Chris Standring really is on a roll. His 2006 CD release ‘Soul Express’ put him right onto the contemporary jazz map and he has remained there ever since. Hugely successful live shows plus the accolade of co-writing the Richard Elliot and Rick Braun smash ‘RnR’ have all added to his stature and now Standring is back with his brand new album ‘Love and Paragraphs’. Each of the ten self penned tracks is dazzling confirmation of the ‘A list’ standing within the genre that he now enjoys and, truth to tell, there is not one weak link among them.
In fact Standring was born in the UK and actually grew up playing classical guitar on a farm in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. He studied at the London College of Music before moving to Los Angeles in February 1991 and has been there ever since. ‘Love and Paragraphs’ is replete with the intoxicating west coast vibe that Standring effortlessly incorporates into much of his work and it opens with the feisty ‘Quertyuiop’. Although the title may (in the PC sense) be keyboard confusing this spirited track is held down in fine style by Andre Berry on bass and jazzed up by Everette Harp on sax. It opens the door to the title cut which is already tearing up the chart of most played on smooth jazz radio. With a compelling hook, and a subliminal vocal from Mary Cassidy buried within, it is certain to get in your head and not go away. Standring’s soulful guitar shimmers throughout and does so again with ‘Liquid Soul’. A tender tune, that glides like magic atop its own hypnotic beat, it is the stuff of which musical dreams are made and Standring produces more of the same cool vibe for the chilled out ‘Qu’est-ce Que Tu Fais’. Blessed by a tremendous Fender Rhodes solo by Jeff Lorber, it is further enhanced by great keys from co-producer Rodney Lee and is in every respect a truly wonderful piece of work.
Lee is back to lend a hand with ‘As Luck Would Have It’. Achieving the intoxicating balance of being both bass driven yet mellow, this ‘in the pocket’ smoker is an exceptional slice of contemporary jazz and Lee stays involved for the equally good ‘Have Your Cake And Eat It’. The track is characterized by another of those infectious hooks which here Standring embellishes with an understated vocal from Jeff Robinson. It’s one of those tunes that fits with the image of laid back Californian smooth jazz and another such example of the art comes courtesy of ‘C.S. In The Sunshine’. Mid tempo and delicious it has more great bass from Andre Berry and a happy groove just perfect for a warm sunny day.
Talking of happy, ‘Ooh Bop’ is as much fun as its title suggests it should be. This funky little masterpiece is just made for ‘driving with the top down’ and when Standring slackens the pace for ‘That’s What I Thought You Said’ he delivers another absolute stunner. A sophisticated tour de force that is classy and reflective with a hint of a Latin twist, it is superbly complemented by the equally good ‘Reflection’. With Larry Steen huge on bass this turned down gem is, much like the entire album, a joy from beginning to end.
Standring utilizes ‘Love and Paragraphs’ to repeatedly produce edgy music that is flecked with his own unmistakable touches and has all the attributes of quality contemporary jazz. The album, which hits record stores across the USA on April 22, is all set to be one of the sensations of the year and comes hugely recommended. For more go to www.chrisstandring.com
