LEE RITENOUR — Rhythm Sessions (2012) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Lee Ritenour's Rhythm Sessions is, in a roundabout way, a companion album to 2010's Six String Theory. For that record, he sought out a slew of guitar greats to celebrate their joint love for the instrument. Here, Ritenour assembles another top-flight cast for a set of tunes that range from fusion to pop, from contemporary jazz to post-bop and more. "The Village" places the guitarist with George Duke, Stanley Clarke, drummer Dave Weckl, and percussionist Munyungo Jackson. The fusion groove is nocturnal, slippery, even bluesy. Kurt Elling joins Dave Grusin, Nathan East, and Will Kennedy for an elegant reading of Nick Drake's "River Man." Ritenour's revisioning of Herbie Hancock's "Fat Albert Rotunda" showcases just how savvy he is at adapting a jazz-funk classic for the 21st century without sacrificing its vigor. The band -- Patrice Rushen on acoustic piano with Debron Johnson on Rhodes, Marcus Miller and Melvin Lee Davis on basses, Rob Bacon on rhythm guitar, and Oscar Seaton on drums -- rock it up a bit while keeping the ensemble and rhythmic interplay fluid, yet firmly in the pocket. Ritenour surprises by including two tunes by the European piano trio E.S.T.: "800 Streets by Feet" and "Spam-Boo-Limbo." In both cases, he uses the harmonic elasticity of the originals to dig inside their hardwired, interlocking grooves. He reveals them as rife for contemporary jazz as well as post-bop. Chick Corea stars on his own shimmering "Children's Song," with Ritenour playing classical guitar augmented by drummer Peter Erskine and Chuck Bergdorfer on bass. This set is not all cover tunes, however; Ritenour contributes three fine compositions -- "July" (a breezy little funk tune with excellent bass work by Melvin Davis), "Rose Pedals" (a crossover classical jazz piece), and "Dolphins Don't Dance" (a limber, Latin-tinged modern jazz tune with Larry Goldings on B-3). The set closer is a reading of Grusin's elegant, R&B-flavored "Punta del Soul," featuring the three young winners of his Six String Theory Guitar & Rhythm Section Competition. Rhythm Sessions underscores Ritenour's ability to place himself in any jazz ensemble -- he's almost chameleon-like -- without sacrificing his unique voice or ability as a soloist. This utterly unique recording in the contemporary jazz genre is a fine showcase for his skills as a bandleader.
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Tracklist :
1.    The Village  5:06
Acoustic Bass – Stanley Clarke
Arranged By – Lee Ritenour
Drums – Dave Weckl
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes], Synthesizer [Moog] – George Duke
Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Percussion – Munyungo Jackson
Synthesizer, Programmed By – Ariel Mann
Written-By – Lee Ritenour
2.    River Man  4:35
Arranged By – Ariel Mann, Dave Grusin, Lee Ritenour
Bass – Nathan East
Drums – Will Kennedy
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes] – Dave Grusin
Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Synthesizer, Programmed By – Ariel Mann
Vocals – Kurt Elling
Written-By – Nick Drake
3.    Fat Albert Rotunda  4:43
Arranged By – Lee Ritenour
Drums – Oscar Seaton
Electric Bass – Marcus Miller, Melvin Lee Davis
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes] – Deron Johnson
Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Percussion – Munyungo Jackson
Piano [Acoustic] – Patrice Rushen
Rhythm Guitar – Rob Bacon
Synthesizer, Programmed By – Ariel Mann
Written-By – Herbie Hancock
4.    800 Streets By Feet  3:25
Acoustic Bass – Christian McBride
Arranged By – Ariel Mann, Lee Ritenour
Drums – Wesley Ritenour
Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Guitar, Keyboards, Synthesizer, Programmed By – Ariel Mann
Written-By – Dan Berglund, Esbörn Svensson, Magnus Öström
5.    Children's Song #1  5:16
Acoustic Bass – Chuck Berghofer
Arranged By – Lee Ritenour
Classical Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Drums – Peter Erskine
