Fourplay (Fourplay album)

Fourplay is the debut album by the American smooth jazz group Fourplay which was released in 1991. The group was originally composed by Bob James (keyboards), Lee Ritenour (guitars), Nathan East (bass) and Harvey Mason (drums). The album went to number 1[2] on the Contemporary Jazz charts, number 16[3] on the R&B charts and number 97[4] on the US Billboard 200. Since then the album went Gold according to the RIAA and has sold over 1 million copies worldwide.

Fourplay
Studio album by Fourplay
Released	September 17, 1991
Recorded	1990-1991
Studio	Ocean Way Recording and Sunset Sound (Hollywood, California) Pyramid Studios (Los Angeles, California) Starlight Studios (Malibu, California)
Genre	Jazz
Length	62:38
Label	Warner Bros.
Producer	Fourplay
Fourplay chronology
Fourplay (1991) Between the Sheets (1993)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]

Overview

With this debut LP Fourplay's lineup consisted of keyboardist Bob James, guitarist Lee Ritenour, bassist Nathan East and drummer Harvey Mason.[1]

Track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Bali Run"	Lee Ritenour, Bob James	5:32
2.	"101 Eastbound"	Nathan East, Marcel East	5:57
3.	"Foreplay"	Lee Ritenour	5:26
4.	"Moonjogger"	Bob James	6:16
5.	"Max-O-Man"	Harvey Mason, Sr., Michael Lang	5:33
6.	"After the Dance (featuring El DeBarge)"	Marvin Gaye, T-Boy Ross, Leon Ware	6:05
7.	"Quadrille"	Bob James	5:43
8.	"Midnight Stroll"	Harvey Mason, Sr.	4:44
9.	"October Morning"	Lee Ritenour	5:01
10.	"Wish You Were Here"	Lee Ritenour	6:11
11.	"Rain Forest"	Bob James	6:05

Personnel

Fourplay

• Bob James – Yamaha C7 MIDI grand piano, keyboards, synthesizers, programming
• Lee Ritenour – electric guitars, classical guitars, guitar synthesizer
• Nathan East – 5-string bass, 6-string bass, backing vocals (6)
• Harvey Mason – drums

Additional musicians

• Harvey Mason Jr. – synthesizer programming, computer programming
• El DeBarge – lead and backing vocals (6)
• Darryl DeBarge – backing vocals (6)
• Patti LaBelle – backing vocals (6), BGV arrangements (6)
• Philip Bailey – backing vocals (11)

Production

• Fourplay – producers
• Bob James – executive producer
• Don Murray – recording, mixing
• Geoff Gillette – additional recording
• Khaliq Glover – additional recording
• Femi Jiya – additional recording
• Mike Kloster – assistant engineer
• Paul May – assistant engineer
• Clif Norrell – assistant engineer
• Harvey Mason Jr. – technical assistance
• Robert Vosgien – digital editing
• Wally Traugott – mastering at Capitol Mastering (Hollywood, California).
• Debra Johnson – production coordinator
• Kim Champagne – art direction
• Leslie Wintner – design
• Stuart Watson – photography
• O'Brien and Schridde – band photography

Track information and credits adapted from AllMusic[1][5]

Charts

Album – Billboard

Year	Chart	Position
1991	Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums	16[3]
1991	The Billboard 200	97[4]
1992	Contemporary Jazz Albums	1[2]

References

1. Yanow, Scott. Fourplay - Fourplay at AllMusic. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
2. "Fourplay (Billboard Contemporary Jazz Albums)". billboard.com. Billboard. 25 October 1991. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