NEW LPs, OLD FAVORITES: TATUM, GILLESPIE, PARKER . . .

“HOMECOMING.” Eddie Harris/Ellis Marsalis. Spindletop STP 105. The senior Marsalis, a long underrated pianist, teams with the veteran saxophonist in a set that finds them generally compatible. Marsalis’ accompaniment to the solos by Harris is so buoyantly sensitive that one never misses the rhythm section. There are free-jazz exploration on “Ethereal Moments” and “Zee Blues,” with Harris indulging in squeak-and-squeal routines, but the most ingenious and successful cuts are “Darn That Dream” and “Have You Met Miss Jones,” on both of which Harris and Marsalis sedulously avoid the melodies, using only the harmonic patterns, until the final chorus, when Harris hints at “Dream” and actually plays “Jones.” An intriguing and diversified collaboration. 4 stars.