Lee Ritenour Captain Fingers

Captain Fingers - Lee Ritenour's second studio album, and what a fantastic album it is! After his first album "First Course", critics complained, saying that his music was too lightweight. This album was his response. Here you will find some of the greatest jazz musicians of the fusion era working in an incredibly tight studio setting led by Captain Fingers himself, Lee Ritenour! From the opening riff of the title track, you know that you're going to be in for a full-on, in-your-face jazz/rock/funk fusion experience.

Captain Fingers - Lee Ritenour's second studio album, and what a fantastic album it is! After his first album "First Course", critics complained, saying that his music was too lightweight. This album was his response. Here you will find some of the greatest jazz musicians of the fusion era working in an incredibly tight studio setting led by Captain Fingers himself, Lee Ritenour! From the opening riff of the title track, you know that you're going to be in for a full-on, in-your-face jazz/rock/funk fusion experience.

Between the popular Captain Fingers and his follow-up Rio, crossover guitarist Lee Ritenour recorded a trio of sets for the Japanese JVC label; each of the three have since been reissued on CD. This date matches Ritenour with his pickup group of the time, which was called "the Gentle Thoughts." The lineup is impressive (including Ernie Watts on tenor, soprano and flute, both Patrice Rushen and Dave Grusin on keyboards, electric bassist Anthony Jackson, drummer Harvey Mason and percussionist Steve Forman), but the music is typically lightweight. Rit's fans will be interested to hear a different version of "Captain Fingers" and the guitarist's interpretation of "Feel Like Makin' Love" and Herbie Hancock's "Gentle Thoughts," but most of the playing is best served by being used as moderately funky background music.

Guitarist Lee Ritenour had just switched from Epic to Elektra when he cut Captain's Journey in 1978. It was a followup to the successful crossover work Captain Fingers and used a similar strategy: tight, hook-laden arrangements, polished production, and minimal solo space. What individual things it has are dominated by Ritenour, a supremely talented guitarist who doesn't display that much of it with these arrangements.

For nearly three decades, Lee Ritenour has been one of the world's foremost light jazz artists. Mixing a smooth urban vibe with the occasional soul/funk jive, his efforts have attempted to walk the razor-thin tightrope between the avant-garde and the accessible. In 2004, the gifted guitarist decided to call together a collection of colleagues and former band mates, and make an album celebrating music from the process of "making," not marketing. Assembling such luminaries as pianist Dave Grusin; keyboardist Patrice Rushen; talented bass impresarios Anthony Jackson, Melvin Davis, and Dave Carpenter, and drummer Oscar Seaton, the first foundation was set.

Known to fans as "Captain Fingers" for his uncommon dexterity on the guitar, Lee Ritenour is a noted jazz artist and session musician who has been one of the leaders in his field since the early '70s. Born in Los Angeles, California on January 11, 1952, Ritenour took up the guitar when he was eight years old, and decided to make music his career when he was 12. Ritenour's parents were supportive of his ambitions, and arranged for him to study with some of the best guitar teachers in Southern California.

Guitarist Lee Ritenour had just switched from Epic to Elektra when he cut Captain's Journey in 1978. It was a followup to the successful crossover work Captain Fingers and used a similar strategy: tight, hook-laden arrangements, polished production, and minimal solo space. What individual things it has are dominated by Ritenour, a supremely talented guitarist who doesn't display that much of it with these arrangements.

This album features a combination of fine guitar work, vocals and production values. Mr. Briefcase is a finely crafted piece of jazz-pop with lyrics that matter. There are many great songs on this record…