Customer Reviews

Kilimanjaro

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is one of the few Smooth Jazz albums that I listen to religiously, because it never gets old. Every song on here is gold, each one following up the last perfectly. Oddly enough, the entire reason I ended up finding and buying this album was because I heard some of the music on it being played, in all places, on the Weather Channel during the local weather updates. And now, well, go, get this album, sit back, relax, grab a nice book, and enjoy.

This is solid evidence of Rippingtons fame. Cuts here are all very enjoyable, but especially do I enjoy "Katrina's Dance" and "Los Cabos."

Great listening. Mix of guitar and sax is soothing, not howling as some recordings make them.

The greatest album! I have heard it over and over again and I have not yet gotten bored of it. Every song is unique yet they all come together to form one upbeat,jazzy cd. The Ripps are the best jazz group out there! When you hear this cd you'll know why.Go out and get this cd, you won't be able to live without it again!!!

Yes, Kilimanjaro is an album that can be matched by only two others in the Rippington's catalogue, as far as I'm concerned. That's saying something pretty profound, too, because almost everything this band has ever released is near-perfect and not to be missed. If you're already well acquainted with The Rippingtons, you understand what I've said. If you have not, then allow THIS album be your introduction to the exciting and unique musical universe of The Rippingtons!

This was actually the record that introduced ME to the music of The Rippingtons. It was "Katrina's Dance" that caught and held my attention one day, while I was driving home from school. I caught only the last minute or so of the song, but that was enough to make me want to find out who this artist was. As soon as I arrived home, I went online to the website of the radio station I had been listening to in the car and started searching through their list of recently played songs. Within a few minutes of my discovery them , I was on Amazon buying the first three albums by The Rippintons. One just wasn't enough for me!

Of those three albums (Moonlighting, Tourist in Paradise, Kilimanjaro), this is the one that captivated me the most. As much as I love the other two of their first three (Read my reviews for Moonlighting and Tourist in Paradise), Kilimanjaro simply had an unbelievably enjoyable and unique aura to it that is difficult to describe. And, perhaps, that is why I love it so much; it isn't good enough to just talk about the music of The Rippingtons, it must be listened to in order to fully be appreciated.
I will say this, however, out of the nine songs featured on this album, the standout tracks for me are:

1. Morocco
2. Northern Lights
3. Dream of the Sirens
4. Katrina's Dance (The first song I heard by the Rippingtons.)
9. Ocean Song

This is not to say that the remaining four songs on the album are in any way poor or inferior. All nine tracks are sure to please your musical cravings. However, the above list seems to best define what this band does more concisely and efficiently. These five tracks contain all of the hallmarks of an excellent Rippintons composition: Tasteful, clear and well written guitar solos. Elegant and creative synthesizer chords. Precise and punctual rhythmic patterns from the Bass. Last, but by no means least, perfectly timed and tasteful percussion work that is always one if the highlights of a Rippington track, but never intrudes upon the work of the other instruments.
As you may or may not know, this musical entity that we call The Rippingtons is primarily the work of one man: Russ Freeman. It is true that he has a band play with him in the studio and, of course, during live shows. However, he is the primary composer of the music and plays several of the instruments you hear on record. Russ freeman is the only constant member, so it is mostly fair to say that these albums are almost solo works for Freeman.

The liner notes inside the CD booklet indicate that Freeman composes and produces these albums on his own, so I can only infer that the various musicians he records with are there to simply help him play the music he writes and do not partake in the actual composition of the music.
On Kilimanjaro, the fallowing musicians assisted Russ Freeman during the recording:

Drums & Percussion- Vinnie Colaiuta, Steve Reid and Tony Morales
Bass Guitar- Jimmy Johnson, Jimmy Haslip, and Bill Lanphier
Saxes and Flute- Brandon Fields and Dave Koz

Russ Freeman handles all work for guitars, keyboards, and synthesizers.

I truly hope that this album will bring you as much enjoyment as it has me. I recommend this album very highly to all fans of the Rippingtons, especially you newer ones. Kilimanjaro simply delivers high quality music in a way that few albums can. ENJOY!

