Jazz / Smooth Jazz; Jazz-Pop; Instrumental Pop; Crossover Jazz
The Rippingtons
Brian Moore 12-String Bass Guitar, Guitar
Brian Springer Assistant Engineer
Dave Kochanski Organ, Keyboards
Jeff Kashiwa Sax (Tenor)
Kim Stone Bass
Mark Ledford Trumpet
Mark Williamson Vocals (Background)
Russ Freeman Rhythm Loops, Producer, Liner Notes, Mandolin, Drum Programming, Keyboards, Executive Producer, Percussion
Steve Reid Percussion
Andi Howard Executive Producer
Carl Griffin Producer
Carl Studna Photography
Doug Sax Mastering
John R. Reigart III Assistant Engineer
Kathryn Connors Make-Up, Hair Stylist
Paul Wickliffe Engineer
Sonny Mediana Art Direction
After nearly a decade at GRP Records, smooth jazz's premier ensemble made a very successful switch to Windham Hill with this recording inspired by leader Russ Freeman's ski adventures in his adopted home of Colorado. Their tenth album continues the band's recent successful ventures into urban-flavored music while also showcasing Freeman's amazing talents for jazz and flamenco guitar playing, in addition to his trademark classical guitar-influenced pop/rock sound. The collection is also a celebration of ten years of the smooth jazz format and the Rippingtons' instrumental role in creating music that helps define the genre's sound. The band weaves through the title track with a soaring, echoing guitar melody over a cool, shuffling hip-hop groove. Mark Williamson's spiritual-flavored chanting enhances the moody textures and funky, retro-soul vibe of the electric guitar-driven "Deep Powder," while the steamy, classical guitar-led "Seven Nights in Rome" finds the band looking down from the mountaintop, thoughtfully recounting the romantic ambience of a recent concert trip to Italy. "North Peak"'s slamming percussion approximates a speedy downhill race, but all that chill is more than balanced by the daring and exotic "Angelfire," which blends Freeman's colorful flamenco stylings and Arturo Sandoval's crackling trumpet.
---Jonathan Widran, AMG
The Rippingtons
Active Decades: '80s, '90s and '00s
Born: 1987
Genre: Jazz
Styles: Contemporary Jazz, Crossover Jazz, Instrumental Pop, Jazz-Pop, Smooth Jazz
One of the most popular groups in what is loosely termed "contemporary jazz," the Rippingtons were formed (and have been led ever since) by guitarist/keyboardist Russ Freeman (no relation to the veteran West Coast bop pianist of the same name). Freeman (born February 11, 1960, in Nashville) studied at Cal Arts and UCLA, and recorded Nocturnal Playground as a leader in 1985 for the Brainchild label, a one-man project. In 1987, he was approached to record for the Japanese Alfa label and came up with the Rippingtons name for the all-star group he used on the disc (Moonlighting), an ensemble featuring David Benoit, Kenny G., and Brandon Fields. Their album was released domestically by Passport and became a hit. Freeman soon formed a regular touring band (usually including saxophonist Jeff Kashiwa, bassist Kim Stone, drummer Tony Morales, and percussionist Steve Reid), cut a second disc for Passport, and the group recorded regularly for GRP. Russ Freeman writes all of the music for the Rippingtons, much of which falls in the popR&B genre. In the late '90s, the group moved over to the Windham Hill label, recording such albums as Black Diamond (1997), Topaz (1999), Live! Across America, and Life in the Tropics (both in 2000). For 2003's Let It Ripp, the band relied heavily on their horn section to carry the weight of the album. The Latin-flavored Wild Card followed in 2005.
---Scott Yanow, All Music Guide |
