Artist description Solarystem is the brainchild of producers Chris Standring, and Rodney Lee, two Los Angeles hipsters who create accessible music with a deepness. The musicis a mix of heavy urban grooves along with the jazziness of Chris Standring (presently signed to InstinctRecords) and retro-soul created by the producers.

Music Style Urban R&B, with a jazzy hint

Musical Influences Parliament, Sly & the Family Stone, Prince, Art Blakey, Steely Dan

Similar Artists Run DMC, LLcool J, Prince, Parliament, Digable Planets, Average White Band, KRS 1

Artist History Chris Standring and Rodney Lee have been producerpartners since 1996. Solarsystem was their firstventure together. Chris Standring signed an exclusivedeal with Instinct records in 1998 and scored a top 10hit with "Velvet". Later, in early 2000, they bothproduced Chris' 2nd solo effort "Hip Sway" whichfast became a national hit, reaching #2 on the nationalR&R NAC radio chart. A new album is in the works.

Group Members Chris Standring: GuitarRodney Lee: Keyboards & programmingMichael Mishaw: VocalsC.R.A.S.H. rapDino Soldo: Saxes

Instruments Guitar, Fender rhodes, sax, acoustic bass, boingy drums

Albums solarsystem

Press Reviews jazzizBy Jonathan Widran Some of today's trendiest, hippest rhythm and jazz grooves spur from the inventive fusion of modern technology and beats with retro sonics and arrangements, and these ideas propel outfits like the soulful, neat and natty solarsystem into the realm of the ultra hip. essentially the guitar/keyboard tandem of Chris Standring & Rodney Lee, these bright hipsters draw upon a stirring variety of influences (from Wes Montgomery to the crusaders and Steely Dan) to create a seductive section long on vibe and endlessly colorful and fascinating in texture. Sax funk courtesy of Dino Soldo and just right doses of socially conscious rap play a crucial role in offering melodic excitement to the atmosphere heavy vibin', while Lee seems to enjoy a Joe Sample like Fender Rhodes approach to complement Standring's marvelously subdued but still electric breezes. Slow, cool jams like the nearly eight minute "Give It To Me" show that solarsystem doesn't shy away from raw experimentation within a slick framework, while sumptuous can-we-top-the-original covers of early seventies gems "Me & Mrs Jones" and "Walk On The Wild Side" perfectly capture the era solarsystem draws its heart and soul from. It's the perfect mix of something old, something new, something borrowed, but never blue for long. SOS jazz review Jazz fueled hip-hop California style. Turning jazz-lovers heads while the groove nation butt shakes. Jazz fueled hip-hop, complete with horns and organ loops. The only difference between jazz and street lies in the repetetive beats, although it sounds like a new set with advanced low end. The vocal tracks are reminiscent of early De La Soul. The songs are complete with instrument solos lasting 4 to 5 minutes and up to 7 1/2 on "Give It To Me". Overall the album flows loosely with sound messages and crafty hooks. This is definitely one of the best hip-hop/jazz fusions out there. Jazz enthusiasts will enjoy the deep extended grooves. san diego north county timesBy Cam Miller All you need to know about solarsystem is to hear their first cover of "Me & Mrs Jones". It starts off with a heavy hip-hop beat behind a rap. "Yeah me and Mrs Jones got a thing going on, a thing going on...." and then after a few minutes gently slides into a near-straight reading of the original. The rap and cover swap verses a couple of times before a show stopping, Vegas style climax that devolves back into a rap outro. The LA band's debut is one of the hipper releases yet in the acid jazz school. The lyrics of their original compositions address modern dilemmas, their musicianship is top rank, the beat is consistently danceable. And besides two different versions of "Me & Mrs Jones", solarsystem also turns in a rather funky reading of "Walk On The Wild Side" - slower and heavier than Reed's version. Rating B+ the midwest music review A perfect marriage between jazz and rap by an exciting new group, solarsystem. A gem of a debut album. Five stars - our highest rating!impact Necessity is the mother of invention, and solarsystem has concieved an inventive way to get their music to the masses. Like many prior inventors, solarsystem wanted to make their music more accessible, so "hip-hop meets be-bop". Keyboardist Rodney Lee and guitarist Chris Standring put a new spin to acid jazz by transcending racial color lines with their ideal for a new groove consisting of jazz, rap and dance music. Choice selections: "Too Broke 2B Tired", "Me & Mrs Jones",(Midnight affair mix), "What if", "Rhymes 4 A Rainy Day". --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Location Los Angeles, CA - USA

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