Chris Standring - As We Think

Styles: Smooth Jazz
Year: 2024
Time: 47:42
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 109,7 MB
Art: Front

(3:58) 1. Chocolate Shake
(5:11) 2. Good Gracious
(4:11) 3. Come Closer
(3:44) 4. Top Hat & Tails
(4:25) 5. Alphabet Soup
(4:26) 6. Bedtime Story
(4:52) 7. Michael's Watch
(4:07) 8. This Life
(4:35) 9. Monday Madness
(4:28) 10. Swings & Roundabouts
(3:39) 11. Too Good To Be True

The title of Chris Standring's new album As We Think is derived from a book written by James Allen in 1902 called As A Man Thinketh. Chris sees the album as an expression of his positive thinking, whereby the fact that Chris is releasing a new album is in itself a reason for optimism.

One could now pontificate about the miserable state of the music industry, especially in the field of instrumental jazz. But let's instead take up the positive attitude of the guitarist, who originally hails from the UK.

Well-known musicians such as Andre Berry (bass), Chris Coleman (drums), Rodney Lee (Rhodes), Lenny Castro (percussion), Dino Soldo (tenor sax, harmonica), Terry Disley (piano), Larry Steen (upright bass), Aaron Janik (trumpet), Brandon Fields (alto sax), Katisse Buckingham (tenor sax) and Ido Meshulam (trombone) contributed to the album.

The album starts with Chocolate Shake and, like the deliciously sweet drink, Chris refreshes us with new guitar sounds. Whereby a pinch of Talkbox should spice up the song a little.

Good Gracious continues in a relaxed and fluffy manner, with keyboard chords and guitar riffs rapidly circling the melody. The horn section and strings provide the necessary rounding off. Rodney Lee sets his own accents with his Rhodes, which bring in something British. Come Closer cannot be denied a certain recognition value. Fans of EWF will be delighted with the horn quotes.

Top Hat and Tails is a phrase commonly used to describe a formal dress code for men. It refers to the combination of a top hat and a tailcoat, typically worn for very formal events such as weddings. Now you should know that Chris married a beautiful woman last year and this song radiates the happiness they both experience in their togetherness.

Alphabet Soup refers to a type of soup that contains small pasta letters or shapes that resemble letters of the alphabet. Alphabet Soup is often used as a metaphor to describe a situation or environment that is complex and filled with a wide variety of elements or influences. Special guest on this tune is Dino Soldo presenting a brilliant bit of tenor sax.

Bedtime Story is a gentle melody that invites you to dream like a tale told by a mother to her child. We don't know who Michael is or what kind of watch he wears. What we do know is that Michael's Watch is a lively uplifting tune.

Reggae is a genre of music which often carries messages of peace, unity, and resistance against oppression. It has a laid-back and uplifting vibe that reflects the relaxed lifestyle and positive outlook of the Jamaican people. Now you understand why Chris has transfered this music style into the groovy This Life.

Monday Madness is a condition we are confronted with every Monday. With his music, Chris has developed his own strategy to make the best out of the beginning of the week. Let me add funky, funky.

The British use the phrase Swings and Rundabouts to describe a situation in which everything evens out in the end. Recognizing this result gives rise to the typical serenity with which everyday things are approached.

The last track Too Good To Be True also reflects this inner calm. Even though Chris views his current life situation with a healthy degree of skepticism, he is enjoying this moment to the full. Dino Soldo makes his second contribution on the harmonica creating an eclectic sound.

Behind the phrase As We Think is the idea of sharing one's thinking with others through publication and thereby contributing to progress in the world.This idea can also be applied to Standring's music, which, with its positive basic structure, hopefully contributes to the right development. But if not, it also has its raison d'être, best entertainment.
http://www.smooth-jazz.de/firstview/Standring/AsWeThink.htm

Personnel: Chris Standring, guitar/composer; Andre Berry, bass; Chris Coleman, drums; Terry Disley, piano; Larry Steen, double bass; Lenny Castro, percussion; Aaron Janik, trumpet; Brandon Fields, alto saxophone; Katisse Buckingham & Dino Soldo, tenor saxophone/harmonica; Ido Meshulam, trombone; Rodney Lee, organ; Walter Murphy, horn arrangements.

