Rippingtons "Topaz"

Rippingtons "Topaz"

album cover

Rippingtons
Topaz
The Story
""Topaz" is about a small town in New Mexico named Taos," ethuses guitarist Russ Freeman. "I became fascinated by the idea of doing a Southwest American theme albbum a few years ago, when I realized that I've lived half my life in the West." To lend an authentic voice to the instrumental tunes on "Topaz", Freeman enlisted the help of Robert Tree Cody, who plays a carved wooden flute on several cuts. Freeman himself uses a variety of guitars, including a classical, an acoustic and his trusty electric to add an edge to the proceedings. Alternately mystical and deeply melodic, "Topaz" is entertaining world/jazz for a late morning ride.
The Music
05:53 Taos Instrumental
04:40 Summer Lovers Instrumental
05:01 Spirits In The Canyon Instrumental
04:18 Under A Spanish Moon Instrumental
04:45 Temple Of The Sun Instrumental
04:42 Stories Of The Painted Desert Instrumental
04:21 Snakedance Instrumental
05:20 Led Here By An Eagle Instrumental
04:57 Topaz: Gem Of The Setting Sun Instrumental
04:58 Rain Instrumental
The Artists
Russ Freeman Classical, Acoustic, Electric & 12-String Guitars, Keyboards, Bass, Arrangements, Production, Engineering, Mixing, Executive Production
Robert Tree Cody Carved Wooden Flute
Bill Heller Additional Keyboards, Organ Solo, Kawai 9-Foot Acoustic Grand Piano
Dave Hooper Drums, Percussion
Paul Taylor Alto Sax, Soprano Sax
Dave Kochanski Acoustic Piano Solo
Kim Stone Bass, Arco Bass
Tom Gannaway Flamenco Guitar Introduction
Tony Morales Drums
Steve Reid Percussion
Nick Sodano Engineering, Mixing
Andi Howard Executive Production
Doug Sax Mastering
Sonny Mediana Art Direction, Photography
Carl Studna Russ Freeman Photography
Bill Mayer Cover Art
Recorded and mixed at Cheyenne Mtn. Ranch Studios, Colorado.

Mastered at The Mastering Lab, Hollywood, CA.

Design by A to A Graphics, NYC.