On The Line – Lee Ritenour – LP – Pre Owned Vinyl (Arrives in 21days)

Released in 1983, ‘On The Line’ finds jazz guitarist Lee Ritenour at a creative crossroads—balancing his technical finesse with a fresh, contemporary sound that defined West Coast jazz fusion in the early ’80s. This album is a showcase of Ritenour’s fluid guitar work, surrounded by a stellar cast of session players including Ernie Watts and Harvey Mason. Tracks like ‘Pedestrian’ and the title cut glide on infectious grooves, while Ritenour’s melodic sensibility shines through each composition. ‘On The Line’ stands out not just for its virtuosic musicianship, but for its seamless blend of jazz improvisation and pop accessibility, making it approachable for newcomers without sacrificing depth for longtime fans. The production, crisp and sophisticated, captures the era’s signature polish—yet the album retains a sense of warmth and spontaneity that’s often missing from contemporaneous jazz records. For collectors, this LP is a snapshot of an artist thriving in a period of creative transition, and for listeners, it’s a gateway to the intersection of jazz tradition and modern flair—a record that rewards repeated listening with new details each spin.

Track List:
A1 – The Rit Variations – 6:04
A2 – Starbright – 4:09
A3 – On The Line – 4:09
A4 – Tush – 4:13
B1 – California Roll – 4:11
B2 – Heavenly Bodies – 5:22
B3 – Pedestrian – 4:56
B4 – Dolphin Dreams – 5:08