As We Think

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Chris Standring - Wonderful World

Styles: Guitar Jazz, Jazz Funk
Year: 2021
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:05
Size: 117,9 MB
Art: Front

(4:54) 1. How Insensitive
(5:50) 2. Night & Day
(4:49) 3. Autumn in New York
(4:44) 4. Estate
(4:47) 5. What a Wonderful World
(3:54) 6. Green Dolphin Street
(4:16) 7. Alfie
(4:40) 8. Falling in Love with Love
(4:56) 9. Sunrise
(3:40) 10. Maxine
(4:30) 11. My Foolish Heart

Wonderful World, the fourteenth album as leader by British guitarist Chris Standring, was no doubt recorded with the best of intentions. And make no mistake, the music is warm and lovely, furnishing an opulent showcase for Standring's mellow guitar. Aside from that, however, there's not a whole lot to say. Standring's "orchestra" consists of a nineteen-member string section, while Geoff Gascoyne's syrupy arrangements call to mind popular string-laden sessions from the 1950s and '60s, "easy listening" albums for "late-night lovers" designed by Percy Faith, Jackie Gleason, Bobby Hackett and others, except this time there's a guitar leading the way instead of a trumpet, oboe or English horn. It's a step removed from Mantovani or the 101 Strings orchestra.

Besides the strings, Standring is supported on various tracks by bassists Gascoyne, Chuck Berghofer or Darek Oles and drummers Peter Erskine, Harvey Mason or David Karasony, but their primary task is to keep time while the orchestra plays and Standring solos. Berghofer does have one brief solo, on Cole Porter's "Night and Day." Elsewhere, it's basically all Standring all the time, save for a brief guest appearance by flugelhornist Randy Brecker on Standring's slow-breaking "Sunrise." Of the album's eleven tunes, only one "On Green Dolphin Street" pushes forward more rapidly than a ballad.

The others from Jobim's "How Insensitive" to the standards "Autumn in New York," "Falling in Love with Love" and "My Foolish Heart" to "Estate," Burt Bacharach/Hal David's theme from "Alfie" and Donald Fagen's "Maxine" assume the same hushed and reposeful stance, calmly awaiting the entrance of Standring's genteel and melodious manifestos. The atmosphere is so even-tempered that the drummers could have left their sticks at home, as brushes alone even "On Green Dolphin Street" are more than adequate. There is one vocal, by Kathrin Shorr on the title song. As noted, the music is charming, and Standring is a splendid guitarist, but Wonderful World is best suited for those who are happiest living on a diet comprised solely of tender ballads and love songs. By Jack Bowers
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/wonderful-world-chris-standring-ultimate-vibe

Personnel: Chris Standring: guitar; Geoff Gascoyne: bass; Randy Brecker: trumpet; Peter Erskine: drums; Harvey Mason: drums; David Karasony: drums; Chuck Berghofer: bass, acoustic; Darek Oles: bass; Kathrin Shorr: voice / vocals

Wonderful World

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Chris Standring - The Lovers Remix Collection

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 2023
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:55
Size: 119,4 MB
Art: Front

(4:05) 1. Sensual Overload
(6:12) 2. Liquid Soul
(4:33) 3. Kaleidoscope
(4:19) 4. Albatross
(4:29) 5. Moon Child
(4:40) 6. Contemplation
(4:15) 7. Yesterday's Heaven
(4:44) 8. Another Train
(5:21) 9. Heart of the Matter
(5:49) 10. Gentle Persuasion
(3:23) 11. Reflection

Ultimate Vibe Recordings presents an eleven track set of Chris Standring's most popular chilled out songs with The Lovers Remix Collection, all reworked for 2023 and bristling with his unique and soulful R&B/jazz stylings. Featuring such fan faves as Kaleidoscope and Liquid Soul, this sensual collection of songs sets the mood for any romantic occasion.

Eleven-time Billboard chart topping guitarist Chris Standring wanted to do something special to commemorate his 25th anniversary as a solo recording artist. While his contemporary jazz-based catalogue is comprised of a variety of tones, tempos and textures from instrumental pop and improvisational jazz to soul powered funk and romantic ballads - the requests that he receives most from fans conveys their ardent affection for his chill grooves, seeding the concept for “The Lovers Remix Collection.” On the set arriving June 9 from Ultimate Vibe Recordings, Standring revisits ten songs from his original songbook along with one new track, a bluesy, country twang meets electronic jazz version of Peter Green’s “Albatross,” a personal favorite from when he was growing up in England.

