Lee Ritenour - Rhythm Sessions

Rhythm Sessions, Lee Ritenour's latest project, follows the pattern that the legendary guitarist took on 2010's 6 String Theory. Ritenour brings together an all-star list of instrumentalists and vocalists, as well as rising artists who won Ritenour's instrumental competition. Proud papa Ritenour also shares the spot light with his son, drummer Wesley Ritenour on one of the album’s tracks. The resulting record represents the best of what can happen when a cast of elite musicians comes together.

In most musical genres there’s no guarantee that this type of all-star lineup creates good music. A mash up of egos and musical styles can result in a project that lacks focus. That is rarely a problem with jazz musicians; they regularly work with people who are elite musicians at worst and at best, legendary. Rhythm Sessions sports a lineup of elite and legendary performers on each of the album's 12 tracks, including George Duke, Kurt Elling, Nathan East, Stanley Clarke and Patrice Rushen.

One of the standouts on a record filled with good moments is "River Man."   The arrangement here maintains the slow waltz melody of Nick Drake's original, while also expanding the musical playing field. Drake’s 1969 original was highlighted by the singer/songwriter’s soft tenor vocals floating above an arrangement featuring acoustic guitar and violins. The cover included on Rhythm Sessions maintains the dreamy arrangement, but also includes nuanced improvisation by Dave Grusin on the keyboards, as well as Ritenour's blues influenced licks on the guitar. Kurt Elling's baritone provides "River Man" with a jazz/soul feel that distinguishes the tune from the pop/folk sound of Drake's vocals

Rhythm Sessions provides plenty of opportunities for his talented sidemen and women to showcase their skills. Bassist Marcus Miller is at his funky best on the Herbie Hancock classic "Fat Albert Rotunda." The work of Patrice Rushen and Deron Johnson on the piano and Fender Rhodes captures the energy of 1970s jazz/funk fusion that was the trademark of the Headhunters.

Once again, Ritenour, appears energized by the chance to work with such a group of talented artists. On 6 String Theory, Ritenour relished the opportunity to perform with legendary jazz, blues and rock guitarists, and that same joy comes through when the Ritenour collaborates with the diverse roster of A-list artists featured on Rhythm Sessions. He moves effortlessly from the blues influenced solos on "L.A. By Bike" to the up tempo fingering on the Afro-Caribbean "Spam-Boo-Limbo."

Ritenour estimates that he has released 45 albums. That number does not include his work as a sideman with legends such as Dizzy Gillespie and Lalo Schifrin. The guitarist says that the prospect of releasing a new album still excites him. Maintaining the passion is not always an easy thing to do, and plenty of veteran artists are too willing to mail it in. However, 6 String Theory and Rhythm Sessions mark Ritenour as an artist who remains dedicated to creating music that is technically challenging that also manages to be entertaining. Recommended

By Howard Dukes