Fans that have followed Russ Freeman and The Rippingtons know he has a penchant for naming songs and albums after exotic places. The latest, Cote D'Azur, taps into a spirit that's deeper and more transcendent than any other group project to date.
All of the songs on Cote D'Azur tell stories of Freeman's travels in France with his wife Yaredt Leon. Cote D'Azur is book ended with songs they wrote together.
"This is the best album I've ever written," he says, "and unlike on any other Rippingtons recording, the music is a pristine crystallization of the way I first heard it in my head. I think the incredible cultural connection between France and America hit me one night in Nice.
On their latest Peak Records album, Russ Freeman and The Rippingtons take their lucky fans on a trip of a lifetime to Cote D'Azur.. Travelling with them is their trademark jazz cat, by artist Bill Mayer, who again graces the CD cover art.
Personnel: Russ Freeman, Jeff Kashiwa, Rico Belled, Bill Heller, Dave Karasony.
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