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Editorial Reviews
This 2009 album from the premier contemporary band is an infectious mix of Jazz, Latin and Pop instrumental songs laced with intoxicating melodies. This is a `must have' CD for all Smooth Jazz fans! Faithfully led by Russ Freeman, the band also features Dave Karasony, Rico Belled, Bill Heller and Jeff Kashiwa plus a special guest appearance from Rick Braun.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
27 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
OK, Rippingtons fans - what does this new CD, "Modern Art", sound like with the return of one-time sax/wind player Jeff Kashiwa, the absence of long-time bassist Kim Stone, and the departure of percussion effects/congas/etc. completely?
The answer is not bad. Kashiwa brings his "A" game, blowing the heck out of the sax and really grooving. And some of Russ Freeman's guitar work interplays well with Kashiwa. There's also some nice piano/keyboard lines from Bill Heller, although some of it is definitely dated in the 80s. The bass/drums are mixed extremely well and really bring a lot of thump to the tracks, but the bass lines are not at all distinctive like you could expect from Stone. And, typical of latter-day Rippingtons work, the keyboards add a feel of rhythm with looped effects.
However, the songs are not really distinctive. The lack of percussion helps bring a sameness to the sound, although Kahiwa alleviates this some by changing the sax type (soprano, alto, etc.). The sameness to the songs is both good and bad. There aren't any throwaway songs that make me want to fall asleep or skip the songs, but there also aren't any of those "wow" songs I expect from the Ripps. It's all very pleasant, but it reminds me of the last two Steely Dan albums - comfortable and not challenging, so nice but not near the standards expected by the group.
The answer is not bad. Kashiwa brings his "A" game, blowing the heck out of the sax and really grooving. And some of Russ Freeman's guitar work interplays well with Kashiwa. There's also some nice piano/keyboard lines from Bill Heller, although some of it is definitely dated in the 80s. The bass/drums are mixed extremely well and really bring a lot of thump to the tracks, but the bass lines are not at all distinctive like you could expect from Stone. And, typical of latter-day Rippingtons work, the keyboards add a feel of rhythm with looped effects.
However, the songs are not really distinctive. The lack of percussion helps bring a sameness to the sound, although Kahiwa alleviates this some by changing the sax type (soprano, alto, etc.). The sameness to the songs is both good and bad. There aren't any throwaway songs that make me want to fall asleep or skip the songs, but there also aren't any of those "wow" songs I expect from the Ripps. It's all very pleasant, but it reminds me of the last two Steely Dan albums - comfortable and not challenging, so nice but not near the standards expected by the group.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By D. Perkins
Format:Audio CD
First and foremost. Russ Freeman and the Rippingtons are in a league of their own. I own every CD they have ever released as well as individual efforts by the various band members. However, this latest work, which I have been waiting patiently for, is very well done but it doesn't have that vintage Rippingtons sound that made me an avid fan. Each of the tracks are very well composed and refined but to me they sound too much like the mainstream. Case in point, if someone played any Rippingtons song from their past albums, I would know without a doubt who was playing without being told. However, I cannot say the same for this particular work. No knock on this album though, it does sound very good. It just does not possess that vintage Rippington's sound that I personally was hoping for. I am already looking forward to their next release, "Go Ripps!!!"
17 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I have been a fan of Russ Freeman's guitar playing since his "Nocturnal Playground" album in 1985, and a Ripps fan since their debut disc, "Moonlighting", came out in 1987. I have acquired every one of their CDs since; so this review is somewhat painful for me to write.
Their last few albums, sad to say, seem like throw-away afforts from this fine player, who has proven that he has the chops to equal the elite of modern jazz guitarists. This new effort, "Modern Art", falls into the same trap as their last three albums. It tries so hard to play it safe (for the sake of radio airplay, perhaps), that it dares not tread into more spirited, uptempo territory with high-flying guitar solos and terrific interplay with the horn player (in this case, Jeff Kashiwa, returning to the band after an absence of several albums). It would have been great to hear some new tracks of THAT type of Rippingtons music.
