I have been following British urban jazz guitarist Chris Standring for years at www.smoothjazz.eu. He started studying classical guitar at the age of six, but he listened a lot to West Coast jazz, and became a serious jazz musician when he went to the London College of Music. In 1991 he moved to the USA and played in the clubs in LA. For example, his guitar can be heard on recordings by Bebe & Cece Winans, Jody Watley and Rick Braun. Chris has also performed with Marc Antoine, Bob James, Richard Elliott, Peter White, Kirk Whalum, and Al Stewart. He released his debut album in 1998, but the big change didn't come until March 2021 when he experienced chest pains. But luck was on his side, as he survived this heart attack. That experience led to the realization that life is fragile here. Chris says: "We have all heard cliches like 'who knows what tomorrow may bring' and 'don't forget to stop and smell the roses,' but we usually don't take those old aphorisms to heart. To suddenly come face to face with my own mortality made me think about what is really important to me and how I want to live out my third act. Ultimately the answer came down to a just few basic things - spending time with loved ones, being present in the moment, and doing things with joy. Indeed, the theme of this album is joy, positivity, hope, and, because I'm a sucker for a beautiful melody, a little sadness as well." Anyway, this is his fourteenth album already, on which he was supported by Andre Berry on bass, Chris Coleman on drums, Rodney Lee on keyboards, Gary Meek on sax and Kevin Axt on bass. However, Chris wrote, arranged and produced everything himself. He opens with the funky "Shadow of Doubt," which floats on a nice rhythm. And it gets even funkier, because 'Thank You Bootsy' is of course a tribute to Bootsy Collins, with its funky bass. This is followed by the melodic 'Change the World' which he released as a single, and which topped Billboard. The introverted 'A Thousand Words' is dedicated to a friend, who recently committed suicide. With 'Face to Face' we end up back in funk, with a nod to Prince and Bootsy. 'Ain't Nothin' but a Thing' swings the pan, while the beautiful 'The Gist of You' leads us to a romantic place. A French-language apology opens the catchy 'No Two Ways About it,' then 'the quiet Too Close for Comfort' alludes to his health problems. 'Don't Get Me Started' features a sax solo by Gary Meek, and the "mellow" 'And the Show Goes on' closes this fine album. We are fortunate that Chris survived his heart attack, and gives us this wonderful album. Once again, a feast for fans of urban & funky jazz guitar! I'm going to give it another listen!
		Website Chris Standring Tracks: 1. Shadow of Doubt 2. Thank You Bootsy 3. Change the World 4. A Thousand Words 5. Face to Face 6. Ain’t Nothin’ but a Thing 7. The Gist of You 8. No Two Ways About it 9. Too Close for Comfort 10. Don’t Get Me Started 11. And the Show Goes on
	Copied from Cultuurmania with permission of the author.