***1/2 THE COMPLETE ATLANTIC RECORDINGS OF LENNIE TRISTANO, LEE KONITZ, AND WARNE MARSH

(Mosaic)

Presenting the entire Atlantic catalogue of pianist Tristano and his two most prominent students -- saxophonists Konitz and Marsh -- is an inspired idea. There's enough passionate, hard-driving music here to dispel the old notions that Tristano didn't swing and was too cerebral. And the charges that his concepts inhibited sidemen seem ridiculous given the depth and breadth of expression exhibited by Konitz and Marsh. As usual, Mosaic does an exhaustive job, unearthing previously unreleased tracks, and including thorough documentation in the accompanying booklet.

Several of the sessions in this six-CD set are genuine landmarks. The Tristano trio session on which the blind pianist multitracks himself includes the hypnotically surging "Line Up" and "Turkish Mambo." A Tristano solo date offers an intriguing look at his rich harmonic vocabulary, his subtle sense of time, and his flowing Baroque lines. And the 1955 Konitz/Marsh date is an absolute classic, with Konitz the relentless melodicist meshing perfectly with Marsh the harmonic architect. Filling two CDs alone, a live Tristano quartet date with Konitz makes for fascinating if somewhat uneven listening. Other sessions -- like a rare Konitz outing on tenor and a Warne Marsh date -- are welcome but no more than career sidelights. Write to Mosaic Records, 35 Melrose Place, Stamford, Connecticut 06902, or call (203) 327-7111.

-- Ed Hazell