Portrait of Sonny Criss
by Scott Yanow Sonny Criss' second of seven Prestige albums (which has been reissued on CD under the OJC imprint) finds the passionate altoist using the same rhythm section as on the earlier date: pianist Walter Davis, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Alan Dawson. Criss is in fine form on five jazz standards (including a heated "Wee" and an emotional version of "Smile") plus Davis' gospel-ish "A Million or More Times." An excellent outing.