NEW RELEASES : In Brief

** 1/2 James Moody, “Honey,” Novus/RCA. At age 66, Moody remains a cheerfully creative innovator. He makes a surprise switch to soprano sax on several cuts, showing the same mastery he has long displayed on other horns. “It Might as Well Be Spring” is a duet on alto sax with the propulsive pianist Kenny Barron; “Look Into My Eyes” pairs Moody’s tenor with Todd Coolman’s bass.

Albums are rated on a scale of one asterisk (poor) to five (a classic).