Endgame Brilliance: Constellation & Tune-Up
Of all the saxophonists that would be touched deeply by the genius ofCharlie Parker, Sonny Stitt came away from the experience indelibly marked.Endgame Brilliancefinds Stitt decades removed from Parker, recording in 1972, fronting a ready-to-rumble quartet rounded out by pianistBarry Harris, bassist Sam Jones, and either Alan Dawson orRoy Brookson drums. They play with palpable sizzle on both the sessions here (originally released on Muse Records asConstellationandTune Up!), tackling an array of bop cornerstones and more. Stitt blazes through the title track to "Tune Up," alerting the ears that he's not one to pull punches. But he also plays with late-night romance in his heart on "(I Don't Stand) A Ghost of a Chance with You" and strutting soul in his hips on "By Accident." In all, the 15 tracks ofEndgame Brillianceamount to a primer on bop, blues, and balladry at once. It's some of Stitt's finest playing on record, and all of it comes off as an extended simple, inspired, game-winning jump shot.--Andrew Bartlett