Life in the Tropics in Bloomington, MN

Life in the Tropics
-- the first
Peak Records
release for
the Rippingtons
-- features guitarist
Russ Freeman
and is a great smooth jazz celebration of rhythmic delights that resemble the tropical splendor of an island oasis. The natural beauty of each composition is reflected by the great talents of
:
Kim Stone
on bass,
Dave Kochanski
on keyboards,
Ramon Yslas
on percussion, and
Dave Hooper
on drums, along with special guests the great saxophonists
Dave Koz
,
Eric Marienthal
, and
Paul Taylor
, keyboardist
Bob James
, and guitarist
Peter White
. The centerpiece of this CD is
"Love Child,"
a sensuous mid-tempo ballad that alternates the brilliant sax work of
Marienthal
and
Taylor
as
Freeman
strums an emotional string sonnet under soulful synths and keyboards. The romantic vocals of
Howard Hewitt
on
"I Found Heaven"
invite you to rediscover his intense passion for a great love ballad. Its lyrics convey the excellent songwriting abilities of
Gary Brown
and their ability to connect to the emotional melorhythms of the listener. The fresh sounds revealed on
are sure to please you because of their melodic elements, rhythms, brass, and great guitar of
. ~ Paula Edelstein