NEW RELEASES : In Brief

* * Johnny Griffin, “Dance of Passion,” Antilles. Griffin’s compositions and pianist Michael Weiss’ arrangements are showcased on a set performed by a seven-piece ensemble--the front line features tenor saxophone, French horn, trombone and tuba. Most of the works are pleasant melodic variations on mainstream sounds, with traces of Art Blakey and Gil Evans drifting through the arrangements. High points are Griffin’s crisply rhythmic solos and Steve Turre’s ever-fascinating takes on jazz trombone tradition.

New albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor) to four stars (excellent).