ALBUM REVIEW : *** STAN GETZ “Apasionado” <i> A & M Records</i> :<i> Albums are rated from five stars (a classic) to one star (poor). </i>

Three stars for Getz and pianist Kenny Barron, who bring vigor and life to some settings that often have the chilly atmosphere of a Chirico landscape. No stars to producer Herb Alpert for failing to provide Getz with material best suited to his skills. As one of the great, intuitive chordal improvisers in jazz history, the saxophonist always has done his best work with songs that allow him to stretch out, through and around complex harmonic charts.

What he usually gets here instead are repetitious ostinatos, vamps and extended pedal notes. The sole exception is Mike Lang’s lovely ballad, “Lonely Lady,” and Getz makes the most of it. More often, he is forced to dig down and provide his own harmonic paraphrasing. Too bad. Getz is in fine form, playing with energy and enthusiasm. But he should have been given warmer, more understanding support.