Standring plays electric or nylon string guitar on the collection, exhibiting alacritous dexterity, impassioned precision and virtuoso technique while reimagining some of his most popular tunes, putting a completely different spin on lesser-known numbers, and applying fresh varnish to the mix on a few selections that, with time and distance from when they were originally recorded, “deserved a different take.” Known for imbuing a retro 1970s nuance to his recordings, “The Lovers Remix Collection” sounds futuristic and state of the art, has a mesmerizing vibey feel and a chill jazz ambiance. And yes, the project definitely has a visceral sensual allure.

“When I conceived this project, I wanted it to be the ultimate make out music for a romantic occasion. But don't let me put ideas in your head. I just make the music,” laughed the Los Angeles-based Standring who remixed the album entirely on his own. https://www.chrisstandring.com/lovers-remix-collection-album.html

The Lovers Remix Collection

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Chris Standring - Silent Night

Styles: Guitar, Holiday
Year: 2022
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 34:24
Size: 79,8 MB
Art: Front

(3:34) 1. Deck The Halls
(3:41) 2. The Christmas Song
(4:10) 3. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
(2:36) 4. The First Noel
(3:45) 5. Silent Night
(3:50) 6. Hark The Herald Angels Sing
(3:53) 7. We Three Kings
(2:55) 8. Winter Wonderland
(2:47) 9. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
(3:10) 10. White Christmas

Silent Night, Chris Standring's 2022 unique take on holiday classics sees the prolific composer and arranger digging creatively into new territory and offering some unexpected renditions of these very familiar songs. Capturing the warm, nostalgic and sentimental side of Christmases gone by, Silent Night draws from the classic stylings of Nelson Riddle and Vince Guaraldi all with Standring's very individual guitar voice at front and center throughout.

‘Silent Night’ will be released digitally October 14, 2022 on the Ultimate Vibe Recordings label and is quickly into the seasonal groove with an enchanting rendition of ‘Deck The Halls’. Elsewhere and just as good ‘O Little Town Of Bethlehem’ is a number that demonstrates Standring’s boundless creativity while a standout of the whole collection is his take on the instantly recognizable ‘Christmas Song’. Another instant favourite is the shimmering title cut that Standring presents simply but with an arrangement exuding warmth yet all things considered the Smooth Jazz Therapy top track is the beguiling ‘We Three Kings’. With Dave Karasony on drums and John Leftwich on upright bass it passes the litmus test, and then some, of Christmas music you would be happy listening to in July.

Bass player Kevin Axt completes Standring’s backing line-up and all are superb in jazz trio mode for a hip rendition of ‘Winter Wonderland’ and, although Standring uses ‘God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman’ to conjure up images of (extremely jazzy) carol singers trudging through the snow, it is his reworking of ‘The First Noel’ that will send your mind spinning back to how you remember the best Christmas you ever had.

Talking of music that has stood the test of time the evocative ‘I’m Dreaming Of A White Christmas’ checks just about every box imaginable so to say that Standring takes this memorable tune to a whole new level is testimony to the sensitivity with which he handles it. It provides a fitting end to a superb recording that is sure to be a huge seller, not only this year but for many more Christmases to come. https://www.chrisstandring.com/silent-night-album.html

Silent Night

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Chris Standring - Simple Things

Styles: Guitar Jazz, Smooth Jazz
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:38
Size: 117,5 MB
Art: Front

(4:34) 1. Shadow Of Doubt
(4:51) 2. Thank You Bootsy
(3:46) 3. Change The World
(5:38) 4. A Thousand Words (For Samantha)
(4:41) 5. Face To Face
(4:46) 6. Ain't Nothin But A Thing
(4:11) 7. The Gist Of You
(4:37) 8. No Two Ways About It
(4:04) 9. Too Close For Comfort
(5:13) 10. Don't Get Me Started
(4:12) 11. And The Show Goes On

A few years ago I attended a festival where jazz guitarist Chris Standring was playing with Bob James. In a casual conversation after the concert, I asked Chris if he could imagine to join Fourplay as the new guitarist. Sometimes dreams don't come true. However, the question illustrates my appreciation for his music, which can easily compete in quality with that of guitarists Lee Ritenour, Larry Carlton or Chuck Loeb.

