I walked away wondering how I’d missed Dark Hound’s first two albums. It’s an oversight that I intend to correct immediately.

The baker’s dozen in this Best of 2017 list reveals that fusion jazz has expanded and diversified way past its ‘Bitches Brew’-era beginnings.

None of the great talent assembled here gets stretched near their limits for this Desertion Trio excursion, but this diversion is for an altogether different mood.

Put together by Mighty Shamrocks veteran Mickey Stephens, the Poor Blue’s ‘Wasteground’ is a rootsy, autobiographical tour de force.

Here’s the part of the annual Best of 2017 lists that’s the most fun to pull together.

It was easy to find jazz records that deserved a year-end salute; maybe ‘too’ easy. The heavy lifting came from figuring out which stood above the rest for this Best of 2017 list.

“Anna (Go to Him)” impacted the Beatles’ songwriting, and Arthur Alexander’s heartfelt vocal style influenced John Lennon’s intensely personal performances.

I saw body surfing up close at this Motorhead show, almost became an unwilling member in a mosh pit, and escaped unscathed. Who could ask for more?

Even in my jazz-centric world, I can come upon enough standout non-jazz records to put together a decent-sized Best of 2017 list.

Projekt Gemineye’s ‘A Brand New Day’ is a great continuation of 2017’s ‘An Ordinary Day,’ with a more guitar-centered progressive hard-rock core.