ALBUM REVIEWS

* * 1/2 Charles Lloyd, Cedar Walton, Buster Williams, Billy Higgins, “Acoustic Masters I,” Atlantic. This is a quartet of masters and everything they do here--four of the eight selections are from saxophonist Lloyd with one each from pianist Walton, bassist Williams and drummer Higgins with an obscure Thelonious Monk tune thrown in for good measure--is executed in masterly fashion, both individually and collectively. What’s missing is a sense of purpose. Though Lloyd’s tenor retains its fine, inquisitive character, the overall effect falls short when compared to the explorative, often mystical direction carried by the saxophonist’s own group. What’s left is a swell supersession that smacks of marketing rather than artistic aspirations.

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