The now legendary smooth jazz band Fourplay is back with fresh music to delight old fans and cultivate a new audience.
The lineup is Bob James (p), Nathan East (b, vocals), Harvey Mason (d) and Chuck Loeb (g). Each of them contributes at least one composition to the set.
Their proven formula includes two vocal tracks. “Put Our Hearts Together” features Seiko Matsuda singing a song written by Bob and Hilary James in their support of the Japanese tragic Earthquake. “All I Wanna Do” is another dimension of East on the mic.
Other highlights include “Firefly” with East scatting along and “Sonnymoon” with fleeting leads by Loeb and James. Esprit De Four is a pleasant extension of Fourplay’s legacy in contemporary jazz.