Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Rippingtons featuring Russ Freeman: Topaz
Rippingtons featuring Russ Freeman: Topaz
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 drum tracks. Overall, an interesting album, and somewhat of a departure from the traditional Rippingtons sound - which I'm sure is the intent, plus the fact that this seems to be primarily Russ Freeman's voice rather than a more collective band sound that some previous Rippingtons CDs had. (Peak/Windham Hill Jazz 11438)
Tracks:Taos; Summer Lovers; Spirits in the Canyon; Under a Spanish Moon; Temple of the Sun; Stories of the Painted Desert; Snakedance; Led Here by an Eagle; Topaz: Gem of the Setting Sun; Rain. (49:01)
Personnel
The Rippingtons
band / ensemble / orchestraRuss Freeman. acoustic, electric, classical, 12-string guitars, keyboards, bass; Dave Hooper, drums; Dave Kochanski, keyboards; Kim Stone, bass; Paul Taylor, soprano sax; Robert Tree Cody, carved wooden flute; Bill Heller, keyboards; Tom Gannaway, flamenco guitar; Tony Morales, drums; Steve Reid, percussion.
Album information
Title: Topaz | Year Released: 2000 | Record Label: Windham Hill Records
About The Rippingtons
Tags
PREVIOUS / NEXT
Become a Sustaining Member
Since 1995, All About Jazz has championed jazz as an art form and supported the musicians who create it. Over three decades, it has grown into one of the world's leading jazz resources, serving hundreds of thousands of readers, musicians, presenters and industry professionals each month.
Help Build the Future of All About Jazz
Your support helps us continue building All About Jazz for the next generation—expanding our editorial coverage, preserving jazz history, developing new community features and creating better ways to discover the music and the people behind it.
Become a sustaining member for as little as $20 per year and you'll immediately enjoy an ad-free experience along with access to subscriber features and future articles for a full year.
Together, we're not simply sustaining All About Jazz—we're building its future. Thank you for being part of the journey.
