Slowing Down The World

Performer: Chris Botti
Artist: Sting; Jeff Lorber; Alex Acuna Y Su Acuarela De Tambores; Jonatha Brooke; Tony Levin; Bob James; Peter Erskine; Nathan East
Engineer: Andrew Haller; Dan Marnien; David Cole; Tom Jenkins; Greg Burns; Walter Clisson; Larry Hirsch; Andy Smith; Ray Pyle; Simon Osborne; Steve Price
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Personnel includes: Chris Botti (vocals, trumpet, keyboards, programming); Jonatha Brook, Sting (vocals); Mike David (trombone); Jeff Lorber, Harvey Jones, Bob James (keyboards); Marc Shulman, Tim Pierce, Larry Saltzman, Dean Parks (guitar); Armand Sabal Lecco, Jon Ossman, Tony Levine, Larry Klein, Nathan East (bass); John Robinson, Peter Erskine (drums); Shawn Pelton, Alex Acuna, Jerry Marotta (percussion); Garry Hughes (programming); The London Sessions Orchestra. Producers: Chris Botti, Harvey Jones, Andy Snitzer, Bobby Colomby, Larry Klein. Includes liner notes by Chris Botti. Personnel: Chris Botti (vocals, trumpet, keyboards, programming); Jonatha Brooke, Sting (vocals); Tim Pierce (guitar, acoustic guitar); Marc Shulman, Shane Fontayne (guitar); Dean Parks (acoustic guitar); Michael Davis (trombone); Jeff Lorber (piano, electric piano, Clavinet); Jeff Young (piano, electric piano, organ); Hilary James (electric piano); Harvey Jones, C.J. Vancston (keyboards); John "J.R." Robinson , Peter Erskine (drums); Shawn Pelton (hi-hat); Jerry Marotta, Joe Bonadio, Alex Acu�a (percussion); Garry Hughes (programming). Audio Mixers: Chris Botti; Mike Shipley; Bobby Colomby. Liner Note Author: Chris Botti. Recording information: Angel Recording Studios, Lon; Ocean Way Studios, Hollywood, CA; Palaggio Studios, Italy; Truck Sound, New York, NY. Photographer: Rocky Schenck. Unknown Contributor Role: London Session Orchestra. Arrangers: Chris Botti; Rob Mathes. Those who heard Chris Botti playing live in the 1990s realized just how much he had going for him as a trumpeter -- not only an appealing sound (sort of a combination of Miles Davis, Chet Baker, Art Farmer, and Chuck Mangione) and sizable chops, but also a lot of warmth and charisma. Botti's studio recordings, meanwhile, were decent, even though they fell short of his potential. Like his previous efforts, Botti's third album, Slowing Down the World, consists primarily of mellow, light pop-jazz designed for the adult contemporary audience. This is unchallenging music, and yet it would be a major mistake to lump it in with the outright elevator muzak that Kenny G, Dave Koz, Najee, and Richard Elliot were known for. Caressing instrumentals like "Why Not" and "Irresistible Bliss" definitely fall into the easy listening category, but they're more soulful, honest, and substantial than a lot of 1990s adult contemporary fare. Although dominated by instrumentals, this CD offers a few vocals -- Sting has a pleasant, if unremarkable, spot on "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning," while Botti himself provides an unexpected vocal on Randy Newman's "Same Girl." Clearly, Botti's singing owes as much to Baker as his trumpet playing -- like Baker, Botti doesn't have much of a voice, but is nonetheless expressive and intimate. Slowing Down the World is a pleasant collection of mood music, but make no mistake -- Botti is capable of a lot more. ~ Alex Henderson

Chris Botti rose to fame as a crackerjack session and touring trumpeter for the likes of Sting, Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, Paul Simon, and Natalie Merchant. A trained jazz musician, Botti's solo albums evoke a cool-jazz persona similar to Chet Baker, while his use of superstar guest-vocalists ensures Botti a place in the pop charts. Botti released TO LOVE AGAIN in 2005, a sequel to his popular 2004 duets album WHEN I FALL IN LOVE.

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