I pre-ordered it from CD Universe and am anxious to hear it. Now, if they would only come out with a concert DVD. Peace and goodwill.

well, to be honest, the samples didn't exactly light my fire, although they are very good.
I guess I've just "OD-ed" on sax over tha past couple of years and have grown very tired of it as a lead instrument.

I still intend to order it, and I know it'll grow on me like all the Ripps releases do, but I'm not hearing anything major ground breaking in the samples. Except of course, the accordion!

Actually, I just cancelled the preorder with CD Universe and ordered it from the Ripps store because I will get it afew days earlier. Peace and goodwill.

Bassix and everyone,

Well, there is a little something ground-breaking on the track "Black Book" I forgot to mention.

Russ plays electric sitar on the track, which has a vibe similar to "Sapphire Island" from the "Best Of" GRP compilation as well as "Girl With The Indigo Eyes" from "Sahara," but a "modern" twist.

Signed,




Eric Viccaro
Peak Records — "Modern Art" from The Rippingtons in March, and "Foreign Exchange" with Paul Brown and Marc Antoine in April!

The Ripps played several of the new tracks on the cruise. Russ mentioned that "radio" is already fond of "Paris Groove". Bill Heller is the man! He didn't play the accordion live (he had an accordion sample on his keyboard) but it still sounded great. And on one of the tunes BH used some type of vocal synthesizer (in the vein of Peter Frampton's talk box for those old enough to remember it)- it was really cool!!!

Well, it's another snowy day in New England and so I have been spending WAY too much time on the computer - gazing at Kat's palm tree photos and sending out Modern Art E-cards - and now I am more excited than ever to get my hands on the actual CD - it's just a few days away! It will be a real bright spot in this upside down world that we are living in! I am SO looking forward to the summer/09 tour schedule - even though right now it seems as if summer will never get return to these parts.

Still waiting for my copy. Can't await to review it. ;-)

Mine came in the mail today!!! I am listening to it now for the first time. I am up to track five, which is my favorite so far. I like the first one too, and the others, tracks two, three, and four, are good too.

I also bought the T-shirt. Man! am I psyched!

Eric- sorry so long in replying, I've been too busy to do much internet stuff....

A sitar is not ground breaking, dude. Russ has used that sound (while maybe not a real sitar, it still sounds like it) on several past CDs. Sahara's cd had it, I think Brave New World had some sitar in it also. To be honest, it does nothing for me- sounds too twangy and actually is annoying; I have cut the songs that had it in it, out of my collection. (Along with While My Guitar Gently Weeps, that version gives me the shivers....)

Which, by the way, is not a criticism of Russ or his talents; I love the vast majority of his tunes and think he's a brilliant composer. I just don't always like his choice of instrument patches. Comes down to a matter of tastes.

I've listened to the samples several times today (home from work, sick today) and there's some excellent stuff in this one. I'm definitely going to buy it.

Later
TonyY

I'll withhold judgment on the new cd until I've had a chance to listen to it a few times.

Russ is featured this week on Art Good's weekly radio show. Some great interviews with Russ. Russ can be heard mid way through each hour set, between the 25 and 35 min mark. You can hear the full versions of Paris Groove, Black Book, I Still Believe and Body Art (my favorite so far). Can't wait till Tuesday. Click on the link and enjoy.

Dan
http://69.43.173.107/jazztrax/