{"product_id":"life-in-the-tropics","title":"Life In The Tropics","description":"Amazon.com\n\nWhen Russ Freeman and the Rippingtons exploded on the contemporary jazz scene in 1986 with Moonlighting, the leader's compositional and production style was a breath of fresh air. Over the next decade, however, his much-copied style became a parody of itself and the epitome of the tepid music associated with smooth-jazz radio. After a couple of record label changes, Freeman seems to have regrouped somewhat with Life in the Tropics. Although the first two tracks offer the same Rips formula of a guitar and\/or sax line playing a line with computer-generated rhythms behind synthesizer flourishes adding up to nothing special, cuts 3 through 11 show Freeman searching for a new aural core to his style, a lot of which has to do with the Latin and Caribbean themes of the disc. In fact, \"South Beach Mambo\" sounds straight out of Santana's Supernatural sessions with a horn section adding spice. Saxman Eric Marienthal and pianist Bill Heller stand out, as does trumpeter Ramon Flores. The latter's horn stands particularly since it isn't the smooth-jazz clichéd alto horn sound that the Rippingtons made infamous. Keyboardist Bob James also does a guest shot on what is easily the Rippingtons' best album since 1994's Sahara. --Mark A. Ruffin\n\nProduct Description\n\nOne of the supergroups of contemporary jazz, deliver one of their most innovative and creatively diverse projects. Track Listing: \"Club Paradiso,\" \"Caribbean Breeze,\" \"Love Child.\"\u003cbr\u003eASIN: B00004Z42V\u003cbr\u003eVSKU: HBSV.B00004Z42V.G\u003cbr\u003eCondition: Good\u003cbr\u003eAuthor\/Artist:Rippingtons\u003cbr\u003eBinding: Audio cd\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eNote:\u003c\/b\u003e Any images shown are stock photographs and product may differ from what is shown.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition Notes\u003c\/b\u003e: Discs is in good condition and comes in original case with original artwork.  \u003cbr\u003e","brand":"The Happy Book Stack ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52296798961965,"sku":"HBSV.B00004Z42V.G","price":3.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0855\/6799\/6205\/files\/B00004Z42V-0.jpg?v=1786826242","url":"https:\/\/www.thehappybookstack.com\/products\/life-in-the-tropics","provider":"The Happy Book Stack ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}