With ‘Silver,’ Fourplay Celebrates 25 Years of Smooth Jazz Stylings

“Silver” commemorates Fourplay’s 25th anniversary by adhering to form. It’s a sleek but relaxed album that highlights the band’s strengths as a rhythm section. So a track like “Sterling” involves a billowing pulse and an aerated melody, while “Aniversario,” by Mr. East, deftly flirts with Brazilian funk. “Quicksilver,” by Chuck Loeb, the group’s current guitarist, features a springy melodic hook over a four-on-the-floor beat.

Beyond the on-the-nose song titles, the album acknowledges band history by way of inclusion: Mr. Ritenour resurfaces on one track, and his initial successor, Larry Carlton, appears on a lite-funk tune called “Silverado.”

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When you contemplate the illustrious career of Harvey Mason, your mind HAS to be blown.  Born and raised in Atlantic City, young Harvey absorbed the vibes of the great musicians THERE – and showed so much promise on drums that he was playing with Duke Ellington and Errol Garner in the 60’s.  Early in his recording career, there he was – up front and center with Blue Note Records. And on Columbia: Please go check out Herbie Hancock and The Headhunters for a refresher course in freshly fused Jazz

The associations that this consummate first-call musician has made through five decades is staggering.  Because, quite simply, HE is.  Nathan East has shared space and stages with The Mase for 25 years or so (Fourplay’s “Silver” just dropped) and he firmly suggests that drummers of ANY note studied Harvey Mason in order to find their own style.  He was THAT distinctive THAT early in his journey.

We dare you to find another legendary drummer who has been involved with more Gold and Platinum recording sessions than our guest.  Awards, accolades, nods from NARAS and “Modern Drummer.”  Over 150 motion picture soundtracks.  A regular fixture at the Oscars each year.  And that long relationship with Fourplay cannot be stressed enough.  When you’re with a successful musical unit for 25 years, that’s cause for celebration!

As bandmates Nathan, Chuck Loeb, Bob James, and Harvey prepare for a holiday run at the Blue Note in New York, our friend wanted to… CONTINUE READING HERE…