Smoke ‘n’ Mirrors Cover

The common thread throughout Lee Ritenour’s CD, Smoke ‘n’ Mirrors, is the organic flavor of the music. We are treated to hand played percussion instruments, an acoustic guitar, acoustic piano, acoustic bass and flute. You will encounter tablas, congas, bongos and hand claps.

While reviewing a Lee Ritenour album one would think that you would spend most of the time focusing on his always magnificent guitar work. This disc has so many sparkling performances from numerous musicians and several vocalists that focusing solely on Ritenour is impossible.

Songs such as “Southwest Passage” will leave you begging for more. Dave Grusin’s original composition presents us with a kaleidoscope of colors. Ritenour’s acoustic guitar and Grusin’s excellent acoustic piano chops share a tete a tete. The antithesis to Grusin and Ritenour’s more ethereal vibes is provided by the percussion grooves of Alex Acuna and Paulinho De Costa. John Paititucci’s acoustic bass contributes to the organic sound.

Daniel Jobim the grandson of the chief architect for Brazilian Bossa Nova music Tom Jobim provides smooth Portuguese vocals for his original composition “Blue Days”. He is joined by the beautiful female vocals of someone we only know as Joyce. I do not speak Portuguese so I am not sure what the words are saying but it sounded all very romantic to me. The acoustic quintet from the previous songs is joined by flutist Danilo Caymmi. With beautiful arrangements equally matched by his keyboard work it is obvious Daniel Jobim has inherited the family genes.

Alas, I must tell you Ritenour as he usually does lays down only magnificent riffs on his electric and acoustic guitars. His work on “Spellbinder” demonstrates once again why he is considered one of the world’s foremost jazz guitarists. Indian percussionist Satnam Ramgotra is splendid on the tablas.

Most good CDs have an unexpected treasure and Smoke ‘n’ Mirrors has one about which it can boast. “Memeza” features the lovely vocals of Zamajobe native to the township of Vosloorus near Johannesburg South Africa. It is immediately evident why this young woman has received multiple nominations for music awards in her home country. Memeza was co-written by Zamajobe and Kanesha Kamwendo. Backup vocalists are Phutuma Tiso and Nondumiso Zondeki. Ritenour’s son Wesley makes his debut on drums.

Zamajobe reappears on the Bill Withers/Skip Scarborough song “Lovely Day”. This time she is vocally supported by Erik Pilani Paliani and Tita Lima. The song features Ritenour’s instrumental arrangements and vocal arrangements by Paliani.

As Ritenhour fingers the fretboard of his electric guitar, he provides a sprightly entrance to “Forget Me Nots”. His riff is supported by moody bass work from Melvin Davis and the Fender Rhodes chops of Patrice Rushen. Davis and Rushen play off one another creating a subtle instrumental call and response.

We would be remiss if we did not mention some of the other talented musicians that appear on Smoke ‘n’ Mirrors. West African bassist Richard Bona lays down the bassline for several tunes. Bona’s scatting on the last track “Storms” is incredible. Sheila E. plays the korg wave drum, an interesting instrument that combines an acoustic drumhead and digital waves. She also can be heard providing a more traditional percussion groove. Drummer Vinnie Colaiuta is his always outstanding self behind the drums.

I rarely draw influence from another reviewer but one writer referred to this album as “timeless” and I have to agree. This is the most innovative jazz album I have listened to this year.

• Title: Smoke ‘n’ Mirrors
• Artist: Lee Ritenour
• Label: Peak Records
• Released: August 22, 2006
• Length: 14 Tracks / 1:06:00