get the parent of the node returned by current() funci

does it has something like parent() which returns the parent of the
node returned by current() funcion.

I have to use within a select expression of <xsl:sort> element.,
I have to get the information of current()' parent within the context
of other node.
i tried using .. , parent::* , but they are behaving with reference to
the other node, and not with reference to the node returned by
current() node.

Thanks,
Jagsmiles.