Top Contemporary Jazz Albums – June 20, 1996

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These were the top selling contemporary jazz recordings 25 years ago this week, as reported by Billboard magazine.

  1. Q's Joke Joint by Quincy JonesQuincy Jones, Q’s Jook Joint
  2. Kenny G, Breathless
  3. The John Tesh Project, Discovery
  4. Russ Freeman & the Rippingtons, Brave New World
  5. Randy Crawford, Naked and True
  6. Jerald Daemyon, Thinking About You
  7. George Howard, Attitude Adjustment
  8. Will Downing, Moods
  9. Fourplay, Elixir
  10. Boney James, Seduction
  11. Richard Elliot, City Speak

The Benoit/Freeman topped the chart 25 years ago

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The top ten contemporary jazz recordings from the week of Feb. 13, 1994!

The Benoit/Freeman Project
  1. David Benoit and Russ Freeman, The Benoit/Freeman Project
  2. Nelson Rangell, Yes Then Yes
  3. Tom Scott, Reed My Lips
  4. Richard Smith, From My Window
  5. Torcuato Mariano, Paradise Station
  6. Marcus Miller, The Sun Don’t Lie
  7. Yellowjackets, Run for Your Life
  8. Fourplay, Between the Sheets
  9. Gary Burton/Rebecca Parris, It’s Another Day
  10. Charles Michael Brotman, Pacific Rendezvous

Playlist: 1991 Contemporary Jazz

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I’ve posted the fourth in my series of top contemporary jazz recordings of past years. This one is eight of the best-selling artists in 1991, including the debut recordings from Fourplay and Candy Dulfer, some serious funkiness from David Benoit and Eric Marienthal, the Crusaders produced by Marcus Miller and more! Click the image below to immediately listen and spread the word! Thanks for those who have submitted such nice feedback through 8tracks!

Things I Know About Built to Last from the Rippingtons

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Though it’s been a while since I considered myself a fan of the Rippingtons, I have always remained interested in the Russ Freeman project. Tourist in Paradise was my first love of contemporary jazz and you never forget your first love.

Built to Last is the new recording by the Rippingtons. Here’s what I’ve gathered about it:

  • It will be released on August 28.
  • It took 15 months to write and record.
  • The first single is “Cougars and Gigolos.”
  • The are 16 tracks on the recording, including four orchestral renditions and a classical guitar reprise of the title track.
  • Former Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zakk Wylde is featured on the track “Monument/Monolith.”
  • iTunes offers a “deluxe edition” with a bonus track and digital booklet.
  • Bill Mayer contributes yet another outstanding jazz cat illustration for the cover.
  • The range of music goes from “orchestrated, widescreen epics, to lyrical, smooth ballads, and high energy, progressive jazz-rock.”

Sources: Rippingtons official site, Amazon

8 from 1989 – Mix Online!

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Take a step into the past with these eight tracks from contemporary jazz releases that came out in the year 1989! Listen to classics from the Rippingtons, Miles Davis, and Hiroshima. Also, who put the meat in my bed?! It’s the second mix I’ve published on 8tracks. If you like this blast from the past, check out my 1988 mix with David Sanborn, David Benoit, Spyro Gyra, Tom Grant, Kim Pensyl, and Al Jarreau.

1989 Contemporary Jazz from contemporaryjazz on 8tracks.