Customer Reviews

X

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Fourplay is the quintessential Smooth Jazz super group. The precision and impeccable execution with which they perform their music is a marvel to behold, both on disc and in person. X is an extraordinary album, in that it encompasses the signature sounds of Bob James, Larry Carlton, Nathan East, and Harvey Mason with a dynamic and freshness that's at once timely and timeless. Since I really don't need to tell you anything more about these guys than you already know, let's run the tracks down. "Turnabout" - Classic Bob James... elegant, tasteful, robust; "Cinnamon Sugar" - Tasty, tasty, tasty, and my bet for the next single... Larry upfront and shining; "Eastern Sky" - Ethereal and powerful... glistening with synth and Nathan's fretless bass work and wordless vocals; "Kid Zero" - Harvey wrote this gem...engaging, signature ensemble Fourplay, with lots of Nathan on bass and scatting; "My Love's Leavin'" - Huge first single, featuring Michael McDonald's awesome new spin on the Steve Winwood classic; "Screenplay" - Very hip, very sophisticated and complex, with great solos from Bob and Larry; "Twilight Touch" - A languid, sensual ballad...gorgeous melody, solos from Larry, Nathan and Bob with a sultry synth backing; "Be My Lover" - Duet vocal refrain from Larry's wife, Michelle Pillar and Nathan highlights another potential hit single; "Sunday Morning" - Larry's guitar work gives this gentle bluesy ballad a captivating, down home feel. So, there you have it...the stunning new Fourplay - X. Smooth Jazz just does not get any better than this. Period! ~SCOTT O'BRIEN

This is a welcome return to form by the smooth jazz quartet comprising Bob James on keys, Harvey Mason on drums, Larry Carlton on guitar and Nathan East on bass. I've been a Fourplay fan from the start but found the last two albums rather iffy to say the least. Heartfelt was saved, for me, by a mere three songs: "Tally Ho!", "Goin' Back Home" and "Making Up". The only song I really liked on Journey was "Rozil".

But this, album number 10, is a complete and solid set. I particularly like the Jaco-esque stuff Nathan East does on "Eastern Sky" and "Twilight Touch", and some of Harvey Mason's drum patterns are particularly exciting. I was sure they were using a drum machine until a couple more listens - and a throrough scanning of the inner-sleeve notes - persuaded me otherwise. I still wonder though.

They are trying new things but equally trying not to stray too far from their comfort zone, so on the one hand, the trademark Fourplay sound is still intact (which I think is a good thing) but then on the other, like an earlier reviewer remarked, it would be so much better to see them be even more brave, daring and adventurous.

Michael McDonald's appearance on "My Love Is Leavin'" is pure class (now that's a REAL singer!) and "Sunday Morning" is pure bliss. So much so that like most good songs I enjoy, I thought it ended way too soon.

Maybe it's unfair to compare Fourplay's work now with their earlier stuff after all, Lee Ritenour is a very different guitarist to Larry Carlton. Besides, should it really be about the guitarist? This is a foursome after all and there's also a keyboardist, a bassist and a drummer. The replacement of one member shouldn't really make that much of a difference.

But it did. I have to tell my own truth: To me, this is album ALMOST as good as their earlier stuff...

But not quite.

Bob James - the mastermind of smooth Jazz. "H", "Touchdown", "Grand Piano Cannyon". Eternal pieces of Art. Brave and thoughtful new directions in Jazz. We owe him a lot.
But the recent releases of Fourplay -including "X" - don't meet my expectations at all: predictable, repetitive, overproduced Computer-music.
The typical Fourplay sound squeezed out like a lemon in another CD.
Larrys guitar playing takes a nice direction on "Tournabout" - but then the song falls back again to old routine. "Screenplay" is a good one (one of two songs that were done by Bob). The rest, hmm... some nice solos constricted in predictabiltiy.
Don't get me wrong, I like all of the guys. Every single member of the group has done great things in the past.
So - a bit more breveness, Yes Please!

I was very eager to buy this CD. I have the CD Elixir and I love it. I saw and heard fourplay in Atlanta and they were awesome. However, this CD has too much computerized music. Too many sythensized voices. Very predictable. In my estimation, a bunch of tracks to play on smooth jazz radio stations or in an elevator as mindless filler. I didn't care for this one at all.

(3 & 1/2 stars) This new fourplay disc is called "X," as in roman numeral ten, I guess. Can it really be ten CDs already? (Actually it isn't... they must be counting their Best Of album too. I believe X is only their ninth studio album.) The musicianship is always excellent on fourplay releases, and X sparkles with superb playing from all four guys. At times it drifts a little too far toward the blander side of Smooth Jazz (i.e., near elevator music) -- the reason for my slightly lower rating. "Twilight Touch" and "My Love's Leavin'" are a couple of tunes that cross over that too-smooth boundary. Elsewhere, when that threatens to happen, as with the cheesy synths on "Turnabout," the song is lifted back up by a lively melody and/or some inspired soloing from one of the quartet. I've always loved Larry Carlton's guitar sounds, and there's a lot of that good stuff to soak in on X. Overall, the CD has more up than down, but it's not a clean winner.

I like this new Fourplay CD a great deal..(X) Probably the reason I do is that Larry Carlton has been given a little more room to stretch out and play. And..he can play. Also, Larry's gift for constructing tasteful melodies is obvious.. Buy this CD.. You will enjoy it.

With each subsequent CD, it seems like Fourplay gets better and better. 'Turnabout' brings back memories of the first few CDs they released when they had Lee Ritenour on guitar. Even Steve Winwood would have to admit that Michael McDonald gives new texture to 'My Love's Leavin'. This band has been making great music since 1991. If this is your first Fourplay purchase, it will make you want to buy each of the previous nine CDs; even the offering of Christmas music!

The more I listen to this album, the more I love it. What's sounds somewhat familiar even formulaic at first becomes totally captivating on further listening. Like a girl you thought was nothing special at first glance but then becomes beautiful as you get to know the complete package. This is one cooooool CD.

I am sure that this CD is #9 since one of the CD's is a best of, Be that as it may, this CD is very good. I think it is one of the best Fourplay has come out with. I really look forward to the next one to see if they can top this one. Buy this one !!! You won't be sorry.

YES! They're back on track! (With Journey being the odd one out). Superb!