NEW RELEASES : In Brief

*** Nick Brignola, “What It Takes,” Reservoir. Best known as a baritone saxophonist, Brignola adds clarinet and soprano and alto saxophones to his soloing repertoire on this hard-swinging, straight-ahead album. At least as noteworthy as his multi-horn versatility is the superb rhythm section of bassist Rufus Reid, drummer Dick Berk and pianist Kenny Barron.

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