Album: Wes Bound

Overview
"Wes Bound" is an album launched in 1993 by American jazz guitarist Lee Ritenour as a tribute to legendary jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery. The album is a significant departure from Ritenour's typical smooth jazz and combination design. He primarily makes use of classical nylon-string guitars for this recording, capturing the essence and flavor of Montgomery's signature thumb-picked noise. "Wes Bound" includes an outstanding lineup of musicians, including pianist Alan Broadbent, double bassist Christian McBride, drummer Harvey Mason, percussionist Alex Acuña, and vocalist Maxi Anderson. The album includes ten tracks that showcase Ritenour's remarkable abilities as a guitarist and his deep appreciation for Montgomery's ingenious design.

Track-by-Track Analysis
1. Wes Bound - The album opens with "Wes Bound", an original composition by Ritenour that commemorates Montgomery's legacy. The track sets the tone for the album, showcasing Ritenour's excellent nylon-string playing and lush chordal voicings.

2. Manager City - This groovy and upbeat track, initially made up by Montgomery, features Ritenour's melodic playing supported by an outstanding rhythm area. Ritenour stays true to Montgomery's initial, while still injecting his touch and style.

3. 4 On 6 - Another Montgomery classic, "4 On 6" offers listeners a taste of both Ritenour's and Montgomery's styles. Ritenour's smooth interpretation of the tune provides a fresh, modern take on the original structure, while still keeping ties to its roots.

4. Heavenly Bodies - Ritenour's original composition, "Heavenly Bodies", is a lovely track blending jazz and Latin tastes. The tune sticks out for its remarkable, catchy tune and shows the versatility of Ritenour as an author and entertainer.

5. No Sympathy - "No Sympathy" balances well in between an easygoing feel and engaging energy. The song is an exceptional display for the private skills of the musicians, along with their collective chemistry as a group.

6. 13 - Ritenour's "13" presents a slower, reflective structure featuring haunting tunes and fascinating harmonies, enabling Ritenour to show his mastery with the guitar.

7. Mimosa - This Montgomery classic gets a fresh transformation by Ritenour, emphasizing the Brazilian motivations with its lively and complex rhythm. Ritenour's attention to detail makes sure that the essence of the original is preserved and boosted.

8. Caravan - Duke Ellington's well-known structure "Caravan" is reimagined in Ritenour's hands, showcasing his capability to flawlessly incorporate different musical influences with his special playing style. The outcome is an appealing and remarkable performance of the classic.

9. Classy - The album takes an emotional turn with "Uptown", an initial structure by Ritenour. Ritenour's playing on this track, accompanied by a powerful rhythm area, demonstrates his ability to explore numerous musical genres while providing a cohesive and immersive listening experience.

10. Stolen Moments - The album closes with Oliver Nelson's "Stolen Moments", a well-loved jazz standard that receives a smooth and expert treatment from Ritenour and atrioventricular bundle. The song showcases the band's impressive chemistry and capability to genuinely accept the spirit of the structure.

Conclusion
"Wes Bound" stands as a testament to Lee Ritenour's unbelievable skill as a guitar player and his extensive respect for Wes Montgomery's contributions to the world of jazz. Ritenour approaches Montgomery's music with reverence and care while still instilling his character and unique style into each track. In general, the album is a must-listen for jazz guitar enthusiasts and acts as a beautiful homage to one of the most notable artists in the genre's history.