Track Listing

1. Irresistible Bliss
2. Look
3. Drive Time
4. In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning
5. Open Touch
6. Under a Painted Sky
7. Why Not
8. Place Between Us
9. Same Girl
10. Where I'm Calling From
11. Letting Go

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7008 in Music
• Released on: 1999-06-22
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .21 pounds

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.

--- JAZZIZ Magazine Copyright © 2000, Milor Entertainment, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Hit The Jackpot
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.

Blissfully smooth!
This is the fourth Chris Botti CD I have bought and I just can't say enough. His music just makes you feel content, sensual and happy. I never tire of his trumpet style. On this CD I love all the songs, but two in particular stand out. Under a Painted Sky and Irresistable Bliss. He never disappoints.

I rank his CDs in the following order:

First Wish, is my favorite. Midnight Without You, is a very close second place. Caught, was the first CD I bought of his and I enjoy it. Slowing Down the World, is the most recent and I also enjoy it.

You can't go wrong with any one of these. Keep em coming Chris.

Irresistable Bliss....captured by Chris Botti
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.