In Brief

* * * Rickey Woodard, “Night Mist,” Fresh Sounds. Although not a major innovator, Woodward clearly was inspired by some of the early tenor sax giants. Opening with a lyrical treatment of “I Remember Clifford,” he deals with everything from a fast blues (“Billie’s Bounce”) to a bossa nova (Luis Bonfa’s “Gentle Rain”) to an original by Nat Adderley, “Teaneck.” The concluding cut, “Night Mist,” has Woodard switching to alto. He is splendidly accompanied throughout by pianist Eric Reed, Tony Dumas on bass and Roy McCurdy on drums.

Items in this periodic survey of albums, books, videocassettes and laser discs are rated on a scale of one star (poor) to four (excellent).