Monsteria by Chris Bieniek

I was going for a real 50/50 split of Jazz & Rock 'Jazz Rock' if you will. This is also both a standards and concept album. If you listen carefully all the compositions and my guitar solos are derived from the original standards melody structure. I used a simple formula to build the songs and practice my solo structures. Here it is:
* I take a standard.
* Reduce and simplify the melody to simple rhythms or 'holds'
(eg: semibreves, minims, crotchets)
* In most cases I changed the time signature.
* I re-harmonise/ change the chords
* I write a new melody based on the reduced melody that also fits with the new chords.
* Finished result, I have a new song that bares familiarity to the original standard whilst having a more obvious point of difference. I didn't want the songs sounding like the typical 'new melody over the changes of a standard type thing' which is great. The tune Autumn Leaves in the Blue grass went the opposite way with its chord structure went the opposite and got a chord reduction by about 50%. I am a huge fan of Bluegrass music and the incredible players like Brad Davis, Tony Rice, Carl Miner, Molly Tuttle and their ability to navigate complex fiddle like lines and patterns through changes. This song is inspired by them.

I hope you enjoy this album. Cheers Chris