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Editorial Reviews
2011 release from Russ Freeman and his legendary Rippingtons. Fans that have followed The Rippingtons for any stretch of time over the past quarter century know the versatile award winning and Grammy nominated guitarist/composer and producer has long had a penchant for naming songs and albums after exotic places ("Aruba," "Kenya," "Morocco," Weekend in Monaco, Sahara, et al). But The Ripps' latest recording Cote D'Azur--inspired by Freeman's passion for the French people and the storied region of the French Riviera--is more than simply the latest stamp on Freeman's well traveled passport. Beyond simple wanderlust or a gathering of "musical postcards" from the Southern region of France, it taps into a spirit that's deeper and more transcendent than any other group project to date.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By Jimmy.M
Format:Audio CD
"Côte d'Azur" is the latest musical voyage from the Rippingtons, whose assets are becoming larger and larger, varied but also very poppish and commercial, in contrast with their distinctive and elegant 'jazz' releases like "Moonlightong" or "Life in the Tropics".
These days they and their frontman seem very oriented towards the most commercially potent subgenre to fall under the jazz banner in recent years, the so called 'smooth jazz', and this album makes no exception.
Forget the liner notes of the album, which are meant for the market/press realease and may distract the listeners with the mirage of exotic landscapes.
"Le calypso" will please their fans who appreciate his relaxed playing, nice grooves and POPular melodies.
His optimistic 'sound' shines on cuts like "Riviera Jam".
The lilting "Mesmerized" has a delicate melodic beauty.
"Passage To Marceilles" and "Bandol" up the tempo with solid North-african/Spanish grooves.
The result is that, even as he dazzles with his mastery of licks and tricks, this time Freeman rarely blows out a melody free of learned clichés, with his, at times, apparent lack of originality and many studied serious solo moments numbing as things press on.
The album is very enjoyale, relaxing, yes, but too slick or sappy though, providing, at times, jazz of integrity and smoothness for chilling out to or eating dinner by.
Jazz collectors will likely not be too interested in the disc, but in general, soft, lite jazz/pop radio stations' listeners, searching for something soothing, high-gloss background music, more than something of a more raw or challenging nature, certainly will be happy to buy it.
The more casual listener will appreciate its wide-ranging gathering of 21st century pop/ smooth jazz cuts, and this might even rope in some Kenny G., Dave Koz or the latest, sighing Diana Krall listeners who'll find it a good taster for the more authentic stuff.
All in all, "Côte d'Azur" is a collection of pleasant, chirpy bunch of pretty tunes, easily forgettable, never memorable.
An accomplished musician like Freeman is capable to do much more and better than this.
Update. After one week at # 3 of The Billboard Jazz Chart, The Rippingtons dip to # 24. Issue date: April 30, 2011.
The track wich does best is "Riviera Jam", which made # 15 on the Jazz Songs Chart. Billboard Issue Date: Week of February 26, 2011.
Moonlighting
Life in the Tropics
These days they and their frontman seem very oriented towards the most commercially potent subgenre to fall under the jazz banner in recent years, the so called 'smooth jazz', and this album makes no exception.
Forget the liner notes of the album, which are meant for the market/press realease and may distract the listeners with the mirage of exotic landscapes.
"Le calypso" will please their fans who appreciate his relaxed playing, nice grooves and POPular melodies.
His optimistic 'sound' shines on cuts like "Riviera Jam".
The lilting "Mesmerized" has a delicate melodic beauty.
"Passage To Marceilles" and "Bandol" up the tempo with solid North-african/Spanish grooves.
The result is that, even as he dazzles with his mastery of licks and tricks, this time Freeman rarely blows out a melody free of learned clichés, with his, at times, apparent lack of originality and many studied serious solo moments numbing as things press on.
The album is very enjoyale, relaxing, yes, but too slick or sappy though, providing, at times, jazz of integrity and smoothness for chilling out to or eating dinner by.
Jazz collectors will likely not be too interested in the disc, but in general, soft, lite jazz/pop radio stations' listeners, searching for something soothing, high-gloss background music, more than something of a more raw or challenging nature, certainly will be happy to buy it.
