Lee Ritenour - On The Line (1983)

Ritenour may be the most technically adept guitarist on the planet which often makes him fun to listen to. Here, however, the songwriting turns into a so-so blend of smooth jazz and LA studio rock with the occasional synth drum and bass. That's too bad because Rit puts on a show at times. Another mistake was recording this CD direct-to-disk. The lack of overdubbing and studio editing leaves us with a few uninspired and out of tune solos, mainly from saxophonist Ernie Watts, who I would normally consider one of the better session musicians of the era. Let's just say on this release, Rit's songwriting skills didn't measure up to his playing skills.

Reviews/ratings:

• Billboard: "Smooth, easygoing funk-jazz"
• The Rolling Stone Jazz & Blues Album Guide (1999): ★★
• The Virgin Encyclopedia of Jazz (1999): ★★★

This GRP CD was released in 1985, but the album was originally released in 1983 on the Elektra/Musician label with this cover:

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: Did not chart
• Billboard Jazz: #12
• CashBox Jazz: #3
• Radio & Records Jazz Radio National Airplay: #5

Tracks: Of the 8 here, the only ones worth ripping to the computer are Starbright and Dolphin Dreams, which is a rehash from Ritenour's 1977 album, Captain Fingers. The Rit Variations, Heavenly Bodies, and Pedestrian are to be avoided.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: none

Previously revisited for the blog:
Rio (1979)