Before commencing my write up of “Studs n’ Sisters” I would like to thank Edward Box (Lion Music artist) for bringing Chris Francis up on my guitar music radar. I try to keep up with as much guitar instrumental music as possible but sometimes exciting releases and real gems slip by and let me say this is more than a gem it’s a polished diamond.

So who is Chris Francis? He is a graduate of the now dissolved MI London (Platinum Award). He was finalist in Guitarist magazines “Guitarist Of The Year” contest in 1999 and won the title in 2000.He has released an instrumental video (“Up To Speed with Chris Francis”), recorded two solo albums (“Chris Francis” and “Studs n’ Sisters”) four albums with TEN and done numerous sessions and projects big and small.

Live work between TEN and his own band has taken him from pubs and bars in England through the halls of Japan to the Summer Rock Festivals of Europe. He is a regular lecturer at the Thames Valley University and London College of Music and Media.

It is clear that Chris keeps himself busy and is a gifted and motivated guitarist and musician. How did he find time to record a solo album? Lucky for us he did.

The album kicks off with “Pickle and Baby Bear". It's a spoken piece with guitar beeping out the swear words. It raises a smile and leads us into “Studs n’ Sisters". This is a great striding song, which is reminiscent of Vai and Nuno Bettencourt at their melodic best. It rocks along nicely. Chris shows controlled playing throughout and never overplays. A delayed trippy intro that  U2’s “The Edge” would be proud of introduces “Sometime Lady Crazy". This song is anthemic and has a framework that would probably be a hit record if given to Gene Simmons or Paul Stanley. This is stadium guitar rock." Light It Up” is a funky guitar work out complete with horn bursts and has some tasty soloing from guest guitar player Blues Saraceno. “Used-To -Be” is one of my favourites from this album. It's melodic guitar soloing par excellence. Lovers of Satriani in his mellow mode will love this. Chris really digs in to the notes and at times I was reminded of Michael Lee Firkins. It's well arranged and has great build up in the middle.

“Lift the Dogs” is a solid rock instrumental with super slinky tapped and legato playing." Riding For A Fall” takes the pedal off the metal and once again like “Used-To-Be” shows Chris in melody mode. There are some gorgeous bursts of speed and tasty bends and double-stop playing. Another highlight for this reviewer. “You Can Dance Better Than That” sees Chris using his wah wah to make his guitar splutter and sqwauk. It bounces along and is from the Nuno school of rock. “2nd Base” is a nice jazzy fusion like piece. It's the sort of song where Larry Carlton and Steve Lukather would have a ball wailing over. Very tasty." Death Bitch” is a tongue in cheek metal work out. All we need is Ozzy putting some vocals over it to put the icing on the cake. Chris shreds on the play out of this track." Sunday Night At The Sauceboat” is another spoken track where Chris shows he has a zany side. “Material Girl” is a cover of the Madonna hit but is given the guitar treatment. It's fun and lets Chris play with lots of textures and effects. “Deleted Scenes” is a bonus track where Chris once again has Blues Saraceno putting in a guest solo. It's built on the original “Light It Up” track.

This is a fine guitar instrumental album. For those people who have followed guitar trends from the early eighties onward this is a treat. Chris has managed to encompass the vibes of guitar music from the likes of Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Nuno Bettencourt, Eddie Van Halen and Andy Timmons but put his own stamp on proceedings. There are many guitar albums out there where musicians end up sounding like their heroes. In Steve's case this hasn’t happened. He has created guitar music, which has at its heart melody and real song like structures. This album isn’t a guitar workout with tunes which sound likes exercises. It is refreshing as it is not indulgent and excessive .For guitarists this album is essential listening and for music lovers who can see past the instrumental guitar tag there is much on offer to reward the listener.

This album is unreservedly highly recommended

Chris’s first solo album simply titled Chris Francis is also available on Up To Speed Records (UTSCD01). Like “Studs n’ Sisters” it is an album of melodic playing with moments of wizardry but has at its heart excellent songs and it also comes highly recommended.

Let us know your views on 'Studs N Sinners'

Track List

Pickle And Baby Bear
Studs n' Sisters
Sometime Lady Crazy
Light It Up
Used-To-Be
Lift The Dogs
Riding For A Fall
You Can Dance Better Than That
2nd Base
Death Bitch
Sunday Nite @ The Sauceboat
Material Girl
Deleted Scenes