Bob James : Fourplay - 4 :Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards

Bob James & Fourplay - 4
Released 1998

1. Still The One
2. Little Foxes
3. Sexual Healing
4. Charmed, I'm Sure
5. Someone To Love
6. Rio Rush
7. Piece Of My Heart
8. Slow Slide
9. Vest Pocket
10. Swamp Jazz

Fourplay: Nathan East (vocals, bass); Bob James (keyboards); Larry Carlton (guitar); Harvey Mason (drums). Additional personnel: El DeBarge, Shanice Wilson, Kevyn Lettau, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Heather Mason, Michelle Pillar-Carlton, James DeBarge (vocals). Lite jazz, smooth jazz, call it what you will. If the audiophile-oriented instrumental sounds of such artists as Bob James and Larry Carlton are your cup of tea, then this supergroup will be right up your alley. Fourplay combines the talents of James, Carlton and studio vets Nathan East and Harvey Mason, and together they produce a sound that is more than the sum of its parts. The accent here is on smooth, flowing R&B-inflected jazz (or is that jazz-inflected R&B?), as exemplified by the opening cut "Still The One," which features guest vocals by Heather Mason. Things soon take off in other directions though, as Fourplay works in a bit of funk here, a little world music rhythm there, spicing up the proceedings nicely. For a little variety in between the instrumentals, there are a number of guest vocalists, including El DeBarge and R&B guru Babyface himself.

"Bob James made an indelible impression on me first with his incredible work on the CTI Label, his own solo records and also his arrangements for other artists. A Bob James record always had plenty of room in the track for each instrument and his work always showed a wonderful flair for melody and thematic development. He excels in so many different areas as an orchestral arranger or in a small ensemble, not to mention his completely unique sound as a pianist and soloist. He was also a pioneer in the use of synthesizers in jazz as well as pushing the envelope sonically. His records always sound amazing. Here's to a great songwriter, innovator and most of all to me, an inspiration."- Jeff Lorber

"Bob James never ceases to amaze me. When I first met him he was sitting in front of a piano not looking at all like a pianist, so I didn't expect very much from him. Especially since he was about to accompany one of the greatest singers of our time, Ms. Sarah Vaughn, but when his hands touched that piano his brilliance became clearly evident. His musicianship reflected both his jazz and classical experience. He enhanced her performances beautifully. I later found him to be an incredible arranger who had a flair for pop music mixed with jazz and R&B. His recordings as a stable mate on CTI Records reflected a very listenable modern approach to jazz. As a producer he has created records that started a trend that transcends its time. As a member of the group Fourplay, Bob has once again shown his unlimited ability to adapt to any musical environment.

It is an honour to recognize Bob James as the first recipient of the George
Benson Lifetime Achievement Award." - George Benson