Well, as you can see from the numerous reviews of his albums, I have followed his musical career with great attention, because I consider him one of the great guitarists of our century. His new album Simple Things will be released on May 22, 2022 and Chris has just presented to the audience the first video titled Change The World.

After the passing of Chuck Loeb, which came as a surprise to me, one appreciates the music and creativity of any good musician. In the liner notes, Chris reveals to us that despite a healthy lifestyle, he had suffered a heart attack shortly before the recording of the new album began in March 2021. In view of the current situation with the pandemic and the imminent danger of a new nuclear world war, one is only made aware of the fragility of one's own life. If it is then such a personal incisive experience, as it happened to Chris, you begin to weigh one' s life and ask, what is important for me?

For Chris, it's the Simple Things in his new chapter of life. "Spending time with loved ones, being present, doing things with joy, thinking of others." So he considers his album a gift to his friends and, of course, to himself, because Chris is a musician through and through.

Besides Chris (guitar, keyboards and programming) you can listen to his longtime friends, Rodney Lee (keyboards), Andre Berry (bass), Chris Coleman (bass), Kevin Axt (upright bass), and Gary Meek (tenor sax). Chris has written, produced and arranged all songs.

The album opens with Shadow Of Doubt. If one ever existed, Chris blows it away with his Benedetto guitar. A funky uplifting melody to awaken the spirits. Speaking of funk, we also have Bootsy Collins. With Thank You Bootsy, Chris is building a personal tribute to this legend.

Change The World, the first single of the album, reminds me a bit of Ready Steady Flow. The sound of his guitar is admittedly dominant characteristic. The emotional versatility of his guitar playing is also remarkable. On A Thousand Words (For Samantha) resonates a lot of tenderness.

On Face To Face, Chris brilliantly links the styles of other guitarists. I especially liked the Prince quote. With Ain't Nothing But A Thing he reaches deeper into the citation box of music history with a conspicuous reference to James Brown.

On his new album Chris also serves us melancholic pieces with depth and content. A good example is The Gist Of You. No Two Ways About It makes it clear that sometimes you have to make your choices and there are no alternatives. Chris sees it positively in this case.

Many things threaten our well-being, especially when they get too near to us. The term Too Close For Comfort aptly describes this condition. Chris does not build up a threatening backdrop with his melodious song, but envelops us with mellifluous guitar tones.

On Don't Get Me Started Chris invites saxophonist Gary Meek to a featured sax solo with extensive improvisations. With the final And The Show Goes On Chris sends a clear signal: "I will stay with you". I've been enjoying Chris Standring's new album Simple Things song by song. This is the Chris Standring and his music as we love him.http://www.smooth-jazz.de/firstview/Standring/SimpleThings.htm

Simple Things

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Chris Standring - Sunlight

Size: 116,5 MB
Time: 50:15
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2018
Styles: Jazz: Smooth Jazz
Art: Front

01. Static In The Attic (4:49)
02. Aphrodisiac (7:41)
03. Love Street (3:42)
04. The Revisit (Feat. Bob James) (6:52)
05. No Explanation (Feat. Mica Paris) (3:55)
06. God Only Knows (Feat. John Novello) (4:11)
07. Like Paradise (3:49)
08. Moon Child (4:26)
09. Do Not Adjust Your Set (5:20)
10. The Principle Of Pleasure (4:33)
11. Static In The Attic (Reprise) (0:53)

Celebrating an extraordinary and prolific 20 years since the release of his debut album Velvet, Chris Standring once again spins his trademark retro-meets-modern vibes in fresh and unexpected directions to create the perfect antidote for these daunting, uncertain times - a powerful, melodic and rhythmically infectious burst of Sunlight. A bright, ambitious soul-jazz experience featuring multiple soloists including legendary pianist Bob James, and British soul singer Mica Paris, Sunlight draws on Standring's trademark, slightly off the beaten path urban jazz artistry infusing elements of classic soul, cool jazz and some fine jazz guitar playing.

