NEW RELEASES : In Brief

* * 1/2 GRP All-Star Big Band, “Live!,” GRP. With such sidemen as Eddie Daniels, Gary Burton, Randy Brecker, Arturo Sandoval, John Patitucci, etc., the “all-star” label is a legitimate one. Despite generally excellent soloing and precise section work, there are two problems: Dave Weckl’s too-busy drumming allows almost no air into the music; and--as with many all-star groups--there is a complete lack of ensemble personality.

New albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (excellent).