Long+ tall Ray Benson is usually in the driver"s seat of Asleep at the Wheel as the hard-working+ multi-Grammy-winning Western swing aggregation hurtles down the highway. But Benson changes musical vehicles with his first-ever solo album+ <I>Beyond Time</I>+ opting for a more casual cruise down a variety of stylistic side roads. Benson wrote or co-wrote all of the songs but one+ and most fall into the sentimental (if not outright romantic)+ jazz-tinged category. The opening "Sorry+" for example+ with its Nelson Riddle-style+ strings-and-horns arrangement+ serves notice that Benson has a different destination in mind and he explores it fully+ bringing his baritone voice to bear on cool jazz numbers like "Let"s Get Lost" (co-written with Willie Nelson) and folky social tunes such as "Small Town." The only cover here is one of the highlights+ as Benson and accordion legend Flaco Jimenez offer a tasty Tex-Mex take on Marty Robbins"s classic "El Paso." Other guests include jazz guitarist Stanley Jordan+ blues singer Delbert McClinton+ and guitarist Jimmie Vaughan. Best of all+ however+ may be "Leave That Cowboy Alone+" a country collaboration with Dolly Parton+ pedal-steel guitarist Lloyd Maines+ and Austin"s secret weapon+ guitar-slinger Redd Volkaert. <I>--Michael Point</I>