Slowing Down the World

Amazon.com
Whether his trumpet is open or muted, Chris Botti is an artist of the subtlest detail, able to draw an emotion with the briefest phrase. Sometimes even a single note--a sudden high, a muffled half valve, or a burred aside in the lower register--can be telling. On Slowing Down the World, he's consciously invoking the quiet moments, creating limpid pools of melody and reflection. That attention to the nuance of mood is apparent in his solo on "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning," when he begins with a welling, rising phrase that illuminates the mood created by vocalist Sting. Botti is supported throughout by top-rank musicians like bassist Tony Levin and drummer Peter Erskine, and the London Sessions Orchestra, arranged and conducted by Anna Dudley, creates a plush carpet of sound on four tracks. Bob James contributes his distinctive electric piano lines to "The Open Touch," and Botti sings on Randy Newman's "Same Girl," adding an intimate and plaintive tone that might suggest Chet Baker, who Botti pays homage to on Playing by Heart. --Adam Rains

From Jazziz
Trumpeter Chris Botti is unique among the musicians you'll hear on smooth-jazz radio. Although Slowing Down the World was liberally strewn with synth-pad undercoatings, the main thrust is real-time, acoustic instruments doing the atmospheric work on top. Botti tapped veterans from L.A.'s studio scene, such as Bob James, Jeff Lorber, and Peter Erskine, for the date, but what shines most of all is the gentle arc of his own horn's sound. It's easy to see why pop stars like Paul Simon and Sting have recruited Botti for their tours. And it's easy to hear that this young trumpeter has his own take on the pop-jazz blend.

Slowing Down the World,Chris Botti,Polygram Records,Jazz,Jazz Music,Pop

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SLOWING DOWN THE WORLD

SLOWING DOWN THE WORLD

SLOWING DOWN THE WORLD

Irresistable Bliss....captured by Chris Botti

Hit The Jackpot

Slowing Down the World
Chris Botti
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music
Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
General | Pop | Styles | Music
Orchestral Pop | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B00000JBFS
Release Date: 1999-06-22

Tracks:

Irresistible Bliss
The Look
Drive Time
In The Wee Small Hours
The Open Touch
Under A Painted Sky
Why Not
The Place Between Us
Same Girl
Where I'm Calling From
Letting Go

Amazon.com

Whether his trumpet is open or muted, Chris Botti is an artist of the subtlest detail, able to draw an emotion with the briefest phrase. Sometimes even a single note--a sudden high, a muffled half valve, or a burred aside in the lower register--can be telling. On Slowing Down the World, he's consciously invoking the quiet moments, creating limpid pools of melody and reflection. That attention to the nuance of mood is apparent in his solo on "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning," when he begins with a welling, rising phrase that illuminates the mood created by vocalist Sting. Botti is supported throughout by top-rank musicians like bassist Tony Levin and drummer Peter Erskine, and the London Sessions Orchestra, arranged and conducted by Anna Dudley, creates a plush carpet of sound on four tracks. Bob James contributes his distinctive electric piano lines to "The Open Touch," and Botti sings on Randy Newman's "Same Girl," adding an intimate and plaintive tone that might suggest Chet Baker, who Botti pays homage to on Playing by Heart. --Adam Rains

Customer Reviews:

SLOWING DOWN THE WORLD.......2004-12-24

Slowing Down The World (1999) is definitely a classic from Chris Botti who puts out real music w/ much sultry and jazzy feel to it. The thing I like about him is that he's always sound more relaxed w/o too much vibe 2 it. I think the matter of it is that every jazz artist/lover or trumpet player of course should pick this album. 'Cuz this is one of my favorites to date. Even though I haven't bought it yet, I'ma still purchased it once I get a job or sumthin. Most songs that interest me from this CD are Irresistable Bliss, Drive Time and Why Not (definitely a classic). People called him the Chet Baker of the Trumpet or the next James Dean of Jazz which people might say.

SLOWING DOWN THE WORLD.......2003-02-04

This guy is just plain good,he makes the most beautiful sounds I have ever heard come out of a trumpet. Sometimes a little repetitious but he plays so doggone pretty who cares. If it were just Chris Botti and his music I would give this album 10 stars but there are a couple of tracks here that make me want to holler and not in a good way.

First let me tell you what I do like about this album.

