The Complete Imperial Sessions
All things considered, the late alto player Sonny Criss didn't record as much as his talent warranted, especially in the early part of his career, and much of what he did record stayed out of print for too long. This double disc rectifies that situation, collecting all three 1956 albums originally made for the R&B; label Imperial. Criss's forte was his ability to combine technical facility with emotional force, and his rather robust yet sharp tone remains distinct. His style seemed to balance elements of bebop and R&B; adeptly. The first album here,Jazz U.S.A., features guitaristBarney Kesselon four songs (including a nifty "Alabamy Bound" and the original "Criss Cross") and pianistKenny Drew.Go Man!boasts a stellar rhythm section ofSonny Clark,Leroy Vinnegar, and Lawrence Marable. Clark and Marable return with vibist Larry Bunker for the final all-Cole Porter album. Like, say, guitaristGrant Green, Criss was able to build a wonderful reputation without straying from the basic blues-bop-and-ballads template. Yet, in a way, that was also his best quality, always seeming to play exactly what you want to hear--and playing it with fluency and feeling.--Marc Greilsamer