Journey (RCA)
Fourplay
Released June 22, 2004
Grammy Nominee Best Contemporary Jazz Album 2005
YouTube:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lXE4_I5m2L4p43r3t1pPzu0Ab-ra3pr68
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/album/3O6pouh9bYPTnzzpl1ssPI?si=a3mq9__ySiex5h65h6mOQg&dl_branch=1
About:
In 1997, Lee Ritenour left the group and Fourplay chose Larry Carlton as his replacement. Grammy-nominated supergroup Fourplay has enjoyed consistent artistic and commercial success by grafting elements of R&B and pop to their unwavering jazz foundations. In a span of twenty years and eleven albums, the quartet has continued to explore the limitless dimensions and permutations of jazz while at the same time appealing to a broad mainstream audience. Journey, the eighth studio album by Fourplay, is a laid-back affair, but complex at the same time. Consistent with Fourplay’s eclectic philosophy, Journey incorporates a range of stylistic elements – as evidenced by such high points as the delicate cover of the 1993 Sting hit “Fields of Gold” and the Mason bossa nova flavored “Rozil.”
Track Listing:
1. Fields of Gold (Sting) 5:40
2. Play Around It (Nathan East) 5:04
3. From Day One (Bob James) 5:54
4. Journey (Nathan East) 3:27
5. Rozil (Harvey Mason, Sr.) 5:29
6. Cool Train (Larry Carlton) 5:31
7. Avalabop (Bob James) 6:09
8. The Firehouse Chill (Nathan East) 5:36
9. Departure (Bob James) 5:16
10. 147 4th St. (Larry Carlton) 5:49
Personnel:
Bob James: piano
Larry Carlton: guitar
Nathan East: bass and vocals
Harvey Mason: drums
Bikki Johnson: background vocals and shaker
Cody “Peyote” Cassiero: DJ
Recorded at Firehouse Recording Studios, Pasadena, California, and Pyramid Sound Recording Studios, Ithaca, New York, by Don Murray
Digital Editing: Ken Freeman
Assistant Engineer: Ed Woolley
Mixing: Moogie Canazio, Don Murray (1, 2, 3, 5-10)
Mastering: Robert Vosgien
Art Direction: Richard Thomas Jennings
Cover Artwork: Bob James
Photography: Jun Sato
Produced by Fourplay, Marcel East
Review:
Fourplay has always been misunderstood by many jazz critics, who misinterpret the band’s easygoing groove as background music. But while Fourplay has always remained true to its name—with seductive rhythms to get you in the mood—on its new CD, its seventh in thirteen years, more than ever the band combines those seductive sounds with some real playing that fans can feast on. It’s no surprise that Fourplay puts the talents of its leaders out front, since the band boasts the talents of superstars Larry Carlton on guitar, Bob James on piano, Nathan East on bass and Harvey Mason on drums.
Journey includes nine original songs and one cover, Sting’s “Fields of Gold,” which opens the CD and substitutes Carlton’s acoustic guitar for Sting’s vocals. Carlton gets a workout over a—yes—seductive backdrop. Journey is Fourplay’s “jazziest” CD to date, and this is reflected in songs such as “147 4th St.” and “Departure,” both of which showcase James’ jazz piano playing and the improvisational nature of the recording. It’s all done in Fourplay style, however, so longtime fans will no doubt embrace the jazzy turn of events.
There are some classic Fourplay moments: “Rozil” is a quiet number with vocalese; “Cool Train” throws out a shuffle beat and a bass lead by East; and “From Day One” has a surprising twist about three-quarters of the way through; just when you think it’s over, the band comes back for about two more minutes in a new musical direction. And East lends his vocal talents to “Play Around It” and the title track, “Journey,” which also features Bikki Johnson on background vocals and shaker.
Not as consistently good as other Fourplay efforts, but this one is a Journey worth taking.
Brian Soergel (All About Jazz)
