Fourplay -][- Espirit De Four – [Heads Up, 2012] –

Tags

Bob James, Chuck Loeb, Harvey Mason, Heads Up International, Nathan East

Fourplay, Espirit De Four

Fourplay -][- Espirit De Four – [Heads Up, 2012] –

Supergroup Fourplay delivers another solid, straight-ahead meets contemporary jazz release. The follow up to 2010’s Let’s Touch the Sky, this is the second album to feature the group s newest member, guitarist Chuck Loeb. Here he joins the all-star lineup of keyboardist Bob James, bassist Nathan East and drummer Harvey Mason, each of whom contribute at least two compositions to the release.

One of the more notable tracks is the Bob James composition Put Our Hearts Together which he wrote for a concert in a region severely impacted by the devastating Japanese tsunami of 2011. It appears as both an instrumental and vocal version on the CD. Japanese pop star Seiko Matsuda lends her voice on this moving tribute. -[Editorial Review | Amazon]-

::: SOURCE: Amazon.com :::

New music by supergroup Fourplay titled ‘Let’s Touch The Sky’ on Heads Up

Tags

Bob James, Chuck Loeb, Harvey Mason, Jazz, Keyboards, Nathan East, Piano

Fourplay (Album Cover not Available)

Sometimes you have to shake things up, push a little farther, reach a little higher – even when you’re a contemporary jazz foursome that’s been operating at the top of its collective game for two decades.

After twenty years and a dozen albums, in an industry that has undergone sweeping transformations in the past decade, Fourplay knows that the only thing that’s certain, in music or any other business, is change. The latest proof of that axiom is the new face in their lineup – that of guitarist Chuck Loeb, who makes his compelling debut with the quartet on Let’s Touch The Sky, the band’s new recording on Heads Up International, a division of Concord Music Group.

Loeb completes the four-man crew that also includes the band’s founding members: keyboardist Bob James, bassist/vocalist Nathan East and drummer/percussionist Harvey Mason. Let’s Touch The Sky also includes stirring performances by guest vocalists Anita Baker and Ruben Studdard.

Jack Lee and Bob James | Botero

Tags

Bob James, Guitar, Jack Lee, Jazz, Keyboards, Piano

Jack Lee and Bob James | Botero – [KT Music (Korea), 2009]

Jack Lee and Bob James - Botero

New Album “BOTERO” by Jack Lee & Bob James Released today in Asia!!

I am so happy to announce the release of my New CD ‘BOTERO’ !! Collaboration CD with the great artist, and friend, Bob James!!!… Also featured on the CD are Nathan East (from Fourplay) on Bass and Vocals and Lewis Pragasam on Drums… and Melvin Davis on Bass on one track!!..

I am very honored to have these great musicians and friends on this CD, and i hope you all myspace friends get to have a chance to check out the music!!

This collection of tunes, really represent my friendship with Bob, and our experiences, and reflection of creative ideas through our musical adventures…

..:: Source: Blogs.MySpace.com/ ::..

Bob James Trio | Take it From The Top

Tags

Bob James, Jazz, Piano

Bob James Trio | Take it From The Top – [Koch Records, 2004] – Music Review | The Weekend Spin

Bob James Trio, Take it From The Top

Many of us was caught off guard by timely introduction of the BJ series on CTI Records, since then I’ve grown to admire the proficiency in the unrivaled voice of Bob James as being a permanent fixture in contemporary jazz community. As you know, due to various label changes over the years he transformed his compositional style to fit the smooth jazz radio format to broaden his appeal. Therefore, in doing so to the dismay of his CTI and Tapanzee fans he attracted a new fanbase with tightly package sound, henceforth his record and concert revenue grew at an impressive rate.

That said, I applaud him for stretching out to revive his acoustic piano work with less profitable offering such as his latest Trio recording on Koch Records called “Take it From The Top.” In a sense, with this type of record James inapt nature proves that his versatile prowess as a player garners him greater respect among his contemporaries. ~ The Urban Flux

The Weekend Spin [Hiromi, Adler, Henderson & James]

Tags

African American, Bob James, Flute, Hiromi, Jazz, Jazz Fusion, Joe Henderson, Keyboards, Marc Adler, Saxophone

Greeting’s and “Happy New Year,” to my fellow jazz enthusiast. We’ve finally began to settle down a bit after a short yet enthralling Christmas break. As we get prepared for the upcoming months hopefully the record industry and artist alike will continue to release new and provocative music. Perhaps, until new music arrives we’ve got a few exciting projects by four of the prolific artist in jazz for the “Weekend Spin.”

Hiromi | Spiral [Jazz-Fusion/Telarc Jazz/2006]

Hiromi, Spiral

Hiromi Uehara may not be a household name but with each succeeding recording she proves herself a sophisticated composer and an astonishing and eclectic pianist. Her style, while incorporating elements from Ellington to Bad Plus, is unique. She criss-crosses stylistic boundries on Spiral, keeping the sound interesting on every track – all originals. With the exception of Return of Kung-Fu World Champion, she stays away from the electronics that were more present in Brain and somewhat in Another Mind. Infact Kung Fu…is the barrier to a 5-star rating. At times, Uehara sounds a bit like Michel Petrucciani when she sticks to the acoustic piano, though she refrains from being as showy as the French great. Tony grey on bass and drummer, Martin Vailhora round out an outstanding trio. ~ Amazon.com

Bob James Trio | Mind Games

Tags

Bob James, Jazz, Piano

The quintessential Bob James, Billy Kilson and James Genus where caught live at the Montreux Jazz Festival 1998 performing “Mind Games.”

Bob James Trio | Mind Games [Vid of The Week] Ironically, embedding of this video was disabled by request. Nevertheless, it’s worth the click to check them out.

Bob James

Heads Up Records debut by Fourplay | Energy [New Music]

Tags

Bob James, Heads Up Records, Jazz, Keyboards, Smooth Jazz

Fourplay

Heads Up International, one of the world’s premier crossover jazz labels and a division of the Concord Music Group, today announced the signing of an exclusive recording agreement with Fourplay, the innovative quartet that has maintained a consistent presence on the cutting edge of contemporary jazz since their inception more than 15 years ago. Fourplay will make their Heads Up debut with a yet-to-be-titled album scheduled for release in summer 2008.

Fourplay, whose current lineup consists of keyboardist Bob James, bassist Nathan East, guitarist Larry Carlton and drummer Harvey Mason, has enjoyed consistent artistic and commercial success by grafting elements of R&B and pop to their unwavering jazz foundations. In a span of seventeen years and ten albums, the quartet has continued to explore the limitless dimensions and permutations of jazz while at the same time appealing to a broad mainstream audience.