Bruce Von Stiers

Lee Ritenour is one of Smooth Jazz most popular guitarists. He has released 29 recordings over a career that has spanned 26 years. Now Lee has released his 30th recording, an album called Rit’s House. It was released on GRP Records.

There are twelve songs on the album. Some are laid back smooth jazz and at least one will remind you of a classic jazz jam session.

Helping Lee out on the album are such talents as George Duke on Fender Rhodes, Vinnie Colaiuta on drums and Dan Higgins on tenor sax. Other musicians on the album include Paulinho Da Costa, Jerry Hey, Alan Paasqua, Ernie Watts and a few more.

Module 105 is the first song on the album. It has a nice Latin beat to start out with, and then moves on into a smooth waterfall effect. Then we hear the bebop licks of Lee’s guitar.

13 begins with a bossa nova kind of twist then goes into some peaks and valleys of combined guitar, trumpet and sax work. Mizrab is an exotic piece that reminded me a little of something that might be done by an artist on the Narada or Windam Hill new age labels or maybe a tune that Chuck Mangione might do.

78th & 3rd is one of those classic types of songs that I mentioned earlier. You can just imagine Lee and the rest of the group playing this song in a smoke filled club in Chicago, Kansas City or L.A.

Rit’s House is the title cut from the album. It is a laid back tune that reminds you of bobbing down the sidewalk with not a care in the world. A Little Dolphin Dreamin’ features some nice tenor sax work.

Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic is a different arrangement on the song by Sting and the Police. What is really surprising, and wonderful, is that Michael McDonald does the vocals for this song. His unique voice makes this remake a success.

Condor is a colorful variation of the song that Dave Grusin did for the Three Days of the Condor movie. Olinda is a different kind of tune in that it uses Indian Flutes and some interesting synthesizer music in it.

Midnight Owl made me think of a cool cat walking down an alley late at night after leaving a jazz club. Party Time is another one of those classic style of jazz tunes. The last song on the album is Just Listen. It is a light tune that finishes up the album nicely.

Rit’s House is a great album. It combines classic jazz music with some of today’s popular smooth jazz sound. I especially liked the Michael McDonald inclusion and the Condor song. But I also really enjoyed the classically styled Party Time. Rit’s House has a little bit of everything for the jazz guitar fan.

You can find Rit’s House in the Jazz section at most music retailers. Check out the GRP Records web site for additional information about the album. Their web site is www.grp.com.