Sunlight

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Chris Standring - Live in London

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 2017
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 80:00
Size: 184,5 MB
Art: Front

(4:38)  1. Pandora's Box (Live)
(3:42)  2. Almost September (Live)
(7:38)  3. Magic Carpet Ride (Live)
(5:53)  4. Scatterfunk (Live)
(5:09)  5. Carousel (Live)
(4:52)  6. My One Temptation (Live)
(3:55)  7. Love & Paragraphs (Live)
(7:57)  8. Please Mind the Gap (Live)
(5:40)  9. Bossa Blue (Live)
(5:01) 10. Ready Steady Flow (Live)
(6:00) 11. Liquid Soul (Live)
(4:04) 12. I Put a Spell on You (Live)
(4:35) 13. Fast Train to Everywhere (Live)
(5:09) 14. Oliver's Twist (Live)
(5:39) 15. Like This, Like That (Live) (Bonus Track)

Hot on the heels of his smash hit album 'Ten', Chris Standring presents 'Live In London' featuring special guest star Mica Paris. Recorded live at Cadogan Hall in Chelsea on March 5th 2017, this 14 track album beautifully captures the energy, edge and finesse from that one night in London. ~ Editorial Reviews https://www.amazon.com/Live-London-Chris-Standring/dp/B074H4JCMW

Live in London

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Chris Standring - Velvet

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 1998
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:06
Size: 126,4 MB
Art: Front

(4:34)  1. Silhouette
(4:34)  2. Sneaky
(4:38)  3. Coll Shades
(4:32)  4. West Coast Changes
(5:44)  5. Velvet
(4:38)  6. Steven
(4:26)  7. Shake
(4:53)  8. Solitaire
(5:31)  9. 'Nuff Said
(4:47) 10. Victoria Road
(6:42) 11. The Beautiful Woman of Scant Virture

It wouldn't be a surprise to find the glorious retro-soul CD Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite a fixture in Chris Standring's disc changer. Velvet, the guitarist's first solo effort after the blazing funk effort by Solar System (led by Standring and this album's keyboardist/producer Rodney Lee), is full of glittery synth-created Hammond B-3 and Fender Rhodes flavors, hypnotic synth washes and gentle shuffling grooves, punchy wah-wah harmonies and dreamy, otherworldly effects. If Maxwell could improvise like George Benson, this is what the hybrid might be. Standring waits till the tenth track, "Victoria Road," before giving us a truly infectious electric guitar melody that stands apart from its rhythmic base and doesn't seep into the next song. 

But the disc seems more about Standring's Benson-like precision and technique, and brilliant vibe-intensive production than just tunes. On standout tracks like "Silhouette" and the sax accented "Sneaky," Standring and Lee effortlessly swirl the electric guitar melody with subtle acoustic harmonies, effective wah-wah kicks and some Crusaders flavored key improvisations. ~ Jonathan Widran http://www.allmusic.com/album/velvet-mw0000035454

Personnel: Chris Standring (guitar); Dino Soldo (tenor saxophone, flute, harmonica, keyboards, programming); Kirk Whalum (tenor saxophone); Rick Braun (flugelhorn); Rodney Lee (keyboards, programming); Andre Berry (bass).

Velvet

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Chris Standring - Ten

Size: 112,6 MB
Time: 48:10
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Jazz: Smooth Jazz
Art: Front

01. Ready Steady Flow (4:26)
02. Snake Oil (4:21)
03. Magic Carpet Ride (6:53)
04. Carousel (4:31)
05. Like This, Like That (4:39)
06. Soul Vibration (4:24)
07. Bossa Go Go (3:53)
08. Parisian Blue (3:59)
09. Piece Of Cake (4:01)
10. Never Too Late (5:36)
11. Magic Carpet Ride (Reprise) (1:23)

The trademark groove that guitarist Chris Standring cultivated with recordings such as ‘Soul Express’ and Love & Paragraphs’ served to define him as a serious contributor to the evolution of contemporary jazz. Not only that, his innovative use of a string quartet for the albums ‘Blue Bolero’, ‘Electric Wonderland’ and ‘Don’t Talk, Dance!’ further enabled him to stand out from the crowd. Now, in the familiar company of Andre Berry, Rodney Lee and drummer Dave Karasony, he is back with his tenth studio project, the appropriately titled ‘Ten’.

