Rippingtons
Sahara
The Story
Musician/producer Russ Freeman dominates "Sahara" with his guitar work, arrangements, compositions and attitude, but he has the good sense to surround himself with quality musicians such as Tony Morales (drums), Steve Reid (percussion) and Jeff Kashiwa (on sax and EWI). Keyboardist Tom McMorran adds a couple of beautiful piano solos to "True Companion" and "The Best Is Yet To Come". Freeman includes two pop vocal numbers on "Sahara" (the Spinners cover track "I'll Be Around", Jeffrey Osborne on vocals and "Principles Of Desire", Phil Perry, lead vocals) with the eight smooth jazz instrumentals. But guitarists will focus in on the way Freeman incorporates his varied guitar sounds into the mix to achieve the desired result.
The Music
| 04:47 | Native Sons Of A Distant Land | Instrumental |
| 04:26 | True Companion | Instrumental |
| 04:04 | I'll Be Around | Vocal |
| 04:41 | Principles Of Desire | Vocal |
| 05:01 | Sahara | Instrumental |
| 05:17 | 'Til We're Together Again | Instrumental |
| 04:59 | The Best Is Yet To Com | Instrumental |
| 03:13 | Journey's End | Instrumental |
| 04:49 | Girl With The Indigo Eyes | Instrumental |
| 04:49 | Porsha | Instrumental |
The Artists
| Russ Freeman | Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Keyboards, 12-String Guitar, Bass, Mandolin, Rhythm Programming, Baritone Guitar, Production, Arrangements, Engineering, Mixing |
| Jeff Kashiwa | EWI, Tenor Sax, Alto Sax, Soprano Sax |
| Kim Stone | Bass |
| Steve Reid | Percussion |
| Tony Morales | Drums |
| Tom McMorran | Acoustic Piano Solo, Additional Keyboards |
| Jeffrey Osborne | Lead Vocals on "I'll Be Around" |
| Kirk Whalum | Tenor Sax |
| Art Wood | Loops |
| Lynne Fiddmont | Background Vocals |
| Birdgette Bryant | Background Vocals |
| James Gilstrap | Background Vocals |
| Phil Perry | Vocals on "Principles Of Desire", Background Vocals |
| Jon "Tokes" Patoker | Engineering for Jeffrey Osborne's Vocals |
| Dave Grusin | Executive Production |
| Larry Rosen | Executive Production |
| Carl Griffin | Mixing |
| Vlado Miller | Mastering |
| Andi Howard | Album Coordination |
| Michael Landy | Post-production |
| Laurie Goldman | Graphic Design |
| Joseph Doughney | Post-production |
| Cara Bridgins | GRP Production Coordination |
| Joseph Moore | GRP Production Coordination Assistance |
| Carl Studna | Photography |
| Bill Mayer | Cover Illustration |
| Alba Acevedo | Inside Illustration, Art Direction |
| Dan Serrano | Art Direction |
| Hollis King | Art Direction |
| Freddie Paloma | Graphic Design |
| Sonny Mediana | GRP Production Direction |
| Lilian Barbuti | GRP Production Direction Assistance |
| Andy Baltimore | GRP Creative Direction |
| Recorded and mixed at Cheyenne Mountain Ranch Studios, Colorado, USA.
Additional recording at Ameraycan Studios and Slam Shack Studios in North Hollywood, CA. Mastered at Sony Music Studios, NYC. Post-production at The Review Room, NYC. |
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