1) if you work with VFP9, try SET ENGINEBEHAVIOR 70before the SELECT. If it solves the problem you'll have to change the command. Can you try it ?
2) you have no alias in the field's names so do not write one in the group by clause so it's "group by release_no"
3) I am not sure 100% but if you have a group by it's should be automatically ordered without the need of the order by clause.
The Foxil