HEAR TODAY AN AFRICAN ADVENTURE.

Byline: Fred Shuster Music Writer

Growing up in L.A. in the '60s, Lee Ritenour soaked up a rich cross section of jazz, rock and Brazilian music -- and the exposure served him well as one of the top session guitarists of the '70s.

Along with a thriving solo career, Ritenour played on countless albums, including hits by Paul Simon, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Steely Dan, Herbie Hancock and Pink Floyd's ``The Wall.'' In the '90s, he was a founding member of Fourplay, the lucrative contemporary jazz outfit.

On ``Smoke N' Mirrors'' (Peak; $18.98), the latest in a string of more than three-dozen albums as leader, Ritenour was inspired by his first trip to South Africa, where he performed last year at festivals in Johannesburg and Capetown.

The music's polyrhythmic approach took in players from South Africa, West Africa, Brazil, Columbia, Peru and India, as well as old friends like pianist Dave Grusin, drummer Vinnie Colaiuta and bassist John Patitucci.

We caught up with the Grammy Award-winning Ritenour, 54, as he prepared for a West Coast tour that comes to the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach on Sept. 1.

Q: How did you end up playing South Africa?

A: I'd been getting letters for years asking me to come and perform there. Everything timed nicely for me to go after some Western European dates, and while the festivals included some American acts, I was more excited by the native African players -- some of the most intoxicating percussion and rhythm guitar playing I've ever heard. Over the years, I've been more and more attracted to African music, and this trip solidified it for me.

Q: It took longer than usual to make the record.

A: All these magical things happened along the way. Because of its scope, the musicians involved in the process and the many guitar textures I incorporated, it took a total of eight months to complete. I found every step -- from composing and arranging to recording and mixing -- exciting. After all these years, I can tell when I'm onto something that might have lasting value.

Here is a sample of other new releases in the stores this week:

There's unleaded r&b, rock pastiches, pop-dance rhythms and lyrics that hint at a well-documented private life in Paris Hilton's ``Paris'' (WEA; $18.98).

Pop-r&b siren Kelis borrows from '80s new wave, classic soul and gangsta rap for her third disc, ``Kelis Was Here'' (Jive; $18.98).

Primal Scream celebrates excess in all its forms on ``Riot City Blues'' (Sony; $12.98).

``Idlewild'' (LaFace; $18.98), the soundtrack to OutKast's movie debut, blends hip-hop, blues and swing for the '30s-style gangster musical that opens Friday.

Warren Haynes' ear-bending Les Paul powered the Allman Brothers before he formed Gov't Mule, which recycles elements of Cream and Mountain on ``High & Mighty'' (Red Ink; $18.98).

ALSO IN STORES

``Bande a Part,'' Nouvelle Vague (Justin Time; $13.99)

``Defiant,'' Vice Squad (SOS; $14.98)

``Amar Es Combatir,'' Mana (WEA; $17.98)

``The Man Who Lives for Love,'' Spencer Dickinson (Yep Roc; $16.98)

``Fresh Off Boat,'' Golem (Jdub; $11.98)

``Take It All In,'' Matt Stillwell (Showgun; $15.98)

``The Ant Bully,'' original score (Bulletproof; $18.98)

``Around the City,'' Eliane Elias (RCA; $18.98)

``Be Where I Be,'' Judah Johnson (Flameshovel; $14.98)

``Barnyard,'' soundtrack (Bulletproof; $18.98)

``Bloodlove,'' Mercy Killers (Hellcat; $13.98)

``Blues in the Night,'' Ann Hampton Callaway (Telarc; $18.98)

``Cannonball,'' Pat Green (BNA; $18.98)

``Cicada,'' Cat Scientist (Australian Cattle; $15.98)

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