Description

The Rippingtons – Kilimanjaro – Vinyl Record

Kilimanjaro is an album by The Rippingtons, a renowned American contemporary jazz group founded by guitarist Russ Freeman. Released in 1988, this album is a key part of the band’s early discography and showcases their signature blend of jazz, pop, and world music influences.

Kilimanjaro features smooth jazz compositions with a strong melodic focus, driven by Freeman’s clean, articulate guitar playing. The album is known for its fusion of various musical styles, incorporating elements of African rhythms and melodies, which align with the evocative title referencing Africa’s highest mountain. This exotic influence is woven through the tracks, providing a vibrant and rhythmic backdrop to the band’s jazz arrangements.

Tracks like ‘Northern Lights’ and the title track ‘Kilimanjaro’ stand out for their catchy melodies and intricate interplay between the guitar, keyboards, and saxophone. The album as a whole is characterized by its upbeat, accessible sound, appealing to both jazz aficionados and casual listeners who enjoy the smooth, polished feel of contemporary jazz.

Kilimanjaro is celebrated for its pioneering approach to smooth jazz, helping to define the genre in the late 1980s and influencing many musicians in the years that followed. It remains a favorite among fans of The Rippingtons for its innovative blend of smooth jazz with world music textures.

One of the most popular groups in what is loosely termed ‘contemporary jazz,’ the Rippingtons were formed (and have been led ever since) by guitarist/keyboardist Russ Freeman (no relation to the veteran West Coast bop pianist of the same name). Freeman (born February 11, 1960, in Nashville) studied at Cal Arts and UCLA, and recorded Nocturnal Playground as a leader in 1985 for the Brainchild label, a one-man project.

In 1987, he was approached to record for the Japanese Alfa label and came up with the Rippingtons name for the all-star group he used on the disc (Moonlighting), an ensemble featuring David Benoit, Kenny G., and Brandon Fields. Their album was released domestically by Passport and became a hit. Freeman soon formed a regular touring band (usually including saxophonist Jeff Kashiwa, bassist Kim Stone, drummer Tony Morales, and percussionist Steve Reid), cut a second disc for Passport, and the group recorded regularly for GRP.

Russ Freeman writes all of the music for the Rippingtons, much of which falls in the pop/R&B genre. In the late ’90s, the group moved over to the Windham Hill label, recording such albums as Black Diamond (1997), Topaz (1999), Live! Across America, and Life in the Tropics (both in 2000). For 2003’s Let It Ripp, the band relied heavily on their horn section to carry the weight of the album.

Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic seal

Passport Records 1988

Track Listing
1. Morocco
2. Northern Lights
3. Dream Of The Sirens
4. Katrina’s Dance
5. Kilimanjaro
6. Back Stabbers
7. Love Notes
8. Los Cabos!
9. Oceansong