★★★★★
Bandleader, guitarists and songwriter Russ Freeman pulls no stops on the Rippingtons' 25th anniversary release, Built to Last, featuring a full orchestra to complement the sound of his compositions, has he runs the gamut of the sounds that have influenced him throughout the years, moving from movie score-like tunes to heavy metal, country & western and retro-sounding jazz. The album kicks off with the title tune, which sounds as if it belongs in a film soundtrack...
- www.allaboutjazz.com
2012-08-30
★★★★★
Russ Freeman and the Rippingtons have been making music for more than 25 years. That means that Freeman and his band mates spend a lot of time on the road touring and performing in live concerts. The Rippingtons' fans know that Freeman draws inspiration for a lot of his music from many of their ports of call, and he often names records after many of the countries and cities that the Rippingtons have visited over the years...
- www.soultracks.com
2011-02-20
★★★★★
Rippingtons albums generally reflect some sort of theme and this time is no exception as the veteran contemporary-jazz band travels to South Beach for the delightfully high-spirited, Latin-tinged Wild Card. Guitarist and group leader Russ Freeman typically writes most of the Rippingtons' music, but he collaborated with several composers on this outing. The band's faithful need not worry, however-Freeman's trademark catchy melodies are still amply represented...
- www.jazztimes.com
2010-02-19
★★★★★
At the age of ten, Nashville born musician Russ Freemen picked up his first guitar and has been entertaining the world ever since. He conceived of an early musical philosophy after the demise of the Beatles - any group he started would never break-up. A heady proposition, especially if you've ever been involved in a group for any length of time...
- www.geocities.com
2009-07-10
★★★★★
I consider Russ Freeman one of the most versatile smooth jazz performers today. He is a producer, writer, guitarist and keyboardist. He has a passion for whatever he does. Away from music, his latest passion is golf and the new release from his group The Rippingtons brings that passion for golf through music. It's called Let it Ripp and it is the groups first studio album in three years...
- www.jazzreview.com
2009-06-08
★★★★★
In a flurry of creative venture and scheme, Russ Freeman and his "band of usual suspects" of acclaim (Kim Stone on bass, Ramon Yslas on percussion, Dave Hooper on drums and touring keyboardist Dave Kochanski) have found a way to musically transport you to the blue Caribbean without ever leaving your CD player...
- www.jazzreview.com
2009-06-08
★★★★★
One of the most enduring and recognizable bands in the annals of smooth jazz anthology are The Rippingtons. Founded in 1987 by Russ Freeman, this phenomenal group has stood the test of longevity and have remained popular throughout their existence. Their very first release entitled 'Moonlighting was voted the #1 Most Influential Contemporary Jazz Album of all time by Jazziz magazine. Over the last 16 years, The Rippingtons have consistently charted on smooth jazz charts everywhere...
- www.jazzreview.com
2009-06-08
★★★★★
Known as the smooth jazz pioneers, The Rippingtons have been tearing up the air-waves since the 80s and still inspire other artists today. Always ahead of the groove. Always on top of the scene. Opening the CD with title track Modern Art, The Rippingtons tease the audience with Kashiwas' sweltering sax coaxing profound background rhythms into high action. "Paris Groove" brings a strong sense of romance through acoustic guitar driven grooves by Freeman, enhanced by the sound of accordion...
- www.jazzreview.com
2009-06-08
★★★★★
The Rippingtons have put together another contemporary jazz fan's "Dream". The Rippingtons really know what jazz fans want and they give it to you holding nothing back. How do they continue to do it? When this question was posed to Russ Freeman, he responds by saying, "I know that there are a lot of you out there who have every CD that we have done. I think about this fact every time I sit down to write another CD...
- www.jazzreview.com
2009-06-08
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