“Time of Change,” dropping March 20, will be previewed by the jazz-funk single “Hollywood Hustle” on February 2.
Getting married for the first time and the passing of his father have signaled a time of change for Billboard chart-topping contemporary jazz guitarist Chris Standring. With nostalgia on his mind and life changes shaping the third act of his life, Standring wrote and produced eleven new songs for “Time of Change,” which arrives on March 20 from Ultimate Vibe Recordings.
The album of ‘70s-inspired cool jazz and retro rhythm-and-blues grooves will be advanced by the first single, “Hollywood Hustle,” an up-tempo horn-tinged strut that begins collecting playlist adds and airplay on February 2.
“As I get a little older, it's easy to reflect and reminisce about the past, the innocence of youth, the naïveté of decisions, good or bad, and perhaps idolize some of the glory days. This album is all about that with a sentiment that is wildly reflected in the music. Much of the writing harks back to a familiar time, a nostalgic time. And things in life are different now. I lost my father and after living in Los Angeles for 35 years, it is time to settle in a quieter, more remote part of the world with my lovely wife, Erica. I’m ready to embrace my third act with all the enthusiasm, joy, and wonder I have lived with until now. It's an exciting time of change,” said Standring, who grew up in England.
The core foursome featured on “Time of Change,” Standring’s eighteenth album, is Standring (guitars, keyboards, programming, horn and string arrangements), bassist Andre Berry, drummer Chad Wright, and percussionist Lenny Castro. Four tracks on the album are bolstered by a horn section comprised of Brandon Fields (tenor sax), Tom Saviano (alto sax), Michael Stever (trumpet), and Erik Hughes (trombone). Other musicians contributing to the album are GRAMMY-winning bassist Brian Bromberg, George Whitty (piano), Dave Karasony (drums), and Rodney Lee, the keyboardist who partnered with Standring in the innovative band Solar System thirty years ago at the start of his recording career.
“Time of Change” opens with “Photographs,” a snapshot that sets the stage for the collection. Throughout the album, Standring’s electric jazz guitar work blends agility, alacrity, and atmospheric expressiveness. On this cut, he invites Whitty to deliver an impassioned and poetic piano solo.
“When I hear this song, I can imagine sitting next to a bay window looking out into the pouring rain contemplating life. It probably wasn't raining when I wrote it, but the nostalgic and reminiscent feeling was definitely with me,” said Standring, who released a retrospective book of photographs titled “A Jazz Life in Pictures,” on Monday (December 15) that captures his life from early childhood to present day.
Berry and Wright carve a taut rhythmic pocket on the bouncy “Magnetic,” a tune built from two simple chords that reminded Standring of early Yellowjackets. Standring said the downtempo “Slippin’ In These Streets” “might have been good on the soundtrack to a ‘70s cop show.” The retro vibes return with another feel-good tune, “All The Good Times,” which is expected to be the second single from the new set. The tempo drops back down on “Where Were You When,” which introduces strings.
“It’s one of my favorites on this album, especially the second verse with the entrance of those beautiful violas and cellos. That is where I live (musically) these days. It's snuggly and warm and full of space,” said Standring.
After “Hollywood Hustle” and its funky ‘70s vibe comes “A Good Game.” Standring said his production and arrangement on “Time of Change” was influenced by an iconic GRAMMY-winning legend.
“Quincy Jones is a producer I always looked up to for inspiration. This track has a very sensual vibe that is also nostalgic and thought-provoking. It took a lot of discipline from me to not have a regular snare beat but use finger snaps instead. This produces an intimacy in the song. The voices also give it that warm and cozy feel in the choruses,” said Standring.
On the vibrant “One Of These Days,” Standring channeled Tom Scott’s horn and string arrangements on Steely Dan records. Standring returns to the bay window to get pensive again on “Remember The Day,” which also contemplates what’s to come, a sentiment underscored by Fields’ poignant saxophone solo.
Originally planned as the album closer, “All That To Say” offers a feeling of closure with a reassuring hint of hope.
“There is a sadness to this song, too. It’s very contemplative. It's probably still raining outside,” Standring surmised.
“Time of Change” closes with an emotional tribute to Standring’s father on “A Song For Alistair.”
“When Brian Bromberg came into my studio to record his upright bass on this track, he told me he thought this was the most beautiful song I'd ever written. He might be right. I must have been in a reflective mood when I penned this song. It's very sad and if you listen to it knowing where the sentiment comes from, try to hold back the tears. I loved this melody so much I didn't want to improvise a guitar solo on it. I just wanted to state the melody and end the song. That statement was enough in my mind. As if I wanted to simply respect the song. Just like my father, Alistair,” said an introspective Standring.
Standring debuted as a solo artist in 1998 with the album “Velvet,” which spawned his breakthrough hit, “Cool Shades.” He went on to notch more than fifteen Billboard top ten singles, including eight No. 1 hits. Last year’s “As We Think” album scored a Billboard No. 1 hit with “Top Hat & Tails.”
A popular concert performer at theaters, clubs, and festivals at home and abroad, Standring has a handful of concert dates already booked to support “Time of Change,” including an album release preview show on February 7 at Spaghettini south of Los Angeles.
“Time of Change” contains the following songs:
“Photographs”
“Magnetic”
“Slippin’ In These Streets”
“All The Good Times”
“Where Were You When”
“Hollywood Hustle”
“A Good Game”
“One Of These Days”
“Remember The Day”
“All That To Say”
“A Song For Alistair”
To pre-order “Time of Change,” go to Chris Standring, Chris Standring, Chris Standring - Time of Change - Amazon.com Music.
For more information, visit www.chrisstandring.com.
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