I'm of the opinion that artists are right to go for as much airplay as possible, and that's a tough nut to crack in an age when there are so few radio stations that embrace this type of music. But, as a serious fan, I hope that, once I get the disc home, there will be a few gems that are too adventurous for radio on it, but which show what a musician or a band can really do when they "let it rip". Unfortunately, such is not the case here.
Fans yearning for a signature Ripps tune, like "Tourist in Paradise" or "Curves Ahead", will find slim pickings here. New listeners who hear this disc as their first exposure to the group are hardly likely to think of this music as cutting-edge fusion or contemporary jazz, the way fans of the '80's and '90s's versions of the group think of them. What lies inside the cover of this disc is more smoooooooth jazz, without any desire to get any more adventurous than that.
Their last few albums, sad to say, seem like throw-away afforts from this fine player, who has proven that he has the chops to equal the elite of modern jazz guitarists. This new effort, "Modern Art", falls into the same trap as their last three albums. It tries so hard to play it safe (for the sake of radio airplay, perhaps), that it dares not tread into more spirited, uptempo territory with high-flying guitar solos and terrific interplay with the horn player (in this case, Jeff Kashiwa, returning to the band after an absence of several albums). It would have been great to hear some new tracks of THAT type of Rippingtons music.
I'm of the opinion that artists are right to go for as much airplay as possible, and that's a tough nut to crack in an age when there are so few radio stations that embrace this type of music. But, as a serious fan, I hope that, once I get the disc home, there will be a few gems that are too adventurous for radio on it, but which show what a musician or a band can really do when they "let it rip". Unfortunately, such is not the case here.
Fans yearning for a signature Ripps tune, like "Tourist in Paradise" or "Curves Ahead", will find slim pickings here. New listeners who hear this disc as their first exposure to the group are hardly likely to think of this music as cutting-edge fusion or contemporary jazz, the way fans of the '80's and '90s's versions of the group think of them. What lies inside the cover of this disc is more smoooooooth jazz, without any desire to get any more adventurous than that.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Retrospective Pleasure
This compilation seems a bit reminiscent of the late 80s and early 90s: Back in the days of Freeman, Portman, Reid, Stone, Kashiwa, et al. Read more
Published 4 months ago by markdown
5.0 out of 5 stars
Must Have Jazz
This is another great album by The Rippingtons......a must have addition to your collection, or begin a collection with this album and others by this group.
Published 5 months ago by Elise A. Cunningham
5.0 out of 5 stars
What an Unexpected Treat
I'm new to the Rippingtons, but still I've managed to download 11 of their studio albums in the last several months. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Brian Jackson
4.0 out of 5 stars
Classic Rippingtons
In the classic tradition of Russ Freeman and the Rippingtons the music is enjoyable and relaxing while always being upbeat. Great CD with quick service from the vendor.
Published 18 months ago by William J. Gius
4.0 out of 5 stars
rippington cd
recently purchased 'modern art' by the rippingtons.......as usual, a great cd....I must say all of the songs on the cd are superb.......purchased it @ amazon. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Pat Jackson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable music
My transaction was processed smoothly and the CD and case was received in good condition and within a timely manner. I continue to enjoy the music from the entire album. Read more
Published on January 30, 2011 by M. Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars
Review of Modern Art
Very happy with the condition of CD when it was delivered. Music sounds great.
Published on July 26, 2010 by masmis
3.0 out of 5 stars
Ripps Lite
If you're looking for echoes from the Rippingtons' glory days of Black Diamond, Curves Ahead, and Topaz, you won't find it here. Read more
Published on May 29, 2010 by Mark Mohr
3.0 out of 5 stars
Too many people either love or hate this album. The truth lies between...
As is the case with most bands that have been around for 20+ years, it seems that there are just two types of Rippingtons fans these days - or, perhaps more accurately, two types... Read more
Published on April 20, 2010 by J. Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Rippingtons' Finest Work
I am respectfully disagreeing with my fellow Rippingtons fans, many of whom have posted here saying Russ Freeman's latest release "Modern Art" deserves a place in the middle of the... Read more
Published on March 10, 2010 by Bob Dog
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