The Rippingtons Highly Anticipated CD "MODERN ART" Set For March 10 Release On Peak Records

Feb. 17, 2009 - PRLog -- Now with their long awaited and highly anticipated new studio album, "MODERN ART," band founder Russ Freeman’s creative mindset blazes new trails along with an explosive new lineup; including powerful bassist Rico Belled and special guest, returning saxophonist Jeff Kashiwa who joins Russ on guitar, Dave Karasony on drums and Bill Heller on keyboards.

The new line-up is reflective of Freeman’s concept of a rotating collective approach under his guidance and vision paving the way, which has included such contemporary jazz superstars as Dave Koz, Kenny G and David Benoit.  Freeman, however, has particularly high praise for Kashiwa, whose original stint with the band was from 1990-99. The sax man’s exciting performances on "MODERN ART" mark his first full-fledged immersion on a Ripps project since 1997’s "Black Diamond"; he performed on tracks in the meantime on "Life in the Tropics" (2000) and "20th Anniversary."

Another key element in making "MODERN ART"  truly worth a trip to the “Ripps Museum” is Freeman’s further development and rich creative partnership and recent marriage to the multi-talented songwriter Yaredt Leon, who co-wrote four songs on The Rippingtons’ 2005 Latin themed excursion "Wild Card."  On the new album, Freeman and Leon co-wrote the exotically romantic “Pastels on Canvas” and the sensual, blues-punched ballad, “I Still Believe.”  Leon has sole writing credit on the graceful, tropical flavored “Sweet Lullaby.”  

After launching 'MODERN ART"  with the funky swinging title track, Freeman—who does more lead acoustic guitar than on any previous project—breaks new ground, incorporating exotic world music elements on the CD’s first single, “Paris Groove.”  The collection also includes the hypnotic “Black Book,” the easy grooving “One Step Closer” and the bluesy “Body Art” will remind longtime fans of the band’s glory days of the 90’s. “Age of Reason” and “Jet Set” expand the group into edgier territory and the CD closes with special guest artist Rick Braun adding his seductive muted trumpet to “Love Story.”

Over the course of the past 23 years, one of the most fun-filled parts of the journey The Rippingtons have taken with their devoted fans has been Freeman’s unique way of opening them up to his extra-musical passions with each recording. Perfectly paralleling these exciting activities as well and the music has been artist Bill Mayer’s famed (and very mobile, diverse and adaptable!) jazz cat, whose presence graces every Ripps album cover since "Moonlighting."   In recent years, Freeman has been cultivating his skills behind the scenes as a talented landscape painter and illustrator, and an admirer and collector of modern art.  “I’m very proud of the paintings I have in my collection as well as my own that I’ve recently started to hang in the house. I’m hoping I can encourage some of our fans to appreciate art as much as I do, and I soon plan to start posting some of my work on our website (www.rippingtons.com)."

As The Rippingtons move beyond their 20th Anniversary, it’s a good time to stop for a moment, contemplate the past as we look forward to the future, and admire their latest work of "MODERN ART."  States Freeman:  “I think the music of The Rippingtons has struck a universal chord that is hard to fully explain.  I value being part of everyone’s collective musical experiences more than I ever did—and am very excited about continuing to share my passions with those who share theirs.”

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