I've been following contemporary jazz guitarist Chris Standring for many years, and have reviewed quite a bit of his work for www.smoothjazz.eu. Chris has already topped the Billboard charts 11 times, but for his 25th anniversary as a solo artist he wanted to do something special. While his contemporary jazz-based catalog consists of a variety of tones, tempos and textures - from instrumental pop and improvisational jazz to soul-driven funk and romantic ballads - the requests he receives most from fans show their ardent affection for his chill grooves. That fact immediately sowed the concept for this album. That album, which arrived on the set of Ultimate Vibe Recordings on June 9, features Chris reprising 10 tracks from his original songbook, along with one new track, a bluesy, country meets electronic jazz version of Peter Green's ‘Albatross’, a personal favorite from when he was grew up in England. Standring plays electric or nylon string guitar on the collection, demonstrating exuberant dexterity, passionate precision and virtuoso technique. That as he reprises some of his most popular selections, puts an entirely different spin on lesser-known songs and puts new varnish on the mix on a few selections that, with time and distance from when they were originally recorded, have become "a deserved a different view". Known for infusing a 1970s retro nuance into his recordings, ‘The Lovers Remix Collection’ sounds futuristic and state-of-the-art, has an enchanting vibe and a laid-back jazz vibe. And yes, the project certainly has a deep-seated 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,” said Chris, who now lives in LA and remixed the project himself. The single 'Liquid Soul' was already launched to radio at that time, a pensive inner exploration that originally appeared on Standring's 2008 album 'Love & Paragraphs'. “This is probably my most popular song from my entire career and was never a single. I played all the instruments on the original version. This song has a very hypnotic, dreamy quality that people have responded to. I do like to take people on a journey through music and this song is a good example of that,” he added. He opens with 'Sensual Overload', a beautiful and well-known song, after which the hypnotic single follows. 'Kaleidoscope' is also a highly requested track, which he composed in 2006 for the 'Soul Express' album. “I wanted to take people on a journey with this remix along the lines of Quincy Jones' ‘Secret Garden’. This song is so simple but has a melody that sticks with you,” said Chris. ‘Albatross’ takes you back to the sixties, and I've always loved that song. Chris makes them sound even more relaxed. He calls the new version of 'Moon Child' a "redo". “I got the most email about this song from people who heard it on the ‘Sunlight’ album. I always felt it didn't quite get the production love it deserved on the original, so I decided to remix it. It became the first song to inspire the whole 'Lovers Remix' album concept,” he explains. 'Contemplation' is from 2010 from the 'Bolero' album, and I think it's beautiful. Chris says why he chose this: “I am a huge lover of space in music, and I think this song is a great example of that in my songwriting style. I'm also fond of harmonic surprises in a song that might seem different from other composers in this genre. This is one of those dreamy sequences that can take the listener through a range of emotions - from sadness and hope to evoking mystery and finally, beauty and resolution.” 'Yesterday's Heaven' is the next relaxed track, followed by the slow moving 'Another Train'. This might just be Chris's favorite track. “It has a very melancholic sound that is snuggly, cozy and warm. It's a very romantic song with a lot of space between each musical phrase letting the music breathe nicely. I think the melody evokes such loneliness, which is strange as I'm not a lonely person. However, and perhaps this new collection confirms it, but I may be an old romantic,” he admits. And 'Heart Of The Matter' follows. On 'Gentle Persuasion' you are gently convinced of that chill sound, while the closing track 'Reflection' contains a reflection. A mighty beautiful and relaxing album. Ideal for a romantic dinner, to gently rock along afterwards. Top job Chris! “Keep up this good work!”
		Website Chris Standring Tracks: 1) "Sensual Overload" (4:05) 2) "Liquid Soul" (6:12) 3) "Kaleidoscope" (4:33) 4) "Albatross" (4:19) 5) "Moon Child" (4:29) 6) "Contemplation" (4:40) 7) "Yesterday's Heaven" (4:15) 8) "Another Train" (4:44) 9) "Heart Of The Matter" (5:21) 10) "Gentle Persuasion" (5:49) 11) "Reflection" (3:23)
	Copied from Cultuurmania with permission of the author.