TRACK 1 IRRESISTIBLE BLISS This is such easy listening and played so beautifully that you want to listen to it forever.
TRACK 2 THE LOOK This one continues the soulful sound of his horn in much the same vein as track 1, but starts to bog down a little for me like too much of a good thing.

TRACK 3 DRIVE TIME I love it. It picks me back up--brings me back to life. His trumpet is light and airy and at times playful. Great tempo--all in all a terrific selection.

NOW HERE'S WHERE IT STARTS TO COME APART FOR ME.

TRACK 4 "WEE SMALL HOURS" This is one of the most beautiful and enduring standards ever penned both music and lyric. The arrangement and Chris Botti's trumpet are exceptional, but this ballad needs a voice that can do it justice, not just someone with a style. I like Sting and have several of his CD's but he is way out of his league on this one. I don't know why instrumental artists feel compelled to make vocals a part of their album. If I wanted vocals I would buy vocals and if you insist upon bringing me a vocalist in keeping with your smooth jazz album it had better be Al Jarreau or someone comparable.

The rest of the album is good but it has now lost me. I just can't seem to get past "WEE SMALL HOURS" and just when I think maybe I can we arrive at TRACK 8 "SAME GIRL" and now Mr. Botti feels compelled to bring me HIS vocal stylings. I think it's perfectly O.K. for an instrumental artist to sing ..!!! Can't you just stick to doing what you do probably better than anyone else in then whole wide world. Just [play] your horn.

SLOWING DOWN THE WORLD.......2003-02-04

First let me tell you what I do like about this album.

TRACK 3 DRIVE TIME I love it. It picks me back up--brings me back to life. His trumpet is light and airy and at times playful. Great tempo--all in all a terrific selection.

NOW HERE'S WHERE IT STARTS TO COME APART FOR ME.

The rest of the album is good but it has now lost me. I just can't seem to get past "WEE SMALL HOURS" and just when I think maybe I can we arrive at TRACK 8 "SAME GIRL" and now Mr. Botti feels compelled to bring me HIS vocal stylings. I think it's perfectly O.K. for an instrumental artist to sing as long as he's George Benson, but Chris PAHLEEZE!!! Can't you just stick to doing what you do probably better than anyone else in then whole wide world. Just blow your horn.

Irresistable Bliss....captured by Chris Botti.......2002-01-30

Listening to music and my heart felt every note and loved how it felt as the music flowed effortlessly and beautifully as Chris shared his heart through his music. Touched by the subtle expressions so softly, yet felt so profoundly, this is beautiful music to Slow Down Your World and be in the moment! Just beautiful Chris thank you for sharing the love.

Hit The Jackpot.......2001-04-04

I took a chance on this CD because I love smooth jazz trumpeters, who are pretty rare amid the flood of sax and piano artists. I had the choice between Slowing Down The World and Midnight Without You and had never heard of Chris Botti before. I noticed Slowing Down The World was characterized as very smooth and sensual on the liner notes so I chose it. "Smooth and Sensual" is quite an understatement!

I was euphoric when I played Slowing Down The World the first time and I still can't stop playing it. What a delightful album; consistent and excellent all the way through. I will be buying all of Chris Botti's CDs. Creed Taylor would surely have signed Chris up 25 years ago and he would have been another Freddie Hubbard on the superb CTI label.

My favorite track is number 5, The Open Touch. This is clearly the zenith track and must be heard several times all the way through for full appreciation. It is a Smooth Jazz #1 calibre track. Slowing Down The World has the obligatory Michael Franks-type vocal track and Sting's vocal appearance is OK, but I really wish smooth jazz albums would be purely instrumental. Why mar such instrumental elegance and spoil the mood? Leave the singing to pop and rock.

Botti is extremely soulful and sensuous and each note is clearly evocative of intense mood; he is to smooth jazz trumpet what David Gilmour is to rock guitar. Botti's notes and textures are rich and sophisticated, his phrasing and rhythms reassuring and elegant, and the overall atmosphere created in the CD is very polished, classy, and richly detailed.

A great album for two lovers to savor over chilled glasses of wine in a romantic setting like a candlelit bubblebath or while making slow passionate love. This will truly be one of the albums many satisfied fans will treasure for many hours of exquiste enjoyment.

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