ARTIST - THE RIPPINGTONS

CD - MODERN ART

LABEL - PEAK RECORDS

RELEASE DATE - MARCH, 2009

SOUNDS LIKE - Dave Koz, David Benoit, Paul Hardcastle

DEFINING MOMENTS - Love Story, Jet Set, Paris Groove, Black Book

STRENGTH - Musical Arrangements, Variety, Balance, Melodic Delivery 

WEAKNESS - Nothing to report

KATAVI RATING - 7 out of 7 masks

The Rippintons are back with their 2009 release; Modern Art under Peak Records. This is the bands 18^th release since forming in 1986. It’s always a pleasure to spend time with the Rippingtons weather your bank puts you on hold, or if your waiting in the lobby of your favorite timeshare. The Rippingtons deserve a lot of credit for taking the edge off a billion elevator rides around the planet. I myself am a big fan of jazz, but I admit like my jazz served with fancier bass lines that you can actually hear, and without any cookie cutter drumming. But the Rippingtons are the forefathers of smooth jazz for all these reasons, so all that goes without saying. 

Modern Art introduces a new line up with bassist Rico Belled and the return of veteran saxman Jeff Kashiwa. You may recall his original run with the band was from 1990-1999. This return marks his first full-fledged involvement on a Ripps release since 1997’s Black Diamond. You may recall he did perform on a few tracks on "Life in the Tropics" (2000) and the Rippingtons "20th Anniversary release."

Modern Art logs on at just over 48 minutes in length, and make no bones about it Ripp fans will love this new CD. Modern Art delivers a signature smooth jazz delivery that people have grown accustom to from the Rippingtons. This music fills the atmosphere with calming ambience and peaceful tranquility. The CD opens with the title track; "Modern Art", a perfect blend of Russ Freeman’s acoustical overtones and Jeff Kashiwa’s hooky saxophone brilliance. Track 2: "Paris Groove" is a well crafted piece with impressive accordion playing by Bill Heller reminiscent of an evening in France. I especially like Russ’s electric sitar work on Track 3; "Black Book." It kind of reminds me of Steely Dan’s "Do it Again" guitar solo by Jeff Baxter, and it mixes things up perfectly. Russ and Jeff share the musical space on Modern Art perfectly. Jeff Kashiwa is an absolute master at delivering hooky and catchy Saxophone melodies, while Russ is just as impressive on the fret board. Together they bring alot to the table, and I have to say with all respects to Russ, it’s great to have Jeff back in the line-up. Track 6: "I Still Believe" is a passionate melody full of hope with classic gospel overtones, while Track 7: "Body Art is the most seductive song on the entire CD. Songwriter Yaredt Leon, who co-wrote four songs on The Rippingtons’ 2005 release Wild Card contributes yet again on Track 9: "Sweet Lullaby" a beautiful Spanish lullaby. But my favorite piece is by far "Jet Set". This song really brings it home with a slammin' piano groove that you can’t help but tap your foot to. The final piece "Love Story" is the cherry onto of the whole musical experience with a brilliant trumpet solo by guest musician Rick Braun.

The strong suit of Modern Art is its strong consistency, warm smooth jazz ambience and melodic balance and delivery. This CD has everything you would expect from a traditional Rippingtons release. The Rippingtons are one of the best in the business for all the right reason. Russ Freeman and Jeff Kashiwa are both legends in their own right for the same reasons. Once again it’s great to see Jeff Kashiwa back alongside Russ, and I have to say I feel it's wheree he belongs. It’s hard to believe it’s been over twenty years, but looking back it's hard to find a more impressive musical catalogue anywhere. If you love smooth Jazz this CD will do its job perfectly. Weather its at work, after a long day at the office, or during those extended elevator rides, Modern Art delivers! I thus conclude my dental exam on The Rippingtons by saying Modern Art - yeah it’s pretty much perfect. What else would you expect from the Rippingtons.

My overall rating - 7 out of 7 masks.
 

Cyrus Rhodes - 3/21/09

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