Customer Reviews

Curves Ahead

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Of the many jazz cds I own, including 5 other Rippingtons cds, this is the one I always can listen to straight through, over and over. It's clean and has no vocals. It has wonderful rich tunes that come alive and move. I've played this cd for three of my friends-they all bought it.

Curves Ahead is a great CD. If you are a Rippingtons fan, you will love it. It is similar to their previous album, "Welcome to the Saint James Club." The title track is a great song that you can listen to over, and over, and over again. "Aspen" isn't exciting but it is has a lot of smooth sax music and some guitar. It is a good song. "Santa Fe Trail" has brass and flute and piano and acoustic guitar. There is lot of precussion. "North Star" is one of my favorites. It has great sax and precussion, a piano solo, and synthesizers. "Miles Away" has alot synthesized music but there is sax. "Snow bound" is a slower song with mostly guitar but faster sax with great precussion. "Nature of the Beast" Starts out with just drums, then EWI, then the electric guitar joins, and last the sax. It also has some parts with jungle sounds. This song just goes along, with some solos. Omar Hakim, a drummer, is on this CD. The drumming on this song sounds a lot like his, but I am not sure if he plays the drums on this song. Last, there is "Morning Song." This song has a duet between piano and acoustic guitar. Some parts of this song are a lot like Pat Metheny's Song "James." "James" is a popular song. Jazz artist, Bob James, plays it. One of Russ Freemans influences is Pat Metheny. Compare the 2 song and you will see that they are a like. "Curves Ahead is a great CD and I hope you will get it if you are a big Rippingtons fan, or if you are new to contemparary jazz.

This cd will NOT disappoint. If you've never heard Russ Freeman and the Rippington's this is a great introduction to break you into their great sound. If you're a seasoned fan like myself, this is one you will wear out in no time. Every track is memorable, my personal faves are Take Me With You, Aspen and the title track, Curves Ahead. If you have a chance to see this group live, DO IT! There's nothing like their sound under a summer sky in an outdoor arena -- this is loving life!

As usual, Russ Freeman and the Rippingtons have delivered a wonderful collection of instrumental songs that appeal to a very wide audience. Russ Freeman certainly proves that he has great taste and talent. The band is superb and delivers a smooth, sometimes soothing, sometimes energetic collection of modern jazz. I highly recommend this album (and all their other albums) to anyone looking for a fresh musical sound.

I have been a fan of the Rippington's since they first hit the airwaves on Jazz/New Age radio stations. Over the years they have faced many personnel changes. Frontman Russ Freeman has been the driving force behind all of their music. He is an absolute genius!!! The outstanding tracks on this one are Curves Ahead, Aspen, and Snowbound. Their isn't a bad song on this CD. I rarely give five stars to any CD, but I did here...because Curves Ahead and Welcome To The Saint James Club are the Rippington's at their best!!!!

This cd is GREAT! Miles Away, North Star, and Curves Ahead are some of the best songs on the disc. It is one of the better, older cds they have produced. If you're a first time listener you're sure to get hooked! I hope the keep up the fantastic work.

... as this amazingly exciting album from way back in 1991 clearly demonstrates. Full of pop pretensions and funky beats, there are nonetheless jazz improvisations of the highest standards to be found here. From the opening beats of the title tune (which always remind me of the opening beats of Sade's "The Sweetest Taboo"), right through to the final strains of "Morning Song", Russ Freeman and his men take us through a delightful set that I'm sure Spyro Gyra were envious of.

Speaking of which, former Spyro Gyra bassist Kim Stone plays on this album, alongside people like Tony Morales on drums, Jeff Kashiwa on tenor and alto sax, Mark Portman on acoustic piano not to mention smooth jazz stalwarts like Dave Grusin, Kirk Whalum, Nelson Rangell and Omar Hakim, all of whom feature on some of the tunes. The one-man band Freeman himself plays keyboardsd, acoustic, classical, steel string and electric guitars, guitar synthesizer and bass.

This is the only Rippingtons CD I own but I very much doubt they made one that surpasses this one. And while I fully accept that there are some purveyors of so-called smooth jazz who barely make an effort, this band - or more accurately, this album - is definitely not to be placed in that category. Give it a listen. You will not be disappointed.

Aspen is far and away my favorite Ripps track of all time, which is a bold statement when you consider the various gems the Ripps have produced over the years. Each track on this album has its own personality. Snowbound, North Star, Morningsong.....you won't be disappointed with this cd!

from Irvine to La Verne every afternoon, if you live around there, you know what I'm talking about! The Curves Ahead cd got me home just about every day.

I bought "Curves ahead" - my first Rippingtons album - and was far from being disapointed. Actually all songs are very enjoyable, but especially "Miles Away" ( listened to it over and over again)and "Curves ahead" are outstanding tracks. All the players sound great!
This is Instrumental Pop at its best!