Piano – Chick Corea
Piano [Additional] – Alan Pasqua
Synthesizer, Programmed By – Ariel Mann
Written-By – Chick Corea
6.    La By Bike  5:44
Arranged By – Lee Ritenour
Bass – Melvin Lee Davis
Drums – Sonny Emory
Electric Organ [Hammond B3] – Larry Goldings
Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Synthesizer, Programmed By – Ariel Mann
Written-By – Lee Ritenour
7.    Maybe Tomorrow  3:41
Arranged By – Ariel Mann, Lee Ritenour
Bass Guitar – Tal Wilkenfeld
Drums – Vinnie Colaiuta
Engineer [Additional] – R.J. Benjamin
Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Keyboards, Synthesizer, Programmed By – Ariel Mann
Vocals – Zamajobe
Written By – Benjamin Einziger, George Purviance, Paul Fried, Stephanie Eitel
Written-By [Uncredited] – Kelly Jones
8.    Spam-Boo-Limbo 4:01
Arranged By – Ariel Mann, Lee Ritenour
Bass – Tal Wilkenfeld
Drums – Vinnie Colaiuta
Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Piano – John Beasley
Synthesizer, Programmed By – Ariel Mann
Written-By – Dan Berglund, Esbörn Svensson, Magnus Öström
9.    July  4:54
Arranged By – Lee Ritenour
Drums – Sonny Emory
Electric Bass – Melvin Lee Davis
Electric Organ [Hammond B3] – Larry Goldings
Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Synthesizer, Programmed By – Ariel Mann
Written-By – Lee Ritenour
10.    Rose Pedals  3:53
Arranged By – Lee Ritenour
Bass [Yamaha Silet Bass] – Nathan East
Drums – Will Kennedy
Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Piano [Acoustic] – Dave Grusin
Synthesizer, Programmed By – Ariel Mann
Written-By – Lee Ritenour
11.    Dolphins Don't Dance  6:50
Arranged By – Lee Ritenour
Drums – Peter Erskine
Electric Organ [Hammond B3], Pedalboard [Bass Pedals] – Larry Goldings
Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Piano [Acoustic] – Alan Pasqua
Synthesizer, Programmed By – Ariel Mann
Written-By – Lee Ritenour
12.    Punta Del Soul  5:29
Acoustic Bass, Electric Bass – Michael Feinberg
Arranged By – Lee Ritenour
Drums – Selim Munir
Electric Organ [Hammond B3] – Hans De Wild
Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Piano [Acoustic], Arranged By [Additional] – Demetrius Nabors
Written-By – Dave Grusin

AL JARREAU — My Old Friend : Celebrating George Duke (2014) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Al Jarreau got his start playing in a jazz trio led by pianist/keyboardist George Duke, so it is fitting that Jarreau pays tribute to Duke, who passed away in 2013, on his 2014 album My Old Friend: Celebrating George Duke. It was while working as a vocal rehab counselor at a hospital in San Francisco in the late '60s that Jarreau began singing with Duke's trio. It was also due in part to the popularity of these early performances that both musicians' storied solo careers were launched. On My Old Friend: Celebrating George Duke, Jarreau delves into a batch of Duke compositions with a select group of guest artists, many of whom also had connections to Duke. Joining Jarreau here are such luminaries as Gerald Albright, Lalah Hathaway, Jeffrey Osborne, Dianne Reeves, and others. Similarly, backing Jarreau at various times is a superb ensemble of musicians including bassist Stanley Clarke (who also produced the album), keyboardists John Beasley and Patrice Rushen, guitarist Paul Jackson, Jr., and drummer John "J.R." Robinson. In fact, Duke himself makes an appearance here via the wonders of modern technology on the languidly romantic "Bring Me Joy." Elsewhere, Jarreau turns his sonorous, joyful voice to such Duke songs as "Sweet Baby," "No Rhyme, No Reason," "You Touch My Brain," and more. Ultimately, My Old Friend: Celebrating George Duke is a heartfelt tribute album that, as with many of Jarreau and Duke's previous albums, feels fresh, warm, and full of love. Matt Collar  
Tracklist :
1 My Old Friend 4:57
Backing Vocals – Jeffrey Osborne, Katriz Trinidad, Patrick Lundquist, Porcha Clay
Bass – Stanley Clarke
Drums – John Robinson
Featuring – Gerald Albright
Guitar – Paul Jackson Jr.
