Review of Fourplay : Yes, Please
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

Users's Reviews - Fourplay : I'll take some more...
I believe this was one of their strongest and smoothest CD's they ever put out. Fourplay is one of Smooth Jazz's best supergroups. I have worn out this CD along with "Elixir", which is the next best one in my opinion. "Yes, Please" was the last CD before "Heartfelt". Although Heartfelt was good, it seemed like they are going in a different direction. I just previewed "Journey" and I have to say that i most likely won't be buying the CD, I'll just buy certain songs. If you want the definitive Fourplay collection, get every one of their CD's from the self titled debut to Yes, Please. You might even pick up "Heartfelt". If you want one of their best CD's, get "Yes, Please"!!!

Your latest reviews - Fourplay : Another wonderful album from this band
Yes, Please is yet another wonderful album from this band. It has some really melodious tracks, including "Robo Bop" (which almost sounds like "Magic Carpet Ride" from Elixir), "Double Trouble", "Fortress" (currently the lengthiest sound ever made by this band as of yet), and "Blues Force." All but two of the songs on this album can be categorized as smooth, instrumental jazz. However, "A Little Fourplay" and "Go With Your Heart" are best described as pure R&B, similar to what you might hear on 107.5. This ideally makes the album a solid choice for fans of both genres.

When I bought this album and really started getting behind it, I was still in high school. It's plenty useful in keeping oneself busy or completing assignments, because none of the songs are terribly short, which makes it seem as if the time is passing by much more quickly. Although Yes, Please doesn't quite surpass Between the Sheets as my favorite Fourplay album, that's hardly a reason to give it less than a 10.

Bottom-line: A solid choice for fans of Fourplay, smooth jazz, or R&B.

The KAB score -

Quality: 10
Melody: 10
Length: 10
Interest Factor: 10
Lasting Appeal: 10

Overall KAB evaluation: 10 perfect!

Reviewer: Baron.