Rit's House
The old Rit is back! His smiling, swaggering guitar-playing alter ego has resurfaced, and he's invited all his friends over for a tumultuous jam, includingGeorge Duke,Marcus Miller, andPeter Erskine. Red-hot organistJoey DeFrancescobrings theWes Montgomeryout of Ritenour on the corner of "78th & 3rd," and a killer overhaul ofDave Grusin's movie theme "Three Days of the Condor," re-titled "Condor," is a reminder that Rit was kicking the smooth jazz before they had a name for it. Some beboppers already know that Ritenour is quite capable in that genre, too. In case they've forgotten, he's gotLee Morgan's "Party Time" andGary McFarland's nice Brazilian piece, "13."Michael McDonaldsings aStingsong, and the guitarist's buddy,Ernie Wattsis back on sax on "A Little Dolphin Dreamin'," a tune that harkens back to their old fusion days. There's no themes or long-form tributes; everyone is just having a great time and it sounds like it.Rit's Houseis the guitarist 30th album, but it's the first "real" Lee Ritenour record in a long time.--Mark Ruffin