Chris Botti - To Love Again: The Duets CD

To Love Again: The Duets CD music Although the most popular contemporary jazz tends to fall into the "lite" category, trumpeter Chris Botti avoids painting himself into this corner by sticking with an approach more reminiscent of Chet Baker. For his 2004 album, WHEN I FALL IN LOVE, Botti takes it a step further by employing the London Session Orchestra to provide him with lush accompaniment on a program predominantly made up of standards. The Oregon native adds further layers to the album's sound by calling on singer Paula Cole, whose burnished vocals provide a fine foil on a brush-stroked version of Irving Berlin's "What'll I Do?" and "How Love Should Be," with its subtle mix of piano and strings. Along with exquisite takes on Rodgers & Hart ("My Romance") and the Gershwins ("Someone to Watch Over Me"), Botti also shows a knack for the cinematic nuance of Ennio Morricone ("Cinema Paradiso") and the pop-jazz of Sade ("No Ordinary Love"). The handsome horn player even ropes old employer Sting and bandmates Dominic Miller and Vinnie Colaiuta into lending their talents on the samba-flavored "La Belle Dame Sans Regrets" (composed by Sting and Miller). With its dusky mood, WHEN I FALL IN LOVE serves as the perfect soundtrack for a late-night cocktail party or a romantic evening by the fireplace. Live Recording Recording information: Air Lyndhurst Hall, London, England; Avatar Studio, New York, NY; Capitol studios, Los Angeles, CA; JHL Sound, Los Angeles, CA. Photographer: Fabrizio Ferri. Arrangers: Bobby Colomby; Jeff Lorber; Brian Bromberg; Jeremy Lubbock; Mark Schulman. Personnel: Chris Botti (vocals, trumpet); Chris Botti; Jill Zadeh (vocals); Mitch Dalton (acoustic guitar); Fiona Hibbert (harp); Julian Leaper, Deborah Widdup, David Woodcock, Maciej Rakowski, Tom Bowes, Jonathan Evans-Jones, Paul Willey, Rolf Wilson, Steve Morris, Roger Garland, Patrick Kiernan, Boguslaw Kostecki, Rita Manning, Kenneth Sillito, Cathy Thompson, Jackie Shave (violin); Vicci Wardman, Edward Vanderspar, George Robertson, Ivo Jan van der Werff, Peter Lale, Bruce White (viola); Frank Schaefer, Anthony Lewis , Caroline Dearnley, David Daniels , Paul Kegg, Anthony Pleeth (cello); Karen Jones, Helen Keen, Stan Sulzmann, Philip Todd (flute, alto flute); Andy Panayi (bass flute); Nick Rodwell, Anthony Pike (clarinet); Jamie Talbot (bass clarinet, tenor saxophone); David Theodore (oboe); Bob Sheppard (saxophone); Nigel Hitchcock (alto saxophone); John Barclay, Guy Barker, Derek Watkins (trumpet, flugelhorn); Mike Thompson , Richard Bissill, David Pyatt (French horn); Pete Beachill, Mark Nightingale, Richard Edwards (trombone, tenor trombone); Dave Stewart (bass trombone, euphonium); Billy Childs Trio (piano, Fender Rhodes piano); Greg Phillinganes (piano, keyboards); Federico Gonzalez Peña, Billy Childs (piano); Brian Bromberg (bass instrument); Patrick Lannigan, Alec Dankworth, Chris Laurence , Mary Scully (double bass); Ralph Salmins (drums); Paula Cole, Sting (vocals); Dean Parks, Dominic Miller, Shane Fontayne (guitar); Gil Goldstein (accordion); Jeff Lorber (keyboards); Billy Kilson, Vinnie ...

To Love Again: The Duets buy CD music  

To Love Again: The Duets songs With its seething, laid-back funk beats and steamy lyrics full of obvious references to romantic trysts, it doesn't get any sexier than Brian Culbertson's IT'S ON TONIGHT. A number of prominent crossover jazz artist lend their talents here. For example, the downtempo title track features a sensual R&B vocal from singer Will Downing. Later, saxophonist Boney James' mellifluous lines become the focus of "The Way You Feel." On "Secret Affair," relative newcomer Chris Botti plays Miles Davis-influenced riffs over a spacious one-chord vamp (and his use of a Harmon mute creates that smoky, late-night effect). Kirk Whalum's silky tenor saxophone beautifully complements Patti Austin's soulful voice on "Love Will Never Let You Down," a seductive ballad about love's resilience. Instrumental tracks such as "Sensuality" and "Touch Me" combine relaxing atmospherics with deep-pocketed grooves. Through it all, Culbertson's smooth keys and horn lines (he plays both trumpet and trombone) shimmer and shine. Recording information: BCM Studios. Photographer: Lisa Peardon. Arrangers: Brian Culbertson; Stephen Lu. Personnel: Brian Culbertson (trumpet, trombone, piano, keyboards, bass synthesizer, percussion, drum programming, background vocals); Brian Culbertson; Michelle Culbertson (vocals, violin); Ledisi (vocals); Tony Maiden (guitar, wah-wah guitar); Jorge Evans (guitar); Michael Thompson , J. Michael Thompson (acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Tim Stewart (electric guitar, nylon-string guitar); Ricky Peterson (Hammond b-3 organ); Stephen Lu (keyboards, bass synthesizer, programming, drum programming); Marcus Miller, Alex Al (bass instrument); Marc Nelson, Patti Austin (vocals, background vocals); Will Downing (vocals); Paul Jackson, Jr. (guitar, electric guitar); Micah Otano (acoustic guitar); Kirk Whalum, Eric Darius, Boney James (tenor saxophone); Chris Botti (trumpet); Greg Phillinganes (Fender Rhodes piano). Audio Mixer: Peter Mokran.

