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Review - Chris Standring - Blue Bolero
Feb 10, 2010 - In the years of my programming radio, I have always enjoyed listening to a format favorite try to do something new while also trying not to alienate their fan base. It is not so easy to do, many artists have tried and failed while quite a few do have success in creating that niche in sound they are looking for.  

England born, Los Angeles based guitarist Chris Standring has over the course of his 5 studio releases set some pretty high and impressive standards in musicianship and compositions. He has a stylish, jazz influenced Pop perfection that appeals to music programmers, musicians and fans world wide. On March 2, 2010 Ultimate Vibe records will release his newest musical adventure “Blue Bolero” and with it Chris is fulfilling one of his ambitions by tying together his familiar sound with orchestral elements creating something new yet familiar. Listeners who are hoping to find more of his wonderful Euro Jazz Pop guitar riffs will find it here, as well as those looking for tracks that will require deeper listening and leave deeper impressions. The moods are wonderful and visions of the English countryside’s early morning fog, London nightlife and Los Angeles sunsets creep from the speaker’s right to our favorite listening ports.

The disc opens with ‘Overture’ an 8 minute journey that starts slowly and builds to some infectious Jazz riffs from Larry Steen’s acoustic bass and Chris’ guitar, along with orchestration and a nice Fender Rhodes piano solo from Rodney Lee. The hook comes at you out of nowhere and grabs your sense of rhythm to accompany the groove. The title track ‘Blue Bolero’ is almost cinema graphic in it’s larger than life slow sensual trance-like addictive groove. Chris’ guitar playing has a jazzy classical feel to it and the orchestration is especially strong here weaving its way around Chris’ fret workings. ‘Please Mind The Gap’ is one happening track! From opening notes throughout it have a distinct Euro Jazz groove and some excellent Alto flute work from Karisse Buckingham. The track simply smokes and would be a standout on any of Chris’ catalog of works and should be snapped up by Jazz radio programmers everywhere. One of my favourites on the disc is ‘Contemplation’ a simple track with orchestration, acoustic bass and Chris using guitar and keyboards creating a thought provoking mellow vibe where visions of lifelong memories can be found…a beautiful well titled piece of music. ‘Sensual Overload’ is another of my favourites on the disc with Chris’ guitar weaving another catchy Jazz melody with wonderful pop sensibility. It is a track that would work in the hippest urban late night club or in your own private world while reaching everyone’s own sense of individual groove. ‘Fast Train to Everywhere’ is one of the highlights on the disc with a melody that was made for traveling. The orchestration weaves its way through this piece of music like a train might do so through the countryside, in fact the percussion is almost train like in its timing. Chris’ guitar flows on another track that would be a highlight on any of his previous works too. ‘Sunrise’ is my other favorite on the disc and is a well crafted yet simple track. The tight interplay between Chris’ guitar and Rico Belled’s bass would make any Jazz combo take notice. The orchestration here fills and flows while not being too much as to take away from the simplicity of the art of great guitar and bass making magic. It is one of another many highlight tracks on this disc that took Chris a year and a half to compose and refine to his vision of this musical journey.

“Blue Bolero” is a creative step for musician Chris Standring as he continues to grow as a composer and musician. It is one which should garner new fans while appealing to both musicians and his steadfast world wide fan base, and one we can enjoy the journey to. – by Paul Erickson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
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SMOOTH JAZZNOW CHART FOR MARCH 20. 2010

TW LW ARTIST SONG
1 3 Michael J Thomas City Beat
2 1 Michael Buble Hold on (# 1 for 2 weeks)
3 4 Andy Scott Far
4 9 Peter White Good Day
5 2 Corinne Bailey Ray Closer
6 6 Drew Davidsen Astro
7 5 Ken Navarro The Stars, The Snow, The Fire
(#1 for 4 weeks)
8 7 Brian Culbertson Go
9 8 Maysa Am I Wrong
10 10 Jaared Always Together
Click here for the complete Chart

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The Smooth Jazz Now TOP 100 Songs of 2009
1
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2
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3
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