Lee Ritenour - Wes Bound (1993)

Track List:
1. Wes Bound
2. Boss City
3. 4 On 6
4. Little Bumpin’, A
5. Waiting In Vain
6. Goin’ To Detroit
7. New Day, A
8. Ocean Ave.
9. Road Song
10. West Coast Blues

This album was my first exposure to both Lee Ritenour and Wes Montgomery. Who could ask for anything more? Ritenour gives a stunning tribute to one of the greatest jazz guitarists ever to fret a chord. Montgomery always seemed to be playing effortlessly while always keeping the listener entertained by his rhythms and solos.

Ritenour splits the album by covering Montgomery for half the songs and spends the other half composing songs in the style of Montgomery. Ritenour's covers have a bit of artistic freedom as he colors the songs to his own style of playing. This album sounds more like a tribute to Ritenour's hero instead of someone flat out copying the songs note for note.

All of these songs are strictly instrumental (except for "Waiting In Vain", which really doesn't fit in with the other songs of the album). Ritenour's licks are fast, varied and entertaining. He has the classic L5 sound throughout the album that just screams jazz. The backing band gives the album more of a smooth jazz feeling, but Ritenour's playing stands out. by Russell Diederich

Personnel:
Lee Ritenour - Guitar, Electronic percussion
Bob James - Piano
Melvin Davis - Bass
Gary Novak - Drums
Harvey Mason - Drums, Percussion
Dave Witham - Organ
Ronnie Foster - Organ
Cassio Duarte - Percussion
Alan Broadbent - Piano
John Patitucci - Acoustic Bass
John Beasley - Keyboards
Gary Grant - trumpet, flugelhorn
Dan Higgins - tenor & alto saxophone; flute, alto flute, bass clarinet
Bill Reichenbach - trombone, bass trombone
Carmen Twillie - background vocals