Fourplay - Let`s Touch the Sky

Artist:

Fourplay

UPC:

888072320307

Description:

Personnel: Nathan East (vocals); Chuck Loeb (guitar); Bob James (keyboards); Harvey Mason, Sr. (drums, percussion).
Recording information: Castle Oaks Studio, Calabasas, CA; Mason Soudn, North Hollywood, CA.
Photographer: Sandrine Lee.
It would be incorrect to say that not much has changed Fourplay`s sound since they began recording together in 1991. That said, while these musicians -- who were all successful artists individually -- have continued to evolve, as a group they`ve stayed remarkably focused on what they do best: play elegant, seamless, contemporary jazz with a light sexy groove. Keyboardist Bob James, drummer/percussionist Harvey Mason, and bassist Nathan East have remained constants but guitarists have come and gone: Chuck Loeb replaces Larry Carlton (who originally replaced founding member Lee Ritenour) for Let`s Touch the Sky, Fourplay`s 11th recording. James` title track composition kicks things off with a breezy Brazilian groove before strings paint an airy, almost cinematic backdrop. Loeb`s "3rd Degree" ups the funk quotient with some hard-grooving guitar, ever-present rolling breaks by Mason, and some knotty synth work. His "Above and Beyond" provides the kind of guitar-led group interactive euphoria usually associated with Pat Metheny. Mason`s "Pineapple Getaway" has irresistible synth and Rhodes work by James, but it`s Loeb`s stellar guitar work that makes this Caribbean-flavored groover one of the set`s finest moments. "Gentle Giant," written by James in memory of Hank Jones, features a stellar upright bass solo from East. There are three vocal tracks on the set as well. East takes one on his "I`ll Still Be Lovin` You," and Anita Baker lays down a fine one on her reading of "You`re My Thrill." The most remarkable one is the deeply soulful, warmly expressive take of Cecil and Linda Womack`s "Love TKO" by Ruben Studdard, with some excellent atmospherics provided by James and Mason. Fourplay`s formulaic approach is firmly intact on Let`s Touch the Sky and the band is firing on all cylinder, making this a fine entry in 2010`s contemporary jazz oeuvre. ~ Thom Jurek

Track Listing:

DISC 1

1. Let`s Touch the Sky
2. 3rd Degree
3. More Than a Dream
4. Pineapple Getaway
5. I`ll Still Be Lovin` You
6. Gentle Giant (For Hank)
7. Night in Rio, A
8. Love TKO
9. Above and Beyond
10. Golden Faders
11. You`re My Thrill - (featuring Anita Baker)

Album Information

Release Date:

10/25/2010

Type:

Performer

Genre:

Jazz Instrument

Subgenre:

Smooth

Label:

Telarc Distribution

Producer:

Fourplay

Catalog Number:

HUI 3203002

Original Release Year:

2010

# of Discs:

1

Studio/Live:

Studio

Mono/Stereo:

Stereo

Runtime:

62 : 32

Guest Artist:

Nathan East; Ruben Studdard; Anita Baker

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