Sony
2003
A Thousand Kisses Deep
About This Album
Chris Botti's sixth album is a wonderfully, even perfectly crafted group of originals and covers that accent his deep crossover appeal as both a jazz and pop musician. Botti's phrasing is very keen, uncanny in the way it works with simple rhythmic structures, and his tone is rich and warm. His use of keyboards and drum loops is pretty much up to the minute in terms of its hip factor, and his arrangements appeal to serious jazz fans and are something akin to blessed-out ecstasy to smooth jazz aficionados. Therein also lies the problem. Botti hasn't significantly developed his sense of artifice since his debut album and, if anything, has delved deeper into its oh-so-cool bachelor pad faux elegance than ever on A Thousand Kisses Deep. The title track, a very moving song written by Leonard Cohen, is the finest moment on the disc. A spare guitar backdrop is adorned simply; Botti plays the melody in short, clipped staccato phrases for an entire full verse before the rhythm section enters. The effect is haunting, lushly romantic, and full of a sensual warmth that is as spooky as it is silky. The spare keyboards and brushed drums offer the song as something slightly Latin (thanks to the gorgeous guitar playing by Dean Parks).
Track List (try track 1)

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