Keyboards, Piano – Patrice Rushen
Producer – John Burk, Stanley Clarke
Saxophone – Gerald Albright
Vocals – Al Jarreau
Written-By – John Lang, Richard Page, Steve George
2 Someday 4:21
Bass – Marcus Miller
Drums – John Robinson
Featuring – Dianne Reeves
Guitar – Jubu
Keyboards – John Beasley
Producer – John Burk, Marcus Miller
Vocals – Al Jarreau, Dianne Reeves
Written-By – George Duke
3 Churchyheart (Backyard Ritual) 4:56
Bass, Bass Clarinet, Programmed By – Marcus Miller
Drums – John Robinson
Featuring – Marcus Miller
Guitar – Jubu
Keyboards – John Beasley
Lyrics By – Al Jarreau
Music By – George Duke
Producer – John Burk, Marcus Miller
Trumpet – Mike Cotton
Vocals – Al Jarreau
4 Somebossa (Summer Breezin') 4:41
Backing Vocals – Patrick Lundquist
Bass – Stanley Clarke
Drums – John Robinson
Featuring – Gerald Albright
Guitar – Paul Jackson Jr.
Keyboards – Greg Phillinganes
Lyrics By – Al Jarreau, George Duke, Patrick Lundquist
Music By – George Duke
Percussion – Lenny Castro
Producer – John Burk, Stanley Clarke
Saxophone – Gerald Albright
5 Sweet Baby 4:31
Backing Vocals – Patrick Lundquist
Bass, Backing Vocals – Stanley Clarke
Drums – John Robinson
Featuring – Lalah Hathaway
Guitar – Paul Jackson Jr.
Keyboards, Piano – Greg Phillinganes
Percussion – Lenny Castro
Producer – John Burk, Stanley Clarke
Vocals – Al Jarreau, Lalah Hathaway
Written-By – George Duke
6 Every Reason To Smile / Wings Of Love 3:51
Backing Vocals – Fred Martin, Katriz Trinidad, Patrick Lundquist, Porcha Clay
Bass – Stanley Clarke
Drums – John Robinson
Featuring – Jeffrey Osborne
Guitar – Paul Jackson Jr.
Keyboards, Piano – Patrice Rushen
Producer – John Burk, Stanley Clarke
Vocals – Al Jarreau, Jeffrey Osborne
Written-By – George Duke, Jeffrey Osborne, Peter Schless, Stanley Clarke
7 No Rhyme, No Reason 4:05
Drums – Rob Bacon
Featuring – Kelly Price
Keyboards – Brandon Coleman
Percussion – Lenny Castro
Producer – Boney James
Programmed By – Boney James
Vocals – Al Jarreau, Kelly Price
Written-By – George Duke
8 Bring Me Joy 4:36
Bass – Alex Al
Drums – Omari Williams
Featuring – Boney James, George Duke
Guitar – Rob Bacon
Keyboards – George Duke
Percussion – Lenny Castro
Producer – Boney James
Tenor Saxophone – Boney James
Vocals – Al Jarreau
Written-By – George Duke
9 Brazilian Love Affair / Up From The Sea / It Arose And Ate Rio In One Swift Bite 4:46
Backing Vocals – Fred Martin, Katriz Trinidad, Patrick Lundquist, Porcha Clay
Bass – Stanley Clarke
Drums – John Robinson
Featuring – Dianne Reeves
Guitar – Paul Jackson Jr.
Keyboards – Patrice Rushen
Percussion – Lenny Castro
Producer – John Burk, Stanley Clarke
Producer [Additional] – Chris Dunn
Vocals – Al Jarreau, Dianne Reeves
Written-By – George Duke
10 You Touch My Brain 4:44
Backing Vocals – Patrick Lundquist
Bass – Marcus Miller
Drums – John Robinson
Featuring – Dr. John
Guitar – Jubu
Keyboards – John Beasley
Producer – John Burk, Marcus Miller
Vocals – Al Jarreau
Vocals, Piano – Dr. John
Written-By – George Duke