Just passing through

CD REVIEW: The Rippingtons featuring Russ Freeman
Wildcard (Peak Records)
Star rating: *

The Rippingtons have characterised “smooth jazz” since the 1980s. There’s nothing wrong with that; Stan Getz made it in the 1960s, Chuck Mangione in the 1970s. Wildcard, though, is defined by the genre rather than setting any boundaries of its own. This band discovered Kenny G, before whom soprano saxophone was synonymous with Coltrane and Shorter, not insipid balladry and bad hair. For Wildcard, founder Russ Freeman rediscovered classical guitar and his playing is its least trite characteristic. In spite of guest vocals by Chante Moore and Miami salsa singers Willy Chirino and Albita on a couple of songs, the aggregated talents on Wildcard amount only to a musical laxative.