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 pop/R&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.
The Rippingtons - Wild Card (2005)
Track List:
1. Gypsy Eyes
2. Wild Card
3. El Vacilon
4. Paradise
5. Spanish Girl
6. Mulata De Mi Amor
7. Moonlight
8. Till You Come Back To Me
9. Lay It Down
10. King Of Hearts
11. Into You
12. Mulata De Mi Amor (Instrumental)
13. In The End
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The Rippingtons - Black Diamond (1997)
Track List:
1. Black Diamond
2. Deep Powder
3. Seven Nights In Rome
4. Soul Seeker
5. In Another Life
6. Big Sky
7. If I Owned The World
8. North Peak
9. Angelfire
10. Jewel Thieves
11. Black Diamond (Acoustic Version)
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The Rippingtons - Let It Ripp (2003)
Track List:
1. Let It Ripp
2. Mr. 3
3. Lucky Charm
4. A Private Getaway
5. High Life
6. Avalon
7. Bella Luna
8. Stingray
9. 17 Mile Drive
10. Cast A Spell
11. Get Over It
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The Rippingtons - Life In The Tropics (2000)
Track List:
1. Club Paradiso
2. Caribbean Breeze
3. Cruisin' Down Ocean Drive
4. Be Cool
5. Rhythm Of Your Life
6. Love Child
7. Avenida Del Mar
8. I Found Heaven
9. South Beach Mambo
10. Life In The Tropics
11. Island Aphrodisiac
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The Rippingtons - Live! Across America (2000)
Track List:
1. Road Warriors
2. Summer Lovers
3. Welcome To The St. James Club
4. Hideaway
5. Black Diamond
6. South Beach Mambo
7. She Likes To Watch
8. Jewel Thieves
9. Rain
10. Avenida Del Mar
11. Purple Haze
12. Fire
13. Star Spangled Banner
14. Are We There Yet (Bonus Track)
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The Rippingtons - Sahara (1994)
Track List:
1. Native Sons Of A Distant Land
2. True Companion
3. I'll Be Around
4. Principles Of Desire
5. Sahara
6. 'Til We're Together Again
7. The Best Is Yet To Come
8. Journey's End
9. Girl With The Indigo Eyes
10. Porscha
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The Rippingtons - Topaz (1999)
Track List:
1. Taos
2. Summer Lovers
3. Spirits In The Canyon
4. Under A Spanish Moon
5. Temple Of The Sun
6. Stories Of The Painted Desert
7. Snakedance
8. Led Here By An Angel
9. Topaz: Gem Of The Setting Sun
10. Rain
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The Rippingtons - Weekend in Monaco (1992)
Track List:
1. Weekend In Monaco
2. St. Tropez
3. Vienna
4. Indian Summer
5. A Place For Lovers
6. Carnival!
7. Moka Java
8. Highroller
9. Where The Road Will Lead Us
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Bitrate for all Albums: @ VBR
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Enjoy!
