Fourplay: Energy

For nearly two decades, the contemporary jazz quartet known as Fourplay has enjoyed consistent artistic and commercial success by grafting elements of R&B, pop and a variety of other sounds to their unwavering jazz foundations. In the course of ten recordings - five of which have climbed to the top of Billboard's Contemporary Jazz Album charts - the supergroup has continued to explore the limitless dimensions and permutations of jazz while at the same time appealing to a broad mainstream audience. When keyboardist Bob James, bassist Nathan East, guitarist Larry Carlton and drummer Harvey Mason come together as Fourplay, the result is an undeniable energy that perpetuates itself. Their new recording blends a variety of sounds - R&B, funk, African and more - to Fourplay's unwavering jazz foundations. In addition to two vocal tracks by East - a founder member since the band's inception in 1990 - the album also features a vocal track by Esperanza Spalding, the upright bassist, composer and vocalist who has recently taken the jazz world by storm with her self-titled debut earlier this year. Personnel: Bob James - (keyboards), Larry Carlton - (guitar), Nathan East - (bass & vocals - 4,10), Harvey Mason - (drums), Esperanza Spalding - (vocals - 6)