Artist:The Rippingtons
Album: Modern Art
Label: Peak Records (Concord Music Group)
Release Date: March 10th, 2009

Smooth Jazz pioneers, The Rippingtons released their latest album, Modern Art, March 10th 2009 via Peak Records (Concord Music Group). With a legacy firmly rooted in smooth Jazz, The Rippingtons’ 18th release features an explosive lineup lead by founder Russ Freeman alongside Dave Karasony, Bill Heller, as well as new bassist Rico Belled and special guest, returning saxophonist Jeff Kashiwa.

Modern Art breaks new stylistic ground, incorporating exotic world music elements on the sensuously romantic, acoustic guitar driven “Paris Groove” and adds an Eastern authenticity to the hypnotic “Black Book” with an electric sitar. With the sizzling interaction between Freeman’s slow burning electric guitar and Kashiwa’s wild sax improvisations, the easy grooving “One Step Closer” and bluesy “Body Art” will remind longtime fans of the band’s glory days of the ’90s, but with a souped up twist!

The Rippingtons, whose first lineup included future contemporary Jazz superstars Dave Koz, Kenny G and David Benoit, dominated the instrumental and urban Jazz landscape from the late ‘80s on with their often exotically titled hit recordings, including Kilimanjaro, Tourist in Paradise and Welcome to the St. James Club.

Streaming Audio:

“Paris Groove”
- Windows Media
- Quick Time

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