Life in the Tropics

1	Club Paradiso / Russ Freeman 4:23
2	Caribbean Breeze / Peter White 4:23
3	Cruisin' Down Ocean Drive / Dave Hooper 4:38
4	Be Cool / Dave Hooper 4:25
5	Rhythm of Your Life / Bill Heller 4:00
6	Love Child / Bill Heller 4:20
7	Avenida del Mar / Dave Hooper 5:17
8	I Found Heaven / Gary Brown 4:24
9	South Beach Mambo / Dave Hooper 4:47
10	Life in the Tropics / Dave Hooper 4:56
11	Island Aphrodisiac / Dave Hooper 4:41

Barnes & Noble

The Rippingtons should get some kind of truth-in-advertising award for Life in the Tropics. Here's a recording that positively brims with a groove-acious atmosphere that speaks of chilling out in the islands with a propulsive dance partner at your side and a cold piña colada waiting for you back at your table. Group leader and producer Russ Freeman -- who takes on guitar and occasional bass and keyboards throughout the album -- has draped the whole project in a lush sonic environment that moves to a delightful Latin undercurrent. (Freeman also has his hands in the composition of nearly every song, ensuring a consistent feel for the entire album.)"Avenida Del Mar" is set off by a biting Santana-ish groove, snappy horns, and percussion and highlights a Freeman solo that has more than a touch of Carlos going for it; "South Beach Mambo," which benefits from a neat trumpet turn by Ramon Flores, also proves that Freeman's been doing his share of listening to Supernatural. Other tracks are just as seductive. The easy-moving ballad "I Found Heaven" gets a lovely lead vocal by guest Howard Hewett, while the rhythmic title track gets special keyboard attention from Bob James. In all, Life in the Tropics acts as a quick trip to warmer climes, without actually leaving your living room. William Pearl

All Music Guide

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