Jazz / Smooth Jazz; Jazz-Pop; Crossover Jazz
Nathan East - vocals, bass
Lee Ritenour - guitar, guitar synthesizer
Bob James - keyboards, synthesizer
Harvey Mason - vibraphone, marimba, drums, percussion
Additional musicians:
Chaka Khan, Philip Bailey, Chante Moore, Dee Fredrix - vocals
Harvey Mason Jr. - synthesizer, drum programming
It is not too surprising that Fourplay started out fairly popular, for the group, in addition to bassist Nathan East and drummer Harvey Mason, teams together keyboardist Bob James and guitarist Lee Ritenour. Their playing on this Warner Bros. release results in rather predictable background music, easy-listening crossover with touches of jazz heard in the melodic solos along with poppish R&B rhythms. Nathan East's vocals dominate a few selections. Nothing very substantial occurs.
---Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
Fourplay
Active Decades: '90s and '00s
Born: 1991
Genre: Jazz
Styles: Jazz-Pop, Crossover Jazz, Smooth Jazz
This all-star group (comprised of keyboardist Bob James, guitarist Lee Ritenour, bassist Nathan East, and drummer Harvey Mason) was formed in 1991 after the quartet came together on part of James' Grand Piano Canyon album. They have since recorded a number of CDs for Warner Bros. that have all been big-sellers, not surprising considering the popularity of James and Ritenour. Larry Carlton took over the guitarist's spot in the late '90s, first appearing in Fouplay on the band's successful 1998 album, 4. The group's music borders on jazz with some strong improvisations mixed in with large doses of pop and R&B, about what one would expect from these studio musicians.
---Scott Yanow, All Music Guide |