This collection of ten original compositions opens with ‘Ready Steady Flow’ that (complete with splashes of Standring on vocoder) also happens to be the first track serviced to radio. Held down by Berry on bass, this edgy number is in the good company of ‘Like This Like That’ that is added to in no small measure by fine organ from Rodney Lee.

Elsewhere the easy paced ‘Snake Oil’ is given a nice twist by interjections of sax from Dino Soldo and, although Standring uses ‘Bossa Go Go’ to embark on an intoxicatingly rhythmic roll, it is with ‘Parisian Blue’ that he finds an understated but perfectly executed jazz vibe.

In terms of personal favorites the superbly turned down ‘Soul Vibration’ is a real delight yet right up there with it is ‘Piece Of Cake’ that sort of sneaks up to captivate the listener in the most subtle of ways. As the tempo slows yet further both ‘Carousel’ and ‘Never Too Late’ can aptly be described as beauty personified but it with ‘Magic Carpet Ride’ that Standring really pushes out the boundaries. Deep and moody, sensuous and jazzy, he comes up big on both guitar and keys while later, when Standring reprises the tune on acoustic guitar, he makes it sound brand new.

Make no mistake; this is a really top-notch CD that is sure to evolve into one of the standout releases of 2016.

Highly recommended.

Ten

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Chris Standring - Love and Paragraphs

Styles: Jazz Funk
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 45:18
Size: 104,4 MB
Art: Front

(4:16)  1. Qwertyuiop
(3:51)  2. Love & Paragraphs
(3:58)  3. As Luck Would Have It
(4:03)  4. Have Your Cake And Eat It
(6:07)  5. Liquid Soul
(5:35)  6. Ooh Bop
(4:11)  7. C.S. In The Sunshine
(4:21)  8. That's What I Thought You Said
(4:36)  9. Qu'est-ce Que Tu Fais?
(4:16) 10. Reflection

Once upon a time Wes Montgomery plugged in his guitar and changed the way the world listened to jazz. Since then the guitar pick has been passed on to artists including George Benson, Earl Klugh, John Scofield and Pat Metheny, and each and every one has pushed the genre just a little bit further. With Love and Paragraphs, guitarist Chris Standring makes a fair bid to push it the next step forward. This is as close to being a perfect album as any released in 2008. The production values of a recording usually aren't considered among its key selling points, but they are here; the album sounds terrific. Whether heard in a car, on a computer or a stereo system, the work of Standring and co-producer Rodney Lee (who also plays keyboards in Standring's band) just dazzles. Lee's mix features Standring's guitar but, unlike too many recordings where the featured instrument gets pushed up front to the point where the rhythm section barely buzzes in the background, the bass isn't lost in the mix, the keyboards absolutely sparkle and the drums vary from up front and kicking to deftly keeping time. Standring isn't so much the star of the show as the leader of the band, encouraging terrific performances from all the contributors, especially bassists Rico Belled and Andre Berry, drummers Eric Valentine and Dave Karasony, and Lee's tastefully restrained keyboard embellishments. Guest performances from keyboardist Jeff Lorber and saxophonist Everette Harp are perfectly at home in the cool groove established. 

There are ten tracks on Love and Paragraphs and all ten of them are winners. From the stomping opener, "Qwertyuiop," to the meditative closer, "Reflection," there isn't a single throwaway moment on the album. Some artists go into the studio with 45 minutes worth of record to fill and only 30 minutes worth of good music. Standring doesn't bring anything less than his best to the entire session. The title track is based on Standring's e-mail encounters with fans frustrated by his brief one-liner replies, leading one woman to chastise the guitarist upon meeting him, declaring, "You owe me paragraphs!" That somewhat cheeky fan should be very pleased to know she inspired Standring to deliver his most fully accomplished album yet and simply one of the most listenable and outstanding albums of the first half of 2008. ~ Jeff Winbush  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/love-and-paragraphs-chris-standring-ultimate-vibe-review-by-jeff-winbush.php
 

Personnel: Chris Standring: guitars, keyboards, programming, talk box, vocals; Rodney Lee: keyboards, organ, programming; Andre Berry: bass; Rico Belled: bass; Larry Steen: bass (8); Eric Valentine: drums; Dave Karasony: drums; Everette Harp: tenor sax (1); Jeff Lorber: Fender Rhodes solo (9): Jeff Robinson: vocal; Mary Cassidy: vocal (2).

