This is Criss! (1966)

Criss was another figure who never got recognition he deserved, though he has always had a fervent cult following. Of all the altoists who came up in the shadow of Charlie Parker; he was the most commanding blues player. For this 1966 recording, This is Criss!, he was accompanied by a superb rhythm section, and from the first notes of ''Black Coffee,'' his gorgeoulsy expressive sound transforms the program of standard songs and blues, including a quietly mesmerizing rendition of ''Sunrise, Sunset.'' A-