Fourplay

Fourplay | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 17, 1991)
• Original Release Date: September 17, 1991
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Warner Bros / Wea
• ASIN: B000002LQ5
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  DVD Audio  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,972 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #23 in Music > Music Deals > $7.99 and Under
  • #46 in Music > Jazz > Smooth Jazz

Editorial Reviews

Japanese only SHM Pressing. The SHM-CD [Super High Material CD] format features enhanced audio quality through the use of a special polycarbonate plastic. Using a process developed by JVC and Universal Music Japan discovered through the joint companies' research into LCD display manufacturing SHM-CDs feature improved transparency on the data side of the disc allowing for more accurate reading of CD data by the CD player laser head. SHM-CD format CDs are fully compatible with standard CD players. Warner. 2009. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Smooth jazz supergroup sets new standard, June 9, 2000

By 

John Jones "Musician" (Chicago IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fourplay (Audio CD)

The assemblage of pianist Bob James, guitarist Lee Ritenour, bassist Nathan East and drummer Harvey Mason makes for as impressive a modern jazz band lineup as you are likely to find. But it's not just good on paper; the artistic blend and level of material here makes Fourplay's self-titled debut a smooth-jazz touchstone.

What's most impressive is their ability to avoid the realm of Easy Listening Instrumental Pop, something difficult to do in the modern jazz field. Instead of songs merely lacking vocals, Fourplay comes up with an extremely tuneful and memorable set. The opener, "Bali Run," gets things off to an energetic start, and "101 Eastbound" is a silky piece of midtempo seduction. The lush chord progression in the gently swinging "Foreplay" (technically not a title track) has a strong Dave Grusin influence, and "Quadrille" borders on Bossa Nova for a gorgeous, exotic tone.

Fourplay even had the foresight to invite El DeBarge to sit in on a remake of Marvin Gaye's "After the Dance," and the results are glorious. Instead of being a mere easy shot at radio success (which it got them anyway), DeBarge's silky vocals mesh perfectly with Fourplay's smooth sound, and Bob James is given ample opportunity to provide a killer solo; the end result is one of the genre's finest recordings.

But then, the same can be said for the album as a whole. With astounding class and skill, Fourplay sets a new standard for the Smooth Jazz genre, one that is sure to be treasured by jazz lovers for the forseeable future.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars terrific mastering...engineers take note, February 14, 2002

By 

Elwood Conway "elwoodc" (Frankfort, KY United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fourplay (DVD Audio)

WOW...this DVD-Audio should really be the benchmark for all 5.1 channel remastering. All channels (IF your system is properly calibrated) really sing out, none being too overbearing (like the low frequency channel on Fleet Wood Mac's RUMORS). Of course the members of the group are all master musicians in their soft-jazz pop crossover worlds, so if you like this type of music you will really be pleased. The regular CD sounds great, but this DVD-Audio release is a refreshing eye-opener.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fourplay on DVD Audio is Fantastic !!, January 30, 2004

By 

dakotamoviefan (South Dakota) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fourplay (DVD Audio)

If you like smooth jazz you will need to hear this Fourplay disc on DVD Audio. The DVD Audio format really brings out the clear rythmic, easy listening smooth jazz tones in soft six channel sound. I recently updated my stereo system with a new Yamaha receiver and Paradigm speakers, and this Fourplay DVD Audio makes me glad I did. If you like smooth jazz you should love this DVD-A.