To Love Again: The Duets album for sale The sophomore release on Narada's jazz imprint for Tower of Power's former saxman Euge Groove, Just Feels Right is an attempt to return to the music of 1976. The groove is the key to the whole, with a mix of funk, smooth jazz, and what almost sounds like quiet storm popping in from time to time. The album was made with a vintage ethic, using almost no gear made after 1976. The session musicians, as well, are from a different age, taking time to perfect the groove and lay out a nice backing rhythm. The compositions aren't particularly adventurous, but that's not really their purpose either. What they are is generally relaxed, simple works. The string arrangements can go a bit over the top at times, in full Love Unlimited Orchestra-style, but for the most part they hang back with a soft touch on the Hammond and all is well. A perfect album for a quiet groove in the background of a sunny drive. ~ Adam Greenberg Live Recording Liner Note Author: Euge Groove. Recording information: Funky Joint, Sherman Oaks, CA; Sunset Sound, Hollywood, CA; White Lightning Studio; Woody Reed, Westlake Village, CA. Personnel: Euge Groove (soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, piano, Fender Rhodes piano, Clavinet, Wurlitzer organ, keyboards, synthesizer, programming, music box); Euge Groove (Wurlitzer piano, Hammond b-3 organ); Peter White (nylon-string guitar); Clarence McDonald (piano, Fender Rhodes piano, Hammond b-3 organ); Mike Egizi (ARP synthesizer); Freddie "Ready Freddie" Washington , Roberto Vally (bass guitar); Paul Brown (guitar, nylon-string guitar); David T. Walker, Ray Parker Jr., Tony Maiden (guitar); Michael White (nylon-string guitar, drums); James Gadson (drums); Lenny Castro (percussion). Audio Mixer: Bill Schnee.

To Love Again: The Duets CD music Personnel: Richard Elliot (tenor saxophone); Dwight Sills, Peter White (guitar); Rick Braun (trumpet); Gregg Karukas, Jeff Lorber, Phil Davis, Rex Rideout, Brian Culbertson (keyboards); Nate Phillips, Ronnie Garrett (bass instrument); Michael White (drums); Lenny Castro (percussion).

To Love Again: The Duets buy CD music With Yours Truly Rick Braun broadens his audience appeal with smooth "jazzpects" of such pop and R&B covers as "Shining Star," "Holdin' Back the Years," "Love's Theme," "All Around the World," and "Daughters," among others. His muted trumpeting on Earth, Wind & Fire's mega-hit "Shining Star" opens the program and sets the cool, laid-back tone of the set. This cool, laid-back feeling has put Braun in the ring with the best of the world's greatest trumpeters. On "Holdin' Back the Years," his modern traditional approach gives listeners a sense of deep and undulating relaxation. His fluid-like state of inner joy surfaces in such appealing riffs that you simply forget you're listening to a CD. On "Love's Theme" the addition of Braun's trumpet voice to Craig Sharmat's skillful orchestral arrangement induces a state of complete harmony. "All Around the World" is an inspired odyssey. Rick Braun uses a melodic search for the woman in this man's warm stream of memories. Throughout the song, Braun gently pours a relaxed torrent of notes into a groove-infused synthesis of guitars, bass, and percussion offered by Ross Bolton, David Dyson, and Lenny Castro. "Daughters," which features Jeff Golub, is absolutely beautiful and renders a sensation of tranquility. "Groove Is in the Heart" offers an up-tempo, funky change of pace and creativity. Braun's playing is definitely sexy, supple, and energetic. He is especially romantic on this rendition of "What Are You Doing for the Rest of Your Life?" David Benoit's beautiful piano and string arrangements tug at your heart and make this song the perfect mood-setter for falling in love and popping the magic question to someone special. Craig Sharmat's "heartbeat" effect really adds a subtle difference to this gorgeous ballad. Although this particular recording excludes original compositions by Braun and the ultra-fiery blowing heard on his Grammy-winning duet recording with Boney James titled Shake It Up, fear not. This is classic Rick Braun in a mellow, melodic mood, transporting listeners with the rich tones of his muted trumpet voice through the musical landscape of his life. Highly recommended. ~ Paula Edelstein Personnel: Rick Braun (trumpet, flugelhorn); Jeff Golub, Todd Sharp, Ross Bolton, John Pondell (guitar); Steve Kujala (flute); Mitchel Forman (keyboards); David Dyson, Stan Sargeant (bass instrument); Lenny Castro (percussion); Bud Harner.