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‘Esprit de Four’ moves to #2 on Jazz Charts!
The Legendary Bob James Breaks It Down with Coffee Talk Jazz
Fourplay is Spreading across the Land…
On a visit to Chiang Mai, one could end up at the Airport Central Plaza. The Plaza is a 5 story mall with virtually everything one can imagine.
Soul Tracks the pulse of ‘Esprit de Four’
Esprit De Four, the 12th release by the jazz quartet Fourplay, is a quiet and confident recording. The confidence can be viewed in light of the fact that pianist Bob James, drummer Harvey Mason, bassist/vocalist Nathan East and guitarist Chuck Loeb never seem to feel the need to raise the volume of their music to compete with performers who often feel the need to scream. The members of this quartet go through the tracks on Esprit De Four with the confidence that the virtuosity and creativity of their musicianship and the quality of their compositions speak plenty loud enough.
From the sensual falsetto of East’s vocal on the softly swinging “All I Wanna Do,” to atmospheric “Venus” and the sweeping guitar and piano solos on “Logic of Love,” Esprit De Four is a friendly and intimate piece of art. Even faster tracks such as “Firefly” and “Sonnymoon” have a delicacy to them that places an emphasis on the interplay between the musicians. “Firefly” finds Mason using his funk background to set the table for his band mates to conduct a musical conversation – note the back and forth between East on bass and James on keys midway through the cut. Next, guitarist Loeb and James engage in a musical duel.
Fourplay has been most noted for its balladry going back to the El DeBarge-led cover of “After the Dance” on the quartet’s 1991 debut record. The group keeps that tradition going with “All I Wanna Do,” with East handling the vocals. This cut, which finds East singing about his wish to spend time alone with the object of his desire, captures the cozy feel that permeates Esprit De Four.
Individually, James, East, Loeb and Mason bring their stellar reputations to any project. These four artists have nothing to prove. The ironic thing about artists who have nothing to prove is that in their quiet confidence they can prove so much. And with each performance the members of Fourplay remind fans of the reasons for their incredible staying power. Recommended.
‘Esprit de Four’ is #1!
“Esprit de Four” World Release! Read what People are Saying…
“If there is any one thing that defines Fourplay, besides being one of the most consistent and extraordinarily talented groups ever to grace the contemporary jazz scene, it is that the quartet has loads of class and, as the driving catalyst for one of the tracks on this newest album, Esprit de Four, demonstrates, compassion. The referenced track is ‘Put Our Hearts Together’ and is inspired by and dedicated to the March 11, 2011, Japanese earthquake and tsunami victims. Actually, there are two tracks—the instrumental and the vocal versions of the same tune. It is the group’s collective voice that should call to all of us to remember that we in America are not alone as victims of tragedies. All over the world, we are truly all in this together…A beautifully arranged album that is unmistakably all jazz in its finest form.”
The Smooth Jazz Ride
“If thirteen is lucky for some then all those who appreciate the enduring magic of the fabulous Fourplay will hit the jackpot with the band’s thirteenth CD, Esprit De Four which will be released September 18 on Heads Up International, a division of Concord Music Group. In keeping with what has gone before the essence of Esprit De Four is in the way, both individually and collectively, the players expertly interpret their own immaculate compositions and with writing credits shared around between band members Chuck Loeb, Bob James, Nathan East, and Harvey Mason, the album feels very much like a delicious throwback to the nineties and the early days of Fourplay.”
Smooth Jazz Therapy
“Premier smooth jazz outfit Fourplay have been in business since 1991 when keyboard doyen Bob James set to work with drummer Harvey Mason, bassist Nathan East and guitarist Lee Ritenour to craft an album which successfully blended jazz with soul, R&B and pop. The success of that self-titled set encouraged the foursome to continue and though there’s been the odd personnel change (Larry Carlton replaced Ritenour in the mid 90s and Chuck Loeb replaced Carlton in 2010) the Fourplay sound remains essentially the same.”
SoulandJazzandFunk
“…there’s a lot to be said for a professional guided tour like this. Well done, as always.”
Midwest Record
The Legendary Bob James Breaks It Down with Coffee Talk Jazz
Keyboardist, arranger, and producer Bob James has played a major role in establishing the smooth jazz genre.
“Angela”, the instrumental theme from the sitcom Taxi, is probably Bob James’ most well-known work to date. James is also a founding member of the Grammy winning jazz group Fourplay. … Continue reading