Jazz Articles about Rippingtons

Rippingtons featuring Russ Freeman: Topaz

by Dave Hughes
March 1, 2000

The Rippingtons' latest CD,Topaz, was inspired by Taos, New Mexico - both its history and its present. This influence is primarily expressed with the addition of the carved wood flute of Robert Tree Cody on several selections. On some songs, the acoustic guitars and/or percussion paint an aural picture of serene, wide-open spaces with flowing melody lines and gently galloping rhythms. On a few other songs, though, the effect is derailed by the more mechanical chunking of programmed ...