When, in 2023, contemporary jazz guitarist Chris Standring released ‘The Lovers Remix Collection’ I described it as being notable for many things. Not only was it the ultimate make out music for a romantic occasion but also a fabulous gift from Standring to his myriad of fans. Indeed, for those discovering Standring’s music for the very first time it was a wonderful place from which to start so it is very likely that those same fans, new and old, will be equally captivated by Standing’s latest project, ‘As We Think’ that is due out in April of this year.
Much like everything Standring does ‘As We Think’ is crammed full of the innovation that in 2010 (and his genre busting ‘Blue Bolero’) found him employing striking string arrangements blended sublimely with enticing guitar. His penchant for strings continued in both ‘Electric Wonderland’ and ‘Don’t Talk, Dance!’ before culminating with a 19-piece orchestra for the excellent ‘Wonderful World’.
With ‘As We Think’ Standring takes a slightly different approach as he shifts away from strings towards a standout horn section comprising Aaron Janik on trumpet, Brandon Fields on alto sax, Katisse Buckingham on tenor sax and Ido Meshulam on trombone. The brassy veneer that this collective bestows is instantly noticeable with the reggae infused ‘This Life’ and again with the delightfully jazzy ‘Michael’s Watch’ that is right up there with the best that ‘As We Think’ has to offer.
Elsewhere, the first single to be serviced to radio is ‘Alphabet Soup’ that features a tenor sax solo from Dino Soldo and Soldo also offers up a spellbinding harmonica solo to the hugely atmospheric ‘Too Good To Be True’. Another long-term associate, keyboard player Rodney Lee, adds a fine Rhodes solo to the foot tapping ‘Goodness Gracious’ and Standring stays upbeat with the decidedly handsome ‘Top Hat & Tails’.
Later, when Standring eases down the tempo, the result is the warmly inviting ‘Come Closer’ that without taking away from his consummate playing is added to by more understated horns. He keeps it mellow with ‘Bedtime Story’ but of course Standring is and always has been all about the rhythm.
Here he is supported in this endeavor by legendary percussionist Lenny Castro, Chris Coleman on drums and Larry Steen on upright bass. Long time time collaborator Andre Berry completes the line-up on electric bass while Standring enlists fellow ‘Brit’ (and founding member of the band Acoustic Alchemy) Terry Disley for a top-notch contribution on acoustic piano. This rhythm comes entirely to the fore with both ‘Monday Madness’ and ‘Chocolate Shake’. They are classic Standring and then some but perhaps the defining track of the entire album is the intoxicating ‘Swings & Roundabouts’ that has an aura which is hard to ignore.
Mastered by none other than Euge Groove, this eleven-track extravaganza is totally written and produced by Standring. Even at this early stage it promises to be one of the best contemporary jazz albums of 2024.