Customer Reviews

Moonlighting

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I own only three Rippingtons titles: Moonlighting, Tourist in Paradise, and Life In The Tropics. All three are like your kids...you can't have just one favorite. Likewise, all three titles are my Rippingtons favorites. Moonlighting is where it all started for the Rippingtons. It's great contemporary, fusion jazz with guest performances by Kenny G on a few tracks (a year before he would strike it big with his own Duotones album) and David Benoit.Moonlighting by Russ Freeman and his crew evokes a positive, uplifting beginning and welcoming invitation to the rest of their future releases ! Absolutely the kind of music to calm the jangled nerves and get rid of the daily work stress or traffic jam anxiety and still awesome enough to dance to with that someone special. It's definitely music for pure pleasure for the senses, mind, heart and soul.

Whether it's 1986, 1996 , or 2005, Moonlighting holds up extremely well...I truly also recommend getting Tourist In Paradise (excellent track on cd called Jupiter's Child) and Life In The Tropics (Latin, tropical flavored fusion jazz).

Rippington's during the period Moonlighting was made were the epitomy of Jazz fusion with latino flair. Fusion today is milk toast compared to this CD. "Soft Jazz" has become the term for bands and artists of this genre, and it fits. All radio friendly and crossover hopeful. This CD smokes with vibes, fast guitar, syncapated rythyms, and memorable melodies. Toe tapping and should be played twice in a row to let it sink in. Russ Freeman is the most under-rated jazz guitarist of his time. He is never mentioned with Carlton, Rit, Lorber, Dimeola,etc..... He is a great songwriter and his music appeals to all that listen, old and young alike......

My Rippingtons collection started with Life in the Tropics and I worked backward. I finally ended up at Moonlighting, and boy what a treat! I'd read such good reviews about this CD, I purchased it without hearing a single note. Definitely my favorite Ripps release, and surely one of my favorite CDs period! If you don't have Moonlighting, get it!

This album started the Rippingtons Saga of success, it includes such lovely tunes as "She Likes To Watch", "Angela" "Moonlighting" and one of my all time favorites "Dreams". A perfect music for a romantic "moonlight" chat with a love one

Moonlighting is the definitive album by The Rippingtons. It was their very first and was released in 1986. This record is great and it's a fantastic example of their unique and recognizable sound. This has some great music on it.

My top 3 favorite tracks from this are 1,4, and 7. Moonlighting, their very first song, is great and has a nice clear, relaxing sound to it. Dreams is another good piece with a mellow melody and very nice synthesizer noises. Open All Night is a great song with an upbeat tempo. In fact, Kenny G does the soprano saxophone on this particular song.

Broadly intaking, this is a classic cd by the group. It defines their sound and sets many new standards. If you're looking for a great Rippingtons album, purchase this. It will open you up to the group and you won't be dissapointed. Thank you for taking the time and generosity to read my review.

We should all be happy this cd was re-issued, it's awesome

This is the Rippington's first album. It features music from a lot of different artists (Kenny G, Russ Freemen, David Benoit, David Koz, and many more famous artists). All of the songs have a similar feel to them - like your dancin' about in the moonlight . . .

It really is as simple as that. From the first track, "Moonlighting", to the last, "Intimate Strangers", I was thoroughly impressed by the creative depth of the music, all while it remains very listenable to even the casual music lover. One doesn't necessarily have to be inclined to an advanced degree of musicianship in order to find this music pleasurable, but, taking that into consideration, you'll definitely experience brilliant musicianship throughout.
This music really is made for any and all occasions. I've cooked dinner while having this play in the background, I play it when I lounger outside by the pool and go for a swim, and I've even put in the CD player I've got in my room and listened to it while falling asleep. No matter what you're up to, music like this is always good to have.

Although all 8 tracks on Moonlighting are very good, the standouts for me are quite clear:

Track 1: Moonlighting
Track 2: She Like to Watch
Track 7: Open All Night
Track 8: Intimate Strangers

The remaining 4 tracks are all very well done and enjoyable, but they just didn't peak my interest quite as much as the ones mentioned above.
I should probably add that this album is only the beginning to what turned out to be a very lengthy and formidable career band leader and creative force Russ Freeman. Be sure to buy other records by The Rippingtons if you enjoyed this one. Trust me, as good as this one is, they get even better with the next few albums.

For years all I had of this album was a copy of a copy on a cassette tape. I tried in vain to purchase this album but the war between Geffen and Passport made that impossible. When "Moonlighting" was once again available I could not buy it fast enough. To the person who gave this album 1 star I say this; yes Kenny G is one of the artists who helped create the magic that is "Moonlighting" and his sweet, sultry sax on "She Likes to Watch" is nothing short of wonderful. This entire album is a one of a kind work that just hits the mark on each and every track. It's simply great!

Perhaps this falls into the category of never as good as the first time as "Moonlighting" their 1986 debut album remains my faovrite Rippingtons album to date and I've listened to their music on the radio for almost my entire life. The sounds of this CD are way ahead of their time and songs like "Intimate Strangers", and the ever trancendent "She Likes To Watch" are amzingly innovative by 1986 standards. It's hard to beleive that this CD is from 1986! A large number of subsequent albums since then have not aged as well as this! Highly recommended!