the swift kick in the pants that it needs. ‘Sheer Tyranny Of Will’ is sheer inventive talent on display.

25 years in, Perelman shows no sign of slowing down or running out of ideas.

Joe Bonamassa’s new batch of songs points up the fact that the blues does come in so many different shades. And all of it is good.