Customer Reviews

Fourplay

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Anything made by this group deserves to be heard.
All the musicians alone are great stars of the music industry. Everyone has his own style wich combined makes Fourplay a Master's Group. I always buy CDs from them even without listening first. Not one has made me change my mind about it.

Well created-smooth and mellow for quiet evenings; a must buy for jazz fans.

I am Very happy with the quality of this DVD-Audio.

The DVD side offers 5.1 music (So sweet)

I have a High End System set-up in (Denon's Flagship)
I use pure silver cables with Merlins Filter and plug all silver too. All my cables are QED. I have a B&W CDM9 and M&K dual Sub, and much more!

* I have SACD which I would rate 9.5/10 for pure quality.
* I have DVD-Audio, which I would rate 9.8/10 for pure quality.
* I would also rate 2 channel set up correctly as being 9.9/10 for pure quality.
* I would rate New Dual Disc music 2/10 for pure quality


BUY this!!!

You will benefit and enjoy the quality of this album in DVD-Audio music...

Buy SACD or DVD-Audio or both. 10 times better!

Whoever's idea it was to bring Ritenour and James together, it was a master stroke. For me, neither had quite fulfilled their potential as solo artists. Each had written some great tracks but never seemed to pull enough of them together at the same time to make a great solo album. Ritenour in particular had done some fantastic work in the 70s with Steely Dan, with Al Johnson on 'Yesterday's Dreams' and on his own 'Captain's Journey' album. Bob James I didn't know so well, but he had written some incredibly catchy tunes -- e.g. for the 'Taxi' TV series and the 'Spunky' track on his 'Hands Down' LP.

This album is pure gold from start to finish. It's seduction music, it's background music, it's driving music, it's dinner jazz, and it's extremely well arranged and recorded. It is not the stuff to inspire rebellions and change governments, but that's not the market it's aimed at. I particularly love the tone Ritenour gets from his guitar. Ritenour and James bring a discipline and creativity to each other's compositions which means there is not a single duff track here. And some of the best tracks are written by the rhythm section, Messrs East and Mason!

If you are after dinner jazz, you cannot go wrong with this album or the follow-up, 'Between the Sheets'.

Unlike many "jazz" listeners today, I find most of what I hear on these so-called smooth jazz stations to be spineless, lifeless glorified muzak (ie "elevator music"). Sorry for any offense, but the vast majority of it I cannot stand, as just it's empty calories, musically speaking.

However, although this album (CD, whatever) fits into the smooth jazz category, it is, unlike many of its imitators, a quality piece of work. It has easy-listening feel that smooth jazz lovers are so into, but also has superior workmanship and is well worth the buy. I could live without El Debarge (wtfo?) on the vocal track, but even that track isn't bad. In fact, that's one of the good things about the CD: I don't think there's one really 'bad' track on the whole thing.

So whether you're a big smooth jazz fan or a no-kidding jazz fan looking for an easy-going CD that doesn't necessarily demand your listening attention as much, this is an excellent choice and still their best work. Buy it.

This is the CD that defines "Smooth Jazz". No two talents, other than James and Ritenour, with two stellar supporting rhythm men, Nathan East, and Harvey Mason, could have created such a "smooth and timeless classic" as this CD. The melody, tightness, and flow of each track represents the very essence and definition of "smooth jazz" which, to me, means "everyone's choice" for jazz music listening. If you can't listen and appreciate this CD, you can't appreciate "mother nature", herself. In the "Smooth Jazz" category, this CD ranks with Miles' "Kind of Blue" Album. Jazz purists and critics know where that album ranks in the history of jazz. Fourplay reaches that level.

This album was my first DVD Audio purchase and I will never go back to CD. If you are into smooth jazz this is the DVD for you. After a long day at work this music will relax you like a warm bubble bath. I didn't really know Fourplay before, but the talent and their hot fingers will remind you that there are still good musicians out there. They could have rocked a bit more for my taste but when I need good music while reading a good book. I pop up Fourplay into my 5.1 system.
Rock On.