[SACD-R][OF] Chris Botti – Night Sessions - 2001/2002 (Jazz, Smooth Jazz, Crossover Jazz)

 

Extraordinarily, for one so young, this is Botti’s fourth solo album – not counting a film soundtrack. It is good that those who have heard him in the company of Sting & Joni Mitchell may have been tempted by his more explicit jazz mode. This is a wonderfully produced, exquisitely played collection. Smooth in the best sense of that word. This album was recorded, as the title suggests, during the night when Chris & musicians returned from touring with Sting.

By Carl E. Olson:
Let’s see: the cover art shouts “pretty,” the music is supposedly “smooth jazz” (augh!), and the title–Night Sessions–is, well, bland.
But I’ll be darned if this isn’t a great CD. Botti may be pretty, but so is his playing, in the best sense of the word. And while the music may be smooth, it isn’t (thank goodness) the blandly vapid stuff that usually passes for contemporary jazz. Although different in many ways, the music reminds me of Wayne Shorter’s underrated and wonderful “High Life”: intelligent, contemporary instrumental music that actually defies genres. Both effortless and far more complex than it initially seems, this is music that one can either relax to as background music or seriously consider right up front.
I have to agree with one of the other reviewers, who rightly points out that Dominic Miller is one brilliant player. His presence is clearly evident–and it doesn’t hurt to have players like Christian McBride (who plays with Botti on Sting’s latest live CD) and Vinni Colaiuta (another Sting alumni). A fine disc–I’m officially a fan.
By Nolan Quinn:
I’m a Jazz trumpeter myself, & never heard anything similar to Botti’s lyricism. (That’s the 1st 5 stars: originality.)
Of course, listening to Chet Baker you hear the warmest & most dreamy sound one can possibly get out of a Bb horn. Miles, late in his career, experimented with “pop” songs with lyrical melodies, but his sound was sometimes scratchy & most of the time out-of-tune (which doesn’t mean that you couldn’t appreciate it: that was trademark music!), &: it got pretty commercial.
The Night Sessions are “coolness” at its best, & stylistically somehow linked to both the trumpeters. Simple & straightforward phrasing, but very efficient & unique, is the biggest part of it. Then, to prevent it from getting too repetitive, Botti blends finger-knotting licks within the unruffled harmonic textures.
So far so good, really! (Let’s give it 2 stars more… 7 ?!)
But then, listening closely, you perceive that there’s little interaction between the different instruments, mainly because most of the effects were mixed in later, & because sure enough the Sessions were recorded with an ordinary studio approach: record most of the voices separately & mix them together after having them duly EQ-altered! (That’s the only way I can explain his getting out-of-tune, on long notes especially! Usually flat – check track 11 “Through an open window”.)
Subtract a star…
In addition to the negative aspects of the CD are some of the commercial “keyboard” harmonics, mere software pre-programmed PAD sounds or effects…
Subtract another one…
So I give this CD *****. I simply couldn’t believe it was possible to mix typical Jazz trumpet-lyricism with “almost-pop” harmonic schemes & sounds in such a clean & totally convincing way.
By Rodrigo Alexander:
I first listened to Chris Botti’s “Night Sessions” in my friend’s car after purchasing it at a local music store. As soon as the groove started on “Lisa” I was hooked. I haven’t been able to stop listening to this album since!
Being a trumpet player myself, I can definitely appreciate the sound Botti produces. His mastery of warm & smooth note transitions is most evident on track 10 “Light the Stars” & track 12 “Easter Parade”. I’ll be the 1st to tell you; sound like THAT you’re either born with or work your whole life developing (the latter being my case). Whatever Botti’s case may be, he sure makes my (& a lot of other trumpet players’) knees wobble every time he articulates the reocurring rhythmic theme, or riff, of “Miami Overnight”. His control of melody & harmony, although simple, directly honour & quote the great Miles Davis & the west coast style. This is clear on track 1 “Lisa” & track 6 “Best Time” where he applies great “harmon” mute technique very similar to Davis’ ballad styles on “Kinda Blue”.
My favorite tracks on this CD are “When I See You”, “All Would Envy”, “Streets Ahead”, & (you guessed it) “Miami Overnight”. This record is a MUST for anyone who is serious about music &/or the tone & musicality on their instrument; whatever that instrument may be. As for the rest of you, it can be, & I believe I’m quoting Botti directly on this one, “music to shag by”. Overall, Chris Botti brings smooth jazz to a new level; 1 where other “legit” jazz players (like myself) will not be embarrassed to admit that they own this “smooth” record.

1.Образ iso нужно записать на DVD диск программой ImgBurn, получив в итоге SACD-R.
Какие стационарные SACD плееры играют и не играют рипнутые SACD диски (SACD-R)? (обсуждение).
2.Для проигрывания на компьютере: foobar2000 + sacd-плагин к нему (открывать образ прямо в foobar2000).
Воспроизведение и конверсия SACD на компьютере (обсуждение).