In Brief

** Charlie Sexton Sextet, “Under the Wishing Tree,” MCA. Texan Sexton, hindered in the past by attempts to turn his cheekbones and guitar chops into teen-stardom, lacks focus in his quest for his own artistic voice. While his ambitious musical and spiritual reach are admirable, his one-of-the-guys stance leads to excessive jamming and the sacrifice of distinctive vision.

New albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (excellent).