Yes Please

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When Larry Carlton replaced Lee Ritenour in Fourplay's guitar chair in 1998, the big question was, what difference would he make. Would his more aggressive leanings toward blues and rock add the kind of punch that would keep Fourplay progressing beyond their easygoing roots? Their first two recordings with Carlton, 4 and Snowbound, offered hints of this direction, but Yes, Please! completes the transition, showing off a much more rambunctious ensemble for the new millennium. Typical tunes begin with Carlton going the subtle route (more in line with what Ritenour did) before exploding into feisty improvisations. "Free Range" starts as an elegant duet with his high tones blending seamlessly into Bob James's shimmering, laid-back keys over a gently simmering Nathan East-Harvey Mason groove. Then Carlton rises above the fray for a crackling, echoing solo that kicks the rhythm of the others up a notch. "Blues Force" has a hypnotic and seductive bluesy groove (led by James's keys) that acts as a bed for L.C. to play it crisp, then hard toward the end. James acts as softhearted harmonic foil for Carlton before taking a lively solo. What makes Carlton the perfect Fourplayer is his sweet, romantic, and acoustic side, which allows him to lead "Go with Your Heart" into terrain reminiscent of the vintage Fourplay sound. But even here, he waxes snappy on occasion, driving his bandmates up a notch. --Jonathan Widran

Product Description

With gold albums and being named Best Group at the First Annual Smooth Jazz Awards in 2000, Fourplay is a certified NAC and jazz supergroup. Featuring four of the most popular and respected players on the scene - keyboardist Bob James, guitarist Larry Carlton, bassist Nathan East and drummer Harvey Mason.

Review

When Larry Carlton replaced Lee Ritenour as Fourplay's guitarist in 1998, the big question was: Will his more aggressive leanings toward blues and rock add the kind of punch that will keep Fourplay progressing beyond its easygoing roots? The group's first two albums recorded with Carlton hinted at an answer, but Yes, Please! is more definitive, showing off a rambunctious ensemble for the new millennium.
Typical tunes begin with Carlton going the subtle route - à la Ritenour - before exploding into feisty improvisations. A fine example is "Free Range," which begins with Carlton's high tones blending elegantly and seamlessly with Bob James' shimmering, laid-back work on the keys. In short order, however, Carlton rises above the gentle, rhythmic groove of bassist Nathan East and drummer Harvey Mason for a crackling, echoing solo that kicks the rhythm up a notch.
But what makes Carlton the perfect Fourplayer is his sweet acoustic side, which allows him to lead songs such as "Go With Your Heart" into terrain reminiscent of the vintage Fourplay sound. Even there, however, Carlton waxes snappy on occasion, always driving his bandmates higher.
--- Jonathan Widran, JAZZIZ Magazine Copyright © 2000, Milor Entertainment, Inc. -- From Jazziz, ISBN13: B00004WF26 ISBN10: B00004WF26 Material Type: audioCD