Fourplay 1991 Album

[Melany Odeh]

Fourplayis the debut album by the American smooth jazz group Fourplay released in 1991 on Warner Bros. records. The album went to number 1[2] on the Contemporary Jazz charts, number 16[3] on the R&B charts and number 97[4] on the US Billboard 200. As an album, Fourplay has also been certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.[5]

It rose to No. 16 in the R&B rankings and No. 97 in America's list of top pop records. Now three decades old, the band's self-titled debut album, was not only the blueprint for the group's sound but also functioned as a foundation stone upon which Fourplay built a remarkable career.

Originally released in September 1991, Fourplay is now reissued by Evosound, to celebrate the album's 30th anniversary, as a 180-gram double LP in a gatefold sleeve. A previously unreleased long version of "After The Dance" is included as a bonus track. The remastering and lacquer cutting of the album was undertaken using the high-resolution digital transfer from the original analog master tapes. The double LP is available here as a non-limited black vinyl version.

The Grand Piano Canyon sessions marked the genesis of the group that eventually came to be known as Fourplay. Their self-titled debut album was released in 1991, and included a blend of jazz, R&B and pop.

The sense of experimentation continued with the 2002 release of Heartfelt. The material in this set emerged from a series of improvisational performances that were assembled into full compositions. As a result, the tunes have less clearly defined melodies, but the overall album is both exploratory and accessible at the same time.

After 12 years with the group, Carlton left in April 2010 to delve further into his solo career, and the band welcomed its newest member, multi-faceted virtuoso guitarist, Chuck Loeb. His musical contributions undoubtedly enhance the creativity and pursuit of excellence Fourplay has enjoyed in the studio and on the stage.

Fourplay is a renowned contemporary jazz group that has captivated audiences worldwide with their unique fusion of smooth jazz, R&B, pop, and funk. The group was formed in 1990 and consists of four incredibly talented musicians: Bob James (keyboardist), Nathan East (bassist and vocalist), Harvey Mason (drummer), and Chuck Loeb (guitarist). Each member brings their own distinct musical style and expertise to the ensemble, resulting in a cohesive and dynamic sound.

The origins of Fourplay trace back to a recording session where Bob James and Harvey Mason collaborated on James' album. Impressed by their musical chemistry, they decided to form a band and invited Nathan East to join them. Later, guitarist Lee Ritenour became a founding member, but when he departed in 1998, Chuck Loeb replaced him, solidifying the lineup that has remained to this day.

Fourplay released their self-titled debut album in 1991, which quickly gained popularity and achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success. The album showcased their exceptional musicianship and featured smooth jazz hits like "Max-O-Man" and "After the Dance." This initial success set the stage for a string of highly successful albums, including "Between the Sheets," "Elixir," and "Esprit de Four," which further solidified their reputation as one of the leading contemporary jazz acts.

Over the years, Fourplay has collaborated with numerous renowned artists, including Chaka Khan, El DeBarge, Anita Baker, and Eric Clapton, among others. Their live performances are known for their captivating energy and virtuosity, captivating audiences with their intricate musical interplay and improvisation.

Fourplay's enduring popularity and success in the contemporary jazz genre can be attributed to their ability to evolve while staying true to their musical roots. Their albums often blend various genres, incorporating elements of jazz, R&B, and pop, appealing to a wide range of listeners.

Tragically, on July 31, 2017, Chuck Loeb passed away after a battle with cancer, leaving a void in the band. In 2019, guitarist and vocalist Larry Carlton joined Fourplay, bringing his own exceptional talent and adding a new chapter to the group's storied history.

With their remarkable musicianship, captivating performances, and a discography spanning over three decades, Fourplay continues to be a beloved and influential force in contemporary jazz, enchanting audiences around the world with their smooth, soulful sound.

Artist descriptions on Last.fm are editable by everyone. Feel free to contribute!

All user-contributed text on this page is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply.

Fourplay is a contemporary American jazz quartet. The original members of the group were Bob James (keyboards), Lee Ritenour (guitars), Nathan East (bass), and Harvey Mason (drums). In 1997, Lee Ritenour left the group and Fourplay chose Larry Carlton as his replacement. In 2010, Larry Carlton left Fourplay and was replaced by Chuck Loeb.

