Review - Fourplay - Energy Heads Up International
Oct. 8, 2008 - I was never much good at physics during my school years as I would have rather been jamming to my favorite cassettes or hanging with my friends. As I understand it when any two powerful forces come together there is a type of ‘Energy” that is formed and since 1990 Fourplay has blessed the Jazz world with some incredible music.

Now they are back with their Heads Up International debut CD “Energy.” The group member’s bios read like a who’s who of Jazz, with Bob James, Larry Carlton, Nathan East and Harvey Mason once again giving us a disc filled with some impressive and quality music.

Let’s look at the many highlights. From the opening notes from Larry Carlton’s guitar and Harvey Mason’s percussion on ‘Fortune Teller’ the “Energy” and vibe is positive and smooth. Excellent interplay between Carlton’s guitar and keyboards from Bob James over the tight pocket from Nathan East’s bass and Harvey Masons’ drums make this a great mid tempo jam and a perfect track to open the disc. Up next is one of my two personal favorites on the disc ‘The Whistler’, a truly wonderful piece of music! 

A unforgettable track with a catchy keyboard line over the unmistakable constant groove from Nathan and Harvey leading into some extremely tasty guitar from Larry Carlton and you have a track begging for airplay and a front windshield to cruise through your day. It is Smooth Jazz at its’ finest. ‘Ultralight’ features great interplay between Bob James keyboards with Larry Carlton’s guitar for a result that should become a group standard and hopefully, a concert favorite. Larry’s guitar here is soulful and at times even has a blues feel to it. Another disc highlight is next with ‘Cape-town’ where the vibe is exotic and freeing, while the story is told of a journey to South Africa two generations ago to do missionary work by Nathan East’s and his cousins’ grandparents.

The accompanying music is indeed a ticket to take a journey within oneself with some excellent keyboards and percussion that really add to Nathan’s smooth vocal work. Up next is the track that should make radio in multiple formats. ‘Prelude For Lovers’ featuring guest vocal performance from Esperanza Spalding that sets and fits the mood over another stellar musical bed from the foursome. It is a mood setter. ‘Look Both Ways’ is my other favorite on the disc and is one of the biggest surprises on the disc. Opening with another smooth groove leading into stylish solos from Nathan and Larry before an unexpected and magical jam between Bob James’ blazing piano solo and Harvey Mason’s swinging percussion and drums. It is simply pure musical “Energy” and maybe one of their crowning pieces as a group! ‘Argentina’ is a laid back groove made for those days that you really don’t want to do much of anything except chill. Nice subtle interplay from Larry Carlton’s guitar and Bob James’ keyboards set a great vibe for just that kind of laid back day and another memorable track. ‘Comfort Zone’ is another highlight on a disc filled with many.

The ultra coolness oozes off this one with a late night feel to it. A riveting bass line leads you through some impressive guitar and keyboard soloing and all paced by Harvey Mason’s flawless work on the drum kit. It is another track where there is magic happening between the foursome and will put you into your own comfort zone groove. The disc ends with another pleasant surprise and the track ‘Sebastian’ with some classical-like piano from Bob James over a laid back yet intricate musical bed that is the perfect way to end the disc on.

Summing it up when you have four World Class Musicians the expectations are going to be high, and on “Energy” Bob James, Larry Carlton, Nathan East and Harvey Mason have delivered one of their strongest releases in a few years. The “Energy” between the foursome flows off the disc and becomes a source of pure musical enjoyment that we can all tap into. By Paul Ericson – email Paul at rawkdog@sbcglobal.net