The future of jazz looks blindingly bright.

Summer time is here and we could go for a sunny groove, right? Cue up the sounds of beach-lovin’, LA-based Norwegian saxophonist Terje Lie.

Here are the seven best albums outside of realm of jazz so far in 2014. So says me.

From a punk attitude comes jazz aptitude; Gorilla Mask does it again.

Ready or not, here comes 2013’s Monk International Competition saxophone winner Melissa Aldana. ‘Melissa Aldana & Crash Trio’ marks a solid first step in the post-Big Win phase of her young career.

It was a long stretch between Gene Segal’s first and second albums but ‘Mental Images’ assures that the intervening time was time was spent.

Michael Dease’s big band take on “Roppongi” breathes new life into this little-noticed Randy Brecker gem.

Wolfgang Muthspiel has just begun with ECM but ‘Driftwood’ has the style and sonority of an old vet with the label. This sounds like the beginning of a beautiful relationship.

Three contemporary jazz titans have some good, clean fun with their renowned polish left intact.

‘Lookin’ Up!’ is simply damned good, no-nonsense, straight-ahead jazz carried out with veteran proficiency.