Track Listing

1. Fields Of Gold
2. Play Around It
3. From Day One
4. Journey
5. Rozil
6. Cool Train
7. Avalabop
8. The Firehouse Chill
9. Departure
10. 147 4th St

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #37319 in Music
• Released on: 2004-06-22
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .23 pounds

Amazon.com
Pianist Bob James and drummer Harvey Mason have gotten their bebop yearnings out of their systems through solo albums, and guitarist Larry Carton took care of his blues craving with an album of his own. Now, they reunite their smooth-jazz supergroup leaving bassist Nathan East with plenty to do. East dominates the first half of this album with vocal work on the first five tracks. While Carlton leads the Sting cover, "Fields of Gold," it is the opening riff, East's vocals on the bridge, and his signature bass runs at the end that make it attractive. East hip-hops the proceedings on his composition "Play Around It" and sings passionately enough on the title track to warrant kudos from his other employer, Eric Clapton. The other half of the record is a more adventurous group effort featuring longer lines and more intense soloing, particularly on James's "Avalabop" and Carlton's "Cool Train." --Mark Ruffin

Customer Reviews

One Of Their Best
This is the strongest release by Fourplay in quite some time. After the experimental effort on their prior release, Heartfelt, Fourplay returns to the familiar blend of harmonies and rhythms that their fans have adored for so many years.

Of note are eight standout performances by the group (Fields of Gold, From Day One, Rozil, Cool Train, Avalabop, The Firehouse Chill, Departure, and 147 4th Street). My favorites are From Day One and Rozil.

If you have been listening to Bob James over the years, you will recognize From Day One as a Bob James composition. It's well structured, with set pieces for each artist and a nicely developed signature melody for the lead-in and the bridge. It has a long, slow and soft rideout with Bob on the keyboards clearly in the lead throughout. Very nicely done!

Rozil is clearly inspired by the music of Jobim, and perhaps more recently by Torcuato Mariano. It's smooth, silky, and reminds me of pleasant evenings in Rio. Nathan East's singing along with his melody on the bass is superb!

If you have chance to see Fourplay on tour in late Summer and into Fall, don't miss the opportunity. If most of the tunes on this CD are on the playlist for their live show, it should not be missed!

Jazz Fan
This is a good solid C- Jazz CD. The track Journey could have been left out. The vocals are rushed, however the band has calmed down since Lee's departure, and Larry is now in sync with the rest of the group.

But really jazz is music of expression and emotion. It is not pop and it shouldn't come out as a cheesy remarket of previous tunes and styles; Fourplay isn't about that and neither is jazz. This is not elevator music. It's great C-Jazz and the Grammy proves it! This new CD stands out on its own merit and is definitely a good buy.

Call it what you like but Fourplay is still a great band.
Call it elevator music, easy listening, Fourplay still delivers a great CD. I don't think people understand the factors of a band of this calibre to put out albums like this. The factors such as creative juices, mind set, availability of the musicians etc. Whatever the case there are musicians on this CD playing at a higher calibre you and I can ever play at. If you didn't get your monies worth that's your problem. You should sample the songs before purchasing. You can't expect any band to put out "knock your socks off CD" every time they record. One thing you are guaranteed about Fourplay, it will be a well played,recorded, creative CD. I threw on the Cd, grab a good book too read and just loved it. I stopped during Journey with it's neat hooks and 147th 4th st. that reminds me of a past lover. Music is there for us to use at our own deposal and if we sit and wait for it to make us jump hoops then how can we be a lover of music and creator of dreams and fatansies of music through our hearts. If I am in the Super market and hear any of this CD I will be totally enjoying it! Mick Jagger said years ago, "You know you made it when you hear your tunes in an elavator"