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Sahara is the eighth album by American Jazz group The Rippingtons, released in 1994 on the GRP label. The album reached number two on Billboard’s contemporary Jazz chart. It is also the first of two studio albums to be released under the name Russ Freeman & The Rippingtons, with the next being Brave New World.

Track listing:
All tracks written by Russ Freeman except where noted.

“Native Sons of a Distant Land” – 4:47
“True Companion” – 4:26
“I’ll Be Around” (Phil Hurtt, Thomas Bell) – 4:04
“Principles of Desire” – 4:41
“Sahara” – 5:01
“‘Til We’re Together Again” – 5:17
“The Best Is Yet to Come” – 4:59
“Journey’s End” – 3:13
“Girl With the Indigo Eyes” – 4:49
“Porscha” – 4:49

Personnel:
The Rippingtons:

Russ Freeman – keyboards, acoustic guitars (1, 2, 5, 6), electric guitars (1, 2, 5-7, 9), 12-string guitar (1, 2, 5), mandolin (2), bass (2-4, 9), guitars (3, 4, 10), rhythm programming (3, 4, 9), baritone guitar (5, 8), percussion (6, 8), classical guitar (8)
Tom McMorran – acoustic piano solo (2, 7), additional keyboards (7) [uncredited in 6]
Kim Stone – bass (1, 5-7, 9, 10)
Tony Morales – drums (1, 2, 5-7, 9, 10)
Steve Reid – percussion (1, 2, 5, 7, 10)
Jeff Kashiwa – tenor saxophone (1, 10), EWI controller (1), alto saxophone (5, 10), soprano saxophone (8, 9)

Guest Musicians and Vocalists:

Art Wood – loops (3, 4, 9)
Kirk Whalum – tenor saxophone (3, 4)
Jeffrey Osborne – lead vocals (3)
Bridgette Bryant – backing vocals (3, 4)
Lynne Fiddmont – backing vocals (3, 4)
Jim Gilstrap – backing vocals (3, 4)
Phil Perry – backing vocals (3, 4), lead vocals (4)

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Released: August 30, 1994
Recorded: March – May 1994
Studio:
Cheyenne Mountain Ranch Studios (Colorado)
Ameraycan Studios and The Slam Shack (North Hollywood, California)
Length: 46:06
Label: GRP
Producer: Russ Freeman