Latest CD releases reviewed

SONNY ROLLINS
Without a Song Milestone ***

Scheduled to play this Boston concert just days after 9/11, Rollins had understandable misgivings about whether it should take place. But they went ahead and, to judge by the recorded results, both players and punters seem to have gotten a sense of release and affirmation in participating. Rollins, by then 70, was not the force he was in his prime, but the tenor saxophonist was still a great player, easily dominating a decent sextet in which pianist Stephen Scott and trombonist Clifton Anderson also featured. The faster and medium-paced pieces (Why Was I Born?, Without a Song, Where or When) and the calypso-like Global Warming are particularly ebullient on an enjoyable, if hardly groundbreaking, album. Ray Comiskey

LINCOLN CENTER JAZZ ORCHESTRA: WYNTON MARSALIS
Don't Be Afraid Palmetto ****

Marsalis continues his repertory thing with the LCJO. This time it's the music of Charles Mingus, arranged for big band by trombonist Ron Westray. In many ways it's an exemplary album by a band that does justice to Westray's skilled and imaginative orchestrations of Dizzy Moods, Black Saint & the Sinner Lady, Meditation on Integration, Tijuana Gift Shop, Los Mariachis and Don't Be Afraid, the Clown's Afraid Too. Fine players abound, including saxophonists Ted Nash, Joe Temperley and Victor Goines. The powerhouse trumpet section includes Marsalis, Lew Soloff, Ryan Kisor and Marcus Printup and the trombones feature Vincent Gardner, Andre Hayward and Westray. This is an exceptional group. What's missing is what can't be duplicated: the volcanic spirit of the composer. Four stars for the writing. www.palmetto-records.com Ray Comiskey

MIKE LEDONNE
Nightsong Savant ***

LeDonne is a seasoned, immensely skilful pianist, schooled in the mainstream bop idiom; the kind of superior craftsman whose gifts might sometimes be taken for granted. Here he's in his favourite trio setting, this time with Ron Carter (bass) and Joe Farnsworth (drums), swinging propulsively through a programme of originals by the leader, John Coltrane, Herbie Hancock and Duke Ellington. A few standards (Alone Together, I Should Care), further seasoned by Stevie Wonder's Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing, flavour the mix. The approach is piano-led; LeDonne doesn't favour the more interactive dialogue of trios led by, say, Brad Mehldau, Enrico Pieranunzi or Lynne Arriale. But, within its frame of reference, it works well and the trio can groove as one. www.harmoniamundi.com