TURN-ONS AND TURN-OFFS IN CURRENT HOME ENTERTAINMENT RELEASES : Excellent Good Fair Poor : COMPACT DISCS

“Denon Jazz Sampler, Vol. 1.” Denon. AAD (analog original). Taped between 1969 and this year, the 14 cuts total 72 1/2 minutes of generally estimable performances. Highlights: Chick Corea as leader (“Waltz for Bill Evans”) and sideman (with Eddie Gomez); Buddy Rich, rocking with a big band and swinging with a combo; Lee Konitz in a rare orchestral setting; Lionel Hampton at his small-group best; Art Farmer, Carmen McRae, Hank Jones; four cuts made in Tokyo with American and Japanese musicians. Unlike most samplers, this has something for most contemporary tastes without spreading itself too thin. 1/2