The more casual listener will appreciate its wide-ranging gathering of 21st century pop/ smooth jazz cuts, and this might even rope in some Kenny G., Dave Koz or the latest, sighing Diana Krall listeners who'll find it a good taster for the more authentic stuff.
All in all, "Côte d'Azur" is a collection of pleasant, chirpy bunch of pretty tunes, easily forgettable, never memorable.
An accomplished musician like Freeman is capable to do much more and better than this.
Update. After one week at # 3 of The Billboard Jazz Chart, The Rippingtons dip to # 24. Issue date: April 30, 2011.
The track wich does best is "Riviera Jam", which made # 15 on the Jazz Songs Chart. Billboard Issue Date: Week of February 26, 2011.
Moonlighting
Life in the Tropics
8 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By Jazz1
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
The Rippingtons are one of my favorite cool jazz groups. If I see a new release I just pop it into the Amazon cart unheard. This one won't disappoint Jazz Cat fans and fans of the genre of smoothjazz. I particularly like "Le Calypso" organs and Marlboro Man guitar. Who would have thought? Cote d"Azur has a great drum beat and a little fuzz guitar for spice. Let the head bobbing begin.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Jazzy J
Format:Audio CD
This is a great cd! The Ripps' sound is definitely evolving, so you have to start judging their albums individually. This isn't Welcome to the St James Club, Moonlighting, or Life in the Tropics (so if that's what you're expecting, go buy those). It's something different...and it's definitely worth picking up.
After the first day of listening to it, I'd have to say Sainte Maxime is my favorite on this cd...and likely one of my favorites period. Lots of upbeat, feel-good music here. I'm still angry with Russ about Wild Card, but the last three cds have renewed my faith in the Ripps.
After the first day of listening to it, I'd have to say Sainte Maxime is my favorite on this cd...and likely one of my favorites period. Lots of upbeat, feel-good music here. I'm still angry with Russ about Wild Card, but the last three cds have renewed my faith in the Ripps.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Music Lover
I have purchased other Rippington's CDs and enjoy the upbeat, sultry and festive sounds. It takes me on a mini-vacation after a tough day or on a weekend. Really enjoy this one!
Published 3 months ago by Donna S
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of Rippingtons good ones
Rippingtons always come through with great music. Any Rippingtons fan should enjoy. Need to purchase more of their latest albums
Published 5 months ago by Greywolf
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect Rippingtons
Best of the best!!! No doubt so many great artists have come from this great group. Buy this one for sure!
Published 6 months ago by Panacea
5.0 out of 5 stars
Smooth Jazz
I bought this CD with a few others after hearing a selection on the Smooth Jazz radio program that airs in Wichita, KS every Sunday morning. It is absolutely fabulous!
Published 6 months ago by special-K
5.0 out of 5 stars
BEST "RIPPINGTONS" MUSIC IN YEARS - JUST BEAUTIFUL!!!
First of all those of you looking for the jazzy technical side of the "RIPPINGTONS" this isn't it. However if your looking for more of the beautiful relaxing side of the... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Michael Davis
5.0 out of 5 stars
Different yet familiar, as always Top Quality!
I have been a fan of Russ since 1989 when he was pretty new to the scene, playing venues of maybe 500 people. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Gary Scharg
5.0 out of 5 stars
Everything They Touch Turns to GOLD!
As far as I'm concerned, there is Nothing The Rippingtions can do that is wrong. And for those who have given poor reviews on this brilliant CD, I have to ask, What Have You Been... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Rafi
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
Excellent album. Music, which was looking for. Great mood. Fantastic guitar and a stereo.
Rapid implementation of the contract. Recommend.
Rapid implementation of the contract. Recommend.
Published 12 months ago by szlemik
2.0 out of 5 stars
The Windows Vista of the Rippingtons
I purchased this as soon as it was release. I am a huge fan but I found this album to be lacking from the get go. It is as if they needed to release something/anything. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Curtis Jopling
2.0 out of 5 stars
If this is suppose to represent the real Côte D'Azur in musical form...
I'm really disappointed with it.
I've been a fan of Russ Freeman's The Rippingtons for several years. Read more
I've been a fan of Russ Freeman's The Rippingtons for several years. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Sirynx
Listmania!
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