Black Diamond
The Rippingtons · 1997
52 min · 11 tracks · jazz
A vibrant fusion of contemporary jazz with rich melodies and intricate arrangements that invites listeners on a sonic journey.
Top tracks — play these first
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Black Diamond — The title track encapsulates the album's essence with its dynamic instrumentation and memorable melody, setting the tone for the entire project.
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Seven Nights in Rome — This track features a captivating blend of rhythms and harmonies, showcasing the band's ability to create an evocative atmosphere through music.
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Soul Seeker — With its soulful melodies and intricate guitar work, this track highlights the band's technical prowess and emotional depth, making it a standout moment on the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album showcases strong compositions and skilled performances, though it follows familiar smooth jazz patterns.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of layered instrumentation, with guitars and keyboards often intertwining to create rich textures.
- Several tracks incorporate extended solos, allowing individual musicians to showcase their virtuosity within the arrangements.
- The first half of the album maintains an upbeat tempo, while the latter half introduces slower, more contemplative pieces.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- vibrant melodies for relaxation
- late-night ambiance with friends
- soulful reflections during solitude
- engaging instrumental explorations
- dynamic pacing with smooth transitions
Maybe skip if you
- seeking fast-paced excitement
- prefer vocal-driven tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1997, Black Diamond is The Rippingtons' sixth studio album, showcasing their continued evolution in the smooth jazz genre. This album followed the commercial success of their previous release, Weekend in Monaco, further solidifying their reputation as pioneers in contemporary jazz during the late '90s.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Spyro Gyra· Chick Corea Elektric Band· Dave Koz
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Black Diamond 4:46
- 2 Deep Powder 6:16
- 3 Seven Nights in Rome 5:05
- 4 Soul Seeker 4:40
- 5 In Another Life 5:41
- 6 Big Sky 4:23
- 7 If I Owned the World 3:39
- 8 North Peak 4:12
- 9 Angelfire 4:13
- 10 Jewel Thieves 5:05
- 11 Black Diamond (acoustic version) 4:09
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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