Three of the biggest instrumental pop hits ever recorded were by trumpeters Hugh Masekela, Herb Alpert, and Chuck Mangione. Botti's fourth album comes equipped with more than enough catchy and light melodies to compete with that legacy, but it will probably be "All Would Envy," one of the two vocal tunes on Night Sessions, that will help this disc dent radio and sales charts. It's a song given an irresistible Brazilian lilt by its composer, Sting, who Botti has toured with, and sung hauntingly by Shawn Colvin. Like those aforementioned horn players, Botti does put an emphasis on rhythm on upbeat groove tunes like "Miami Overnight," "Streets Ahead," and especially "Blue Horizon," which has more than a hint of Europe's drum & bass sound, and features killer keyboard work by Billy Childs and album producer Kipper. But it's the Alpert-influenced "Through an Open Window," with its rock guitars and slick melody line that many may consider the hottest track. Most of the other tracks consist of Botti's crisp clear tone cutting through the kind of atmospheric, heavily padded keyboard music that has gotten him on smooth-jazz radio and Hollywood soundtracks. --Mark Ruffin

Customer Rating:
Summary: Sweet and smooth
Comment: Chris Botti's trumpet is so sweet and smooth it stimulates memory like memory of tastes that remain forever associated with something good on the pallette.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Soothing Jazz
Comment: I like this album. I noticed that when I picked it up the critics had highly rated it. I still like his "When I Fall in Love" better. So far I haven't been disappointed in anything he plays though. Smooth, technically flawless trumpet playing. I like that he blends the jazz and pop so easily.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Outstanding
Comment: The warm and sensual melodic tones of this cd reveal this outstanding artist as a soulful natural, expressing his passion for his instrument and the music of life in terms we all can appreciate. Outstanding !!!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: The ultimate mood disc
Comment: Chris is a trumpet master and one who really knows how to create a mood in his music. He gets it. He knows how to put his emotion into it so that it's transferred to the listener. The only other trumpeter that puts his soul into his music and that you can hear through a mute (which I think is difficult to do) is Miles Davis. The musicianship is tremendous and his band really adds to his minimalistic playing...less is more. I'm always picking up new licks from Chris and his band in this disc bacause his music has a number of layers if you're listening for them! This is the 1st disc of his I owned and it's one I'll never get tired of it.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Fantastic
Comment: We have alot of music by Chris Botti, but this CD is, by far, my personal favorite. It is so expressive and emotional. Just absolutely beautiful.

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