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.

With Taj Mahal and Keb Mo’s ‘Tajmo,’ you have two folk/blues legends, two generations – and one marvelous meeting.

Every song from Taj Mahal’s ‘Maestro,’ released on Sept. 30, 2008, was a change up. He’s a Swiss Army knife of the blues.

Eric Bibb’s civil rights blues manifesto ‘Blues People’ is poignant, and also entertaining.

John Mellencamp’s top billing owes more to his work with writer Stephen King on the narrative that would become a play called Ghost Brothers of Darkland County. He sings just once here, giving the album over to a host of guest stars You May Also Like: John Mellencamp’s ‘Freedom’s Road’Read More

Turns out Levon Helm had one more inspiring moment to give. The former singer and drummer of the Band helped facilitate a new all-star recording commemorating 50 years of Amnesty International in the time before cancer took his life. Nearly 50 artists contributed to this project, including Kris Kristofferson, WarrenRead More