Live Across America

Russ Freeman has written some of smooth jazz's more enduring melodies for his Rippingtons. Years ago, however, the band had little identity live, and their leader rarely strayed far from recorded versions. Through persistent touring, Freeman has become a confident performer and improviser, and has built his band into something to see and hear. On this high-octane release, the group demonstrates why every summer they are now one of the top-drawing acts in smooth jazz. This is a feel-good summertime kind of record that not only highlights Freeman's compositional prowess on smooth-jazz chestnuts like "Welcome to the St. James Club" and the classic "She Likes to Watch," from the very first Rippingtons album, Moonlighting, but also those stirring Latin pieces like "Avenida del Mar" and "South Beach Mambo" that show off his soloing ability. Two different versions of the band make up this recording, and they both have well-known saxophonists out front blowing Freeman's lines. One is Eric Marienthal, and the other is Paul Taylor, who has some of his best solos ever on this record, particularly on "She Likes to Watch," "Jewel Thieves," and the appropriately titled "Summer Lovers." --Mark Ruffin