How Deep Is Your Love - Chris Standring, Gibb, Barry
Big Feet...Big Shoes - Chris Standring, Standring, Chris
What Is Is - Chris Standring, Lee, Rodney
Pins & Neddles - Chris Standring, Lee, Rodney [1]
Good Medicine - Chris Standring, Lee, Rodney [1]
I'm Not in Love - Chris Standring, Gouldman, Graham
Big Pant People - Chris Standring, Lee, Rodney [1]
Smile - Chris Standring, Chaplin, Charlie [S
Ultraviolet - Chris Standring, Lee, Rodney [1]
Small Talk - Chris Standring, Standring, Chris
Georgina - Chris Standring, Standring, Chris
Continuing in the vein of his 1998 CD, Velvet, is the thickly blues-based and more self-assured Hip Sway. Beautifully invoking a sense of old-school jazz sensibilities, Hip Sway mixes acid-jazz ambience and the powerful so... more »ul touches of coproducer Rodney Lee. The title track finds Standring echoing his muted Wes Montgomery-bound melody with wah-wah punch lines, then duetting casually with the eager tenor of Richard Elliot before exploding into an irresistible brassy hook--all over Lee's moody blue synth harmony. "Glamour Girls" features a propelling vamp reminiscent of Lee Morgan's "Sidewinder" under Standring's note-for-note duet with tenorman Dino Soldo, while Lee does double duty on a Hammond B-3 solo over the synth-created vamp.Fast forwarding to the present, Standring invokes a bit of ambient master Brian Eno on "What Is Is," as he and Lee exchange distant, distorted melody lines over a spaced-out synth wash as Dave Karasony's train-track drum patter continues to hypnotize. Ditto the gentle hypnosis on a cover of 10cc's mystical "I'm Not in Love"; Standring doesn't do much improvising with the melody, but his alternating guitar tones and the enveloping atmosphere--complete with barely audible synth horns--are just like, well, Velvet. --Jonathan Widran« less
Continuing in the vein of his 1998 CD, Velvet, is the thickly blues-based and more self-assured Hip Sway. Beautifully invoking a sense of old-school jazz sensibilities, Hip Sway mixes acid-jazz ambience and the powerful soul touches of coproducer Rodney Lee. The title track finds Standring echoing his muted Wes Montgomery-bound melody with wah-wah punch lines, then duetting casually with the eager tenor of Richard Elliot before exploding into an irresistible brassy hook--all over Lee's moody blue synth harmony. "Glamour Girls" features a propelling vamp reminiscent of Lee Morgan's "Sidewinder" under Standring's note-for-note duet with tenorman Dino Soldo, while Lee does double duty on a Hammond B-3 solo over the synth-created vamp.Fast forwarding to the present, Standring invokes a bit of ambient master Brian Eno on "What Is Is," as he and Lee exchange distant, distorted melody lines over a spaced-out synth wash as Dave Karasony's train-track drum patter continues to hypnotize. Ditto the gentle hypnosis on a cover of 10cc's mystical "I'm Not in Love"; Standring doesn't do much improvising with the melody, but his alternating guitar tones and the enveloping atmosphere--complete with barely audible synth horns--are just like, well, Velvet. --Jonathan Widran
"English guitarist Chris Standring's project, "SolarSystem" released prior to "Velvet" is funky for those who like funky acid jazz. Then "Velvet" was released in 1998 and shed a whole new light on smooth jazz style...breaking the mold. Now, after two years, "Hip Sway." This is a SPECTACULAR project. Chris and his band expertly blend the sounds of smooth jazz synthesized keyboards accompanying incredible harmonica and saxophone, a never-ordinary beat, and of course the Chris Standring signature sound coming from Chris' infamous Cremona Sunburst Robert Benedetto custom archtop guitar (with a little echo-plexing at times)...ahhhhh... it's an unforgetable musical experience! And...a bonus...Richard Elliot guests on the title cut! Smooth Jazz LOOK OUT! Standring's got a new one and he's hot!"
Hip Sway - Way Cool - Cool Jazz
Martin J. Callahan | Newington, NH United States | 11/20/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you like smooth jazz half as much as I do, this album definitely belongs in your collection. If your plans this evening include kicking back in your favorite reading chair with your feet up and the lights down low, grab a good book and crack open that bottle of Cab Sav Shiraz! Chillin' and Hip Sway: what a great combo."
ContemporaryJazz.com
By Brian Soergel | San Diego | 05/20/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Hip is defined as something familiar with the latest ideas, styles, etc. Sway is defined as to move or swing to and fro. Combine both terms meanings as "to excite or swing emotions and favorable dulcet sounds." Standring has produced a winner for his sophomore effort. The title track is the epitome of blending acid jazz flavors with soulful motions. The catchy tunes on Hip Sway solidify Standring as a pioneering guitarist of this new decade. "Big Feet Big Shoes" is a cool, hip song which you can envision a carefree individual stepping through downtown amongst a large crowd without any apprehension of time or people engulfed all around, but this person knows the meaning of "cool" by their demeanor and walk. Hip Sway establishes many swinging moods and feelings, which are delectable and vast. Grade: A"
Gavin--by Tina Salazar
By Brian Soergel | San Diego | 05/20/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Guitarist Chris Standring makes quite an impression with the release of his second full length. The first single and title track "Hip Sway" has deservedly received early recognition for it's unique mix of contemporary jazz style with a 60's retro-soul feel. Influenced by the likes of Cannonball Adderly, Wes Montgomery, Jimmy Smith and early Hancock, Standring integrates himself among the musically elite and develops a style all his own. The mid-tempo track weaves a melodic flow of guitar hooks with the smooth sounds of guest Richard Elliot's tenor sax, giving listeners lots to appreciate from the first listen."
All Music Guide/Jazziz--by Jonathan Widran
By Brian Soergel | San Diego | 05/20/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"British electric guitarist Chris Standring launched his Stateside career playing edgy fusion in Los Angeles clubs, but he came upon a better path for himself when he met keyboardist Rodney Lee while touring with pop singer Lauren Christy. Blending Standring's bebop nurturing and Charlie Parker/Wes Montgomery influences with Lee's heavy R&B leanings, the two released the dual acid jazz dual Solar System in 1996. Finally confident of where he was headed, Standring found his footing on Velvet and comes into his own by on the far funkier, thickly blues-based and more self-assured Hip Sway (Instinct Records).Even without the ultra-cool poses and sharp, bleeding image cover photography of Kimo Easterwood, Hip Sway beautifully invokes a sense of old-school jazz sensibilities mixed with the acid-jazz ambience and powerful soul of co-producer Lee. The title track finds Standring echoing his muted Wes-bound melody with wah-wah punch lines, then duetting casually with the eager tenor of Richard Elliot before exploding into an irresistible brassy hook - all over Lee's moody blue synth harmony. "Glamour Girls" features a propelling "Sidewinder"-like vamp under Standring's note-for-note duet with tenorman Dino Soldo, which builds after each verse to a rousing, brassy crescendo; Lee does double duty on this tune, playing a Hammond B-3 solo over the vamp.Fast forwarding to the present, Standring invokes a bit of ambient master Brian Eno on "What Is Is," as he and Lee exchange distant, distorted melody lines over a spaced-out synth wash as Dave Karasony's train-track drum patter continues to hypnotize. Ditto the gentle hypnosis on a cover of 10cc's mystical "I'm Not In Love"; Standring doesn't do much improvising with the melody, but his alternating guitar tones and the enveloping atmosphere - complete with barely audible synth horns - are just like, well, Velvet."