Search - Rippingtons :: Life in the Tropics

Good to hear, but not their best

K. Bortz | Delmont, PA USA | 10/10/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Let's just say that The Rippingtons of 1995 and earlier were a spectacular band, and then they began to succomb to the "smooth jazz" sound - you know, that syncopated hip-hoppy lite jazz with no guts. 8 or so of the 11 songs on this album fall into that mode. Granted, it's nice to hear, but it isn't a "wow, is that great!" The one or two songs with electric guitar do stand out with their energy. Now for the album itself, and not the overall sound. Like the title track says, the songs invoke tropical rhythms and sounds - lots of background percussion including nice conga parts, timbales, and rain sticks. Some of the songs, including those that rock the most, are Latin-flavored (the Gloria Estefan-styled vocals of Daisy Lourdes Villa on "Rhythm of Your Life" and the great guitar-driven "Avenida Del Mar"). Howard Hewitt does a great vocal on "I Found Heaven", and "South Beach Mambo" is fun. But the rest is that acoustic-guitar lite jazz. Russ Freeman writes great melodies and I love his songs, but LET LOOSE and JAM!!!"

Always a pleasure, but missing some of the edge

Charlie Peterson | Minneapolis, MN USA | 10/14/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have been an outspoken fan of Russ Freeman and the Rippingtons for five years now, and when I heard "Brave New World" (1996) for the first time, I was blown away. There was a hard edge to most of the songs, and, upon further investigation, many of the earlier albums did as well. In the year between the release of "Brave New World" and "Black Diamond", I listened to all the previous Ripps albums, and was equally impressed. Definitely some smokin' jazz players. However, with the introduction of the electronica loops on "Black Diamond", it seemed like some of the edge had been watered down by milkier changes and the safety net of technology. Fans: compare a track like "Love Child" on the new one, with its smooth-jazz bedroom feel, to a track like "Avenida Del Mar" or "Cicada" from "Brave New World". A world of difference. The latter two possess that edge and complexity that many have come to identify the Rippingtons by, and, as a fan and musician, that's what I look for. "Life In The Tropics" is every bit a Ripps album, and I was pleased with what I heard. As has been stated in other reviews, possibly a bit too "smooth-jazz"y at times, but nonetheless, a quality effort. Russ, if you're reading this, keep that hard drivin', edgy, chordally-complex stuff coming, and you've got a fan for life."

The Rippingtons Throw A Tropical Party

Bob Biz | Los Angeles, CA United States | 10/10/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Let the partying begin! The Rippingtons return on yet another new record label but this time it's on Russ Freeman's Peak Records. Russ has written a "hot" bunch of songs that fuse the confidence of his band The Rippingtons and many of my favorite contemporary jazz stars. "Club Paradiso" starts things off with Eric Marienthal giving the chorus a buoyant little swing. "Caribbean Breeze" has a flamenco feel to it and is punctuated by Peter White on classical guitar. Elsewhere "Be Cool" has a happy vibe with a killer hook by saxophonist Dave Koz. From there, the tempo heats up on the Latin spiced "Rhythm of Your Life" featuring lead vocals by Daisy Lourdes Villa, the burning "Avenida Del Mar" and the festive "South Beach Mambo". And for more of a cool groove, there's the title track featuring Bob James on keyboards and "I Found Heaven" with vocals by R&B emissary Howard Hewitt. Something for everyone...the album will please old Ripps fans and is sure to attract new ones. I'm ready for a Life in the Tropics, are you?"