Their first record, 1991's Fourplay, sold over a million copies and remained at the number one position on Billboard's contemporary jazz chart for 33 weeks. Their next LP, 1993's Between the Sheets, reached number one, went gold, and received a Grammy nomination. In 1995, their third gold album, Elixir, also reached the number one position and remained on the chart for more than 90 weeks.

There was no great cunning master plan that brought noted jazz instrumentalists Bob James (keyboards), Lee Ritenour (guitar), Nathan East (bass) and Harvey Mason (drums) together to form a supergroup. Released in October 1991, Fourplay - aided by the success of the smash single 'After The Dance' - peaked at No. 1 in America' s Contemporary Jazz charts for 33 weeks and sold over a million copies. It rose to No.16 in the R& B rankings and No.97 in America' s list of top pop records, The Billboard 200.

Thanks to the group' s impeccable musicianship and it's internal creative chemistry, Fourplay created an immediately identifiable signature sound, setting the gold standard for smooth jazz in the 1990s. Now three decades old, the band' s self-titled debut album was not only the blueprint for the group's sound but also functioned as a foundation stone upon which Fourplay built a remarkable career. Originally released in September 1991, Fourplay is now reissued by evosound, to celebrate the album 's 30th Anniversary, as a MQA-CD. A previously unreleased long version of 'After The Dance ' is included as a bonus track. The remastering of the album was undertaken using the high-resolution digital transfers from the original analogue master tapes. The MQA-CD plays on all CD players. When a conventional CD player is connected to a MQA-enabled device, the CD will reveal the original master quality.

There was no great cunning master plan that brought noted jazz instrumentalists Bob James (keyboards), Lee Ritenour (guitar), Nathan Eat (bass) and Harvey Mason (drums) together to form a supergroup. Released in October 1991, Fourplay - aided by the success of the smash single "After The Dance" - peaked at No. 1 in America's Contemporary Jazz charts for 33 weeks and sold over a million copies. It rose to No.16 in the R&B rankings and No.97 in America's list of top pop records. Now three decades old, the band's self-titled debut album, was not only the blueprint for the group's sound but also functioned as a foundation stone upon which Fourplay built a remarkable career.

Originally released in September 1991, Fourplay is now reissued by Evosound, to celebrate the album's 30th anniversary, as a multi-channel hybrid SACD including a 5.1 surround mix. A previously unreleased long version of "After The Dance" is included as a bonus track only available in stereo. The remastering of the album was undertaken using the high-resolution digital transfers from the original analogue master tapes. The hybrid multi-channel SACD plays on both SACD and regular CD players.

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 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 Fourplay on the band's successful 1998 album, 4. The seasonal Snowbound was released in 1999. It featured traditional and modern holiday songs, all played in the quartet's increasingly slick style. The band ended its tenure with Warner Bros. with 2000's soft babymaker album Yes, Please. Fourplay attempted to break new ground with 2002's Heartfelt, which was their debut album for RCA's Bluebird imprint. The album consisted of live studio jamming that was heavily edited and assembled using Pro Tools. In 2004 they issued Journey, more a return to their earlier, smoother form than a building-block progression from Heartfelt. In 2006, Fourplay released X, a final album for RCA/Bluebird. The set featured a guest vocal from Michael McDonald on a reading of Steve Winwood's "My Love's Leavin'." The group signed with Heads Up International for 2008's Energy, which was notable for a pair of excellent Carlton compositions and a vocal appearance by Esperanza Spalding on "Prelude for Lovers." Fourplay -- now featuring new guitarist Chuck Loeb replacing Carlton -- assembled again for the label on 2010's Let's Touch the Sky, which included guest appearances by Ruben Studdard and Anita Baker. Two years later, they released Esprit de Four, with guest appearances by Kenny Mason & the Voices of Praise Choir, and Japanese singer Seiko Matsuda. In 2015, Fourplay celebrated their 25th anniversary with the release of the stylistically eclectic studio album Silver. Due to the intensely busy schedules of its members, the group went on indefinite hiatus in 2017. The Best of Fourplay followed in 2018. Three years later, a thoroughly remastered version of their eponymous debut was released to commemorate its 30th anniversary.

&copy Scott Yanow & Thom Jurek /TiVo

3a8082e126