Love and Paragraphs

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Chris Standring - Soul Express

Styles: Jazz Funk, Smooth Jazz
Year: 2006
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:22
Size: 133,1 MB
Art: Front + Back

(4:08)  1. Catwalk
(4:42)  2. Kaleidoscope
(6:16)  3. Constellation
(5:14)  4. A Method To The Madness
(4:21)  5. I Can't Help Myself
(4:38)  6. Soul Express
(4:21)  7. Through The Looking Glass
(4:17)  8. Mumbo Jumbo
(4:25)  9. As
(4:43) 10. Shooting Stars
(5:11) 11. Giant Steps

Los Angeles-based British expatriate guitarist Chris Standring's eclectic collection of smooth jazz instrumentals contains elements of acid jazz on songs like "A Method to the Madness" and "Shooting Stars," silky R&B on "I Can't Help Myself," and electronica on the dreamy "Kaleidoscope." Standring's fluid, accessible style recalls George Benson at his jazz crossover best, while compositions like "Giant Steps" and "Constellation" are high-quality chill-out mood music. 

http://www.allmusic.com/album/soul-express-mw0000419432

Soul Express

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Chris Standring - Main Course / Don't Talk, Dance!

Album: Main Course (The Early Tapes)
Size: 113,1 MB
Time: 48:51
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2011
Styles: Jazz Funk, Smooth Jazz
Art: Front

01. Tabbouleh (6:49)
02. Look No Strings (5:11)
03. Baklava And Cream (4:47)
04. Touchdown (5:14)
05. Pastourelle (3:45)
06. City Shuffle (5:40)
07. Prelude (1:09)
08. Who Knows (5:01)
09. What Was That (5:49)
10. Sticky Fingers (5:22)

The success of Chris Standring’s groundbreaking 2010 CD Blue Bolero, which topped several year-end lists and produced a No. 1 single, made it a tough act for the guitarist to follow. But Standring has managed quite nicely with Electric Wonderland (March 20, 2012, Ultimate Vibe Recordings), a 10-song CD of original songs that fuses elements of Blue Bolero’s orchestral touches with a deft jazz-pop touch that’s been a hall mark of Standring’s stellar career.

Chris Standring grew up in the small town of Aylesbury in England, later studying at London College of Music and writing music for the BBC and for several theatrical orchestrations before moving to Los Angeles in February of 1991. That’s where Standring first hooked up with Rodney Lee, as they both were playing with Lauren Christy, a U.K. singer who had also moved to Southern California. In 1996, Standring and Lee released an acid-jazz CD by their group Solar System. The CD, featuring vocal covers of “Walk on the Wild Side” and “Me & Mrs. Jones,” introduced Standring’s vibey instrumental tunes to the world.

Main Course

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Album: Don't Talk, Dance!
Size: 137,3 MB
Time: 58:50
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz Funk, Smooth Jazz
Art: Front

01. Sky High (5:16)
02. Inside Outside (3:54)
03. Sneakin' Out The Front Door (3:54)
04. Voices In My Head (4:16)
05. Soul Symphony (4:20)
06. Another Fine Mess (4:49)
07. Crazy Bom Baizy (5:33)
08. Ride (Feat. Lauren Christy) (4:14)
09. Absolute Madness (4:18)
10. Yesterday's Heaven (4:33)
11. Imagine That (3:56)
12. Scatterfunk (5:05)
13. Nothing Lasts Forever (4:35)

Chris Standring returns in 2014 with another musical left turn with Don't Talk, Dance!, a deep European progressive soul-jazz-dance influenced project featuring the best funk and soul studio musicians in Los Angeles. This 13-track set features Chris as arranger, orchestrator and producer, along with his signature solo jazz and fusion guitar sounds.

Drawing on 70's style funk and soul inspiration, Chris raises the bar once again with an album that is impossible to sit still to. The first radio single "Sneakin' Out The Front Door," features Chris on guitar talkbox, and harks back to a time reminiscent of early Jeff Beck or Herbie Hancock, with a hook that is clearly all Chris Standring.

Don't Talk, Dance!

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