With X, the smooth jazz supergroup Fourplay around keyboardist Bob James, guitarist Larry Carlton, bassist Nathan East and drummer Harvey Mason has already delivered their tenth CD. Seasoned fans who have followed the individual musicians since the 1970s will discover few surprises, but that is not the intention of this band. Fourplay delivers solid smooth jazz with hints of soft rock according to
… a proven recipe. The only surprise comes from Michael McDonald's bombastic vocals in Steve Winwood's version of My Love's Leavin '. The sound of Fourplay is still largely determined by the playing and the way of composing that Bob James first introduced on the legendary CTI label over thirty-five years ago and later cultivated on his own Tappan Zee label. Just like previous CDs, the strongest songs on X can be found at the beginning and then slowly ripple to the end. (AD)more
