Fourplay - Esprit de Four Audio CD

Bonus Track; Japan


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Esprit de Four songs Product Information

Esprit de Four album Product Description

Esprit de Four album by Fourplay was released Sep 11, 2012 on the Universal Japan label. For over 20 years, the collaborative ensemble Fourplay has grown ever more cohesive in its approach to modern jazz. Esprit de Four CD music When the three founding members added guitarist Chuck Loeb to the lineup for 2010's Let's Touch the Sky, the group attained perfect dialogic balance. Esprit de Four music CDs Fourplay had made fine records before, but the guitar chair always felt either under- or overutilized. Esprit de Four songs Though the long established leader, Loeb's writing, arranging, and playing are more ensemble-oriented than either of his two predecessors, Lee Ritenour or Larry Carlton. On Esprit de Four, Fourplay display themselves as among the most intuitive, forward-thinking, and focused groups in modern jazz -- yet remain very accessible. Esprit de Four album While their aesthetic has been and remains contemporary, they employ classic approaches to composition, melodic improvisation, rhythm, and harmony. Esprit de Four CD music Loeb's "December's Dream" kicks things off. It's an airy composition that weaves together folk, pop, jazz, and even Americana. The shimmering cymbal work of Harvey Mason highlights the interplay between Bob James and Loeb, while Nathan East's bassline instills the melody with an irresistible groove. On "Sonnymoon," his bassline is deeply funky, preceding a fine exchange between the rich colors in Loeb's chords and the warm texture of James' electric piano, all given weight by Mason's trademark breaks. The latter's title tune presents a Brazilian groove illustrated by Loeb's acoustic guitar atop unobtrusive background synth and organic percussion. James supports with fills and subtle timbral voicings. Vocals have been prevalent on past Fourplay records, but here they are upfront only on the bluesy nocturnal soul of East's "All I Wanna Do," and the closer, a vocal version of James' "Put Our Hearts Together," sung beautifully by Seiko Matsuda. The rest are used as wordless textures, like another instrument in the mix. The tune, originally an instrumental, was written by James for a concert in Japan right after the earthquake and tsunami. His daughter Hilary heard it and asked to write lyrics for an abbreviated version. Both are present here. The instrumental commences as a haunting, pop-classical piece that gives way to a weave of lyric conversation that eventually becomes a swinging post-bop jam with an excellent solo by James. Esprit de Four is a shining example of jazz as a collaborative endeavor; these well-established soloists play as equals in a band that communicates on a level that most groups only dream of. ~ Thom Jurek.

Esprit de Four music CDs Customer Reviews

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fourplay back on track
With Chuck Loeb on guitar fourplay has got new energy (or Esprit if you wish) to make some more wonderfull music after all these good records in the past with Lee and Larry! Good songs on this refreshing new record, a great pleasure to listen too and thank you Harvey for your contribution and specially the title song. Compliments!
By benvv (Amsterdam, The Netherlands)
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Fourplay is one of the best
Another great album from Bob James! Thank You!
By rr5885 (Las Vegas, NV, USA)
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Nothing Special
Keep it in the background. Not as good as some competing bands....
By fredlfox (Tucson)
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worst then the last
Maybe it's because Larry Carlton left but this and the last with Chuck Loeb on I don't know but they miss the mark again. I like Chuck Loeb by himself so far joining Fourplay not so much.
By tadow2531 (San Diego)
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boring tunes
I am a fan of fourplay , i collect all their albums , but this one , no , it sounds like instrumental boring tunes of barbra streisand , matsuko beautiful , she sings like an angel , i will not buy it.
By charly jazz (El Salvador central america)
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Esprit de Four songs Product Details

Label	Universal Japan
Orig Year	2012
CD Universe Part number	8797500
Catalog number	0572881
Discs	1
Release Date	Sep 11, 2012
Studio/Live	Studio
Additional Info	Bonus Track; Japan