Smoke N Mirrors

Lee Ritenour | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 22, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Peak Records
• ASIN: B000G8P1JQ
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #59,700 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

As comfortable as guitarist Lee Ritenour has always been in the smooth jazz format, he has strived to go beyond it with his embrace of world music and serious jazz stylists including Wes Montgomery. Smoke 'N' Mirrors is a characteristic production in gathering up a sizable cast of contemporary cronies including Patrice Rushen, Dave Grusin, Richard Bona and Abraham Laboriel, but Ritenour's involvement in South African and Brazilian music and his emphasis on acoustic guitar give it a fresh identity. The wistful "Blue Days (Dias Azuis)," written and arranged by Daniel Jobim, son of Antonio Carlos, and featuring the singer Joyce, is one of the album's highlights. The young South African vocalist Zamajobe, featured on three songs, is a real discovery. You may wish Ritenour had stayed on ethnic turf and saved the more familiar, keyboard-sweetened fare for another album. Or you may enjoy the variety of Smoke 'N' Mirrors, which ranges percussively from Sheila E.'s congas to Satnam Ramgotra's Indian tablas. --Lloyd Sachs

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In a class of his own!, August 23, 2006

By 

Nicholas Kalenze (Tallahassee, Fl United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Smoke N Mirrors (Audio CD)

"Smoke N' Mirrors" is a very diversified record with so much heart and soul. Lee Ritenour has really defined the art of guitar playing in so many different ways. What's unique about this record is that there are a total of 12 different guitars used ranging from Electric, Baritone, Acoustic Steel and Nylon string guitars. I have heard all of Ritenour's cds in the past, and yes I am a big fan. Ritenour never fails to expand new horizons on the guitar or in the world of jazz music. This record showcases his talent as a real musician, and it's one of his most passionate records to date.

This is not your typical smooth jazz cd. Yes, there are some smooth jazz tunes such as the title track. This track is very reminisent of something heard from his earlier days with the super group Fourplay. I love how Ritenour brings in musicians such as Dave Grusin, Daniel Jobim, and even some newcomers like his son and Zamajobe. What an effort!

I think this cd could grow on anybody. It's very acoustic sounding to me, and it's truly another sensational effort by one of today's most evolved and accomplished jazz musicians. For most Ritenour fans, you will not be disappointed. Ritenour is in a very elite group of jazz musicians in my opinion, and this cd showcases some of his finest songwriting and skills to date! Please check out this cd!

Nick Kalenze

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Completely different, completely fantasic!, September 2, 2006

By 

21and12 "21and12" (Vestavia Hills, AL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Smoke N Mirrors (Audio CD)

The latest CD by Rit, "Smoke n' Mirrors," is a musical journey from which you don't want to leave! Influenced by his recent trips to South Afica, and by his son's interest in percussion instruments, this album cooks from beginning to end. Unlike many guitarists who deconstruct songs so that the melody is lost, there are times I think Rit is a song-writer like Burt Bacharach - but with a guitar. The album has a little of everything without losing continuity. The title track sets the tone. The hand-clapping toward the end is pulsating! Then, Capetown begins with a James Taylor-like acoustic guitar intro and morphs into a South Afican vibe with a splash of funk. Rit cranks of the volume; the scorching octave volume on "Spellbinder"; the electric volume on "Motherland" (which would be awesome music set to highlights of, say, the Tour de France; and the Al Di Meola-like volume on "4 1/2 Storm" with bassist Richard Bona adding scat vocals! Want to joyfully journey back to the 80s? "Forget Me Nots" does just that!

Buy this and be happily fulfilled!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lee in 2006, October 11, 2006

By 

H. Davis "Jazzman" (Denver, Colorado) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Smoke N Mirrors (Audio CD)

I've been listening to Lee Ritenour since the early 80's and love most everything he has done. This CD brings back some memories of older days which frankly I prefer and the sound quality is amazing. Several of the songs are dashboard banging upbeat tunes that are very unique, uplifting and infectous. Highly recomend. My only question to Lee is when are you going to tour again??