Life in the Tropics

by The Rippingtons

Overview

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 the Rippingtons: 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 Freeman and Gary Brown and their ability to connect to the emotional melorhythms of the listener. The fresh sounds revealed on Life in the Tropics are sure to please you because of their melodic elements, rhythms, brass, and great guitar of Russ Freeman. ~ Paula Edelstein

Product Details

Release Date:	10/10/2000
Label:	Concord Jazz / Peak Records
UPC:	0013431850021

Tracks

1. Club Paradiso
2. Caribbean Breeze
3. Cruisin' Down Ocean Drive
4. Be Cool
5. Rhythm of Your Life
6. Love Child
7. Avenida del Mar
8. I Found Heaven
9. South Beach Mambo
10. Life in the Tropics
11. Island Aphrodisiac

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Rippingtons   Primary Artist
Daisy Villa   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Vocals
Andi Howard   Primary Artist,Vocals (Background)
Michael Angelo Saulsberry   Primary Artist,Vocals (Background)
Bob James   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Keyboards
Dave Koz   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Saxophone
Mark Binder   Primary Artist
Russ Freeman   Primary Artist,Guitar,Vocals,Keyboards,Guitar (Bass),Guitar (Acoustic)
Michael Angelo   Primary Artist
Ramon Yslas   Primary Artist,Vocals,Percussion
Jerry Hey   Primary Artist,Trumpet
Howard Hewett   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Vocals
William Frank "Bill" Reichenbach Jr.   Primary Artist,Trombone
Eric Marienthal   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Saxophone,Sax (Tenor),Sax (Soprano)
Dave Hooper   Primary Artist,Drums,Vocals
Paul Taylor   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Sax (Alto)
Bill Heller   Primary Artist,Piano,Keyboards
Kim Stone   Primary Artist,Bass,Guitar (Bass)
Ramon Flores   Primary Artist,Trumpet
Gary Brown   Primary Artist,Vocals (Background),Bass,Keyboards,Guitar (Bass)
Gary Grant   Primary Artist,Trumpet
Peter White   Primary Artist,Guitar (Classical),Guitar
Laurie Hooper   Vocals
Dave Kochanski   Keyboards
Tony Morales   Drums
Jeff Kashiwa   Saxophone

Technical Credits

Russ Freeman   Producer,Engineer,Composer,Recording,Mixing Engineer,Recording Producer,Rhythm Programming
Gary Brown   Recording Producer,Rhythm Programming,Composer,Producer,Programming
Nick Sodano   Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Mark Binder   Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Robert Hadley   Mastering,Mastering Engineer
Andi Howard   Management,Executive Producer
Michael Angelo Saulsberry   Composer,Producer,Recording Producer
Bill Heller   Arranger,Programming,Rhythm Programming
Ken Freeman   Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Alexis Davis   Product Development
Bill Mayer   Cover Art
Posie Muliadi   Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Dave Hooper   Photography
Doug Sax   Mastering,Mastering Engineer
Lourdes Villa   Composer
Ray Bardani   Mixing,Mixing Engineer
Michael Angelo   Performer