Details

Field of Interest

Jazz

Content Type

Music recording

Duration

57 mins

Format

Audio

Sub Genre

Contemporary Jazz, Smooth Jazz, Guitar Jazz

Label

GRP Records

Performer

Lee Ritenour, 1952-, John Beasley, 1960-, Dave Carpenter, 1959-2008, Vinnie Colaiuta, 1956-, Paulinho Da Costa, 1948-, Melvin Davis, fl. 1996, Joey DeFrancesco, 1971-, George Duke, 1946-2013, Peter Erskine, 1954-, Gary Grant, Jerry Hey, Dan Higgins, Mitch Holder, fl. 1974, Will Kennedy, 1957-, Randy Kerber, 1958-, Byron Landham, 1969-, Michael McDonald, Marcus Miller, 1959-, Alan Pasqua, 1952-, Bill Reichenbach Jr., 1949-, Ernie Watts, 1945-

UPC (Physical)

00731458982524

Release Date

2002-08-27

Review

Creatively, Lee Ritenour has had his ups and downs over the years. Many of the guitarist's commercial pop-jazz efforts have wasted his skills as an improviser; when Ritenour is catering to NAC/smooth jazz radio, improvisation is the usually the first thing to go. But when Ritenour does have a chance to stretch out, he can be an appealing improviser. Although quite accessible, Rit's House is among his more memorable and substantial efforts. This 2002 release has a soul-jazz/post-bop outlook that often recalls the late '60s and early '70s; for the most part, it is the sort of album that guitarist Grant Green would have been comfortable recording during that era. But Ritenour's guitar playing owes a lot more to Wes Montgomery, who is obviously his primary influence on Gabor Szabo's "Mizrab," as well as original tunes like "78th & 3rd" (which features organist Joey DeFrancesco) and the dusky "Olinda." One of the CD's best tracks has nothing to do with jazz: "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic." Featuring former Doobie Brothers vocalist Michael McDonald, this interesting remake of the Police's 1981 hit is not only a departure from the rest of the album -- it is also a big departure from the original version. While the Police's version was up-tempo pop/rock, Ritenour and McDonald transform "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" into an adult contemporary/quiet storm ballad. That track is the CD's only vocal offering; the rest of Rit's House is instrumental. Arguably, 1992's Wes Bound is still Ritenour's best studio album -- certainly from a jazz perspective. But this CD is also respectable, and those who enjoyed hearing the guitarist stretching out on that mostly straightahead disc will also find a lot to enjoy about Rit's House. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide

Subject

Jazz, Music & Performing Arts, Contemporary Jazz, Smooth Jazz, Guitar Jazz, Jazz Contemporáneo, Jazz Contemporâneo, Smooth Jazz, Jazz de Guitarra, Guitar Jazz

Keywords and Translated Subjects

Jazz Contemporáneo, Jazz Contemporâneo, Smooth Jazz, Jazz de Guitarra, Guitar Jazz