The Rippingtons - Wild Card
The
new album of the Rippingtons is released since May 2005. The cover was
traditionally made by Bill
Mayer whose website http://www.thebillmayer.com/
is really worth a visit. Speaking about websites you should also visit
the re-newed website of The
Rippingtons. It's really state of the art. A short visit to the
forum http://www.magicisland.com
showcases surprisingly diverse opinions of his fans.
The
Rippingtons are Russ Freeman. With other words he is the man behind
the project and he decides the development of this group. The band
members always changed. Current members are the leader Russ Freeman,
Bill Heller (keyboards, piano), Eric Marienthal (sax), Kim Stone
(bass), Scott Breadman (percussion) and Dave Karasony (drums).
The
new album is offering Latin flavored tunes like the smooth "Gypsy
Eyes" and "Spanish Girl" performed by acoustic guitars
played in the style of Peter White or Marc Antoine. The mellow
"Wild Card" and "Lay It Down" are featuring Eric
Marienthal and will certainly find the interest of smooth jazz
radio-stations. "El Vacilon" is following the pulsing salsa
music of the Southern hemisphere.
The
album is obviously tending to the Spanish speaking audience. This is a
huge market. Slow and intriguing are "Paradise",
"King Of Hearts" and "Into You" using all ingredients
of a romantic tune. The vocal version of Mulata De Mi Amor
is featuring the singer Willy
Chirino who has already released more than 20 albums with a
tremendous success. "Moonlight" is one of my favorites. I
like Bill Heller's brilliant piano play which could be more extensive.
There is also some R&B on this album like "Till You Come Back To Me"
presenting a fantastic Chanté Moore. Smooth Jazz fans will know her
by guest appearances on "Yes, Please" (Fourplay),
"Snapshot" and "Cool" (George Duke), "Just
Chillin" (Norman Brown) or "The McCauley
Sessions".
Russ Freeman
anew succeeded in producing an album which addresses a great audience
although that might not be the same as years before.