Well, I have most of this multi-talented groups' albums and think that Kilimanjaro is possibly their best and most seamless display of superb musicianship... instrumental brilliance with incredibly appealing melodies and exciting shifts in thematic content... when I listen to it even today... it's like an old comfortable friend... who I can relax and kick it with... not having to worry about any jarring or discordant surprises... and it envokes a wide range of emotions in me as it plays... also an excellent one if I'm creating anything... from graphic arts... to beaded jewelry... to romantic poetry... a definite 12+ on a scale of 1 to 10 ! Brava !

Great Rippington CD. A CD that you could put on anytime and enjoy. Excellent sax work from Brandon Fields as only Brandon could play. The CD is uplifting and has lots of quality rythm with a nice touch of latin rythm. Un-cork a nice bottle of wine with your girl and enjoy!

Keep up the great work guys!

Kilimanjaro is a fantastic cd by The Rippingtons. It was originally produced in 1989. They had good sounds then. This album is a great display of that fact. Every song on here is nice and relaxing, yet it thankfully isn't that 'smooth'. The tracks are very well-played, as well.

My 3 favorite songs from this one are tracks 2,3, and 5. Northern Lights is a good song with a nice introduction and constant melody. Dream Of The Sirens is a great song with a smashing guitar solo. It's one of their best off of this album and of their career. Kilimanjaro is another good one with some energizing solos in it, also. The other songs are advantageous, too.

Terminizing, this is one of their records that is worth the purchase. It's very soothing, but yet won't make you fall asleep while listening to it. It is quite a treat. Thank you for taking the time and generosity to read my review.

I tend to like the earlier Rippington's works. This would include Kilimanjaro. This CD features not only leadman Russ Freeman, but Dave Koz, Brandon Fields, and Steve Reid. A lot of fine musicians have played along with Russ and have later gone on to have brilliant solo careers. This set has some smooth jazz and up tempo jazz. Dream Of The Sirens is one of my favorite songs by them ever. Other good tunes are Northern Lights, Backstabbers, and Oceansong. Buy this one if you like good instrumental music!

I bought this album when it came out in 1989, and am still listening to it regularly to this day. Russ Freeman is a studio wunderkind who plays guitars, keyboards, and arranges these wonderful pieces that are often referred to as "elevator music." Elevator music has much less about it that's interesting when these pieces are not only enjoyable, but keep the momentum forward on each theme. Beautiful production and top musicianship by the likes of percussionists Vinnie Colaiuta, Tony Morales, and saxists Dave Koz and Brandon Fields--all incredibly well-known musicians in the smooth jazz genre--add to the polish and atmosphere of this wonderful 9 track collection.

I think the major reason this is my favorite Rippingtons album is because three of the tracks, "Kilimanjaro," "Los Cabos!," and "Oceansong" are very resemblant to Russ's 1985 solo project, Nocturnal Playground. If you have it, you will know exactly what I mean. If you don't, get it, and I can assure you that, not only have you heard songs like "Polo in the Palisades" before, but you will make a direct connection to this album. After all, their releases are only four years apart.

Everything on here is second to none, but my favorites are the three previously mentioned tracks for obvious reasons, along with "Dream of the Sirens," the new life breathed into "Backstabbers," and "Love Notes." This is simply a wonderful album for romancing, relaxing, driving in the car, or doing chores around the house. Each piece is never self-indugent or pompous, full of strong melodies you can actually get stuck into your head, and the Rippingtons jazz cat art is always cool on each and every one of their covers. Along with Freeman's Nocturnal Playground, I also recommend the very first Rippingtons album Moonlighting, but I have to admit because David Benoit appears on it. Enjoy this album immensely, because it is bound to bring you pleasure for years to come. After 23 years, I should know!

All of their stuff is unique and excellent. You immediately recognize their sound as the Rippingtons

My favorites Northern Lights and Wednesdays child from Welcome to the St. James Club are in my office when i need a little pick me up music at work
If it s possible for music to raise your spirits then this will do it for you