In Brief

** 1/2 CLAUS OGERMAN “Claus Ogerman featuring Michael Brecker,” GRP Records. A promising combination that never quite comes together, with Ogerman’s Gil Evans-like orchestral textures doing little more than providing a blanket of sound for some very long-winded Brecker tenor saxophone solos. Despite the presence of such contemporary jazz luminaries as Randy Brecker, Marcus Miller, Eddie Gomez and Vinnie Colaiuta, the album has a poorly directed lack of focus that makes many of Ogerman’s all-original pieces appear to be wandering in circles. “Boulevard Tristesse,” featuring Robben Ford on guitar, is one exception.