Botti is a phenomenal player. Technically, he's probably one of the best out there. His incredibly smooth, controlled tone is honey for the ears! When I Fall In Love is a CD full of timeless love ballads gently and beautifully executed by all involved in the project. Elegant in its simplicity, it is predominantly Botti’s trumpet accompanied by acoustic guitar, bass and piano. The orchestration by the London Session Orchestra is delightfully underplayed leaving Botti clearly in the foreground.

When I Fall In Love is a collection of 13 standards and pop songs beginning with the bluesy title track and ending with what, for me, is the highlight of the CD, “Time to Say Goodbye (Con Te Partiro),” a stunning aria with great orchestration and breathtaking trumpet throughout.

In between Paula Cole lends her vocals on “What Will I Do” and “How Love Should Be.” Dominic Miller and Sting weigh in on “La Belle Sans Regrets” (written by Miller and Sting). “La Belle Sans Regrets” also features the wonderful piano work of Billy Childs who also adds his magic to the Sade song, “No Ordinary Love,” “Cinema Paridiso,” “The Nearness of You,” “Make Someone Happy,” and “One For My Baby.” Brian Bromberg adds his touch on bass throughout the CD.

“No Ordinary Love” also features Jeff Lorber, and is the most radio friendly track on the record. “Let’s Fall In Love” has a great big band/swing feel that blends wonderfully with Botti’s very straight-ahead trumpet. “Cinema Paradiso” gives us a lush sound-track with full orchestration, some breathtaking piano work and wonderful acoustic bass and guitar all complimenting Botti’s lead.

“Someone To Watch Over Me” starts out hauntingly but moves into a playful slow dance with an ending you don’t want to miss. Botti’s amazing control on the trumpet is never heard more clearly than it is on his traditional jazz take of “Nearness Of You,” and I can almost see Fred Astaire dancing his way across the stage during “Make Someone Happy,” the CD’s lightest, most upbeat track.

This isn't the CD to pop in if you are in the get-up-and-dance mood, or in need of something upbeat, but for times when you need a little quiet time, or when you want to just sit back and chill, When I Fall In Love is some nice stuff!

When I Fall In Love - a little pop, a little bossa nova, a little big band, a lot of traditional jazz with a touch of Miles Davis and Chet Baker, and all Chris Botti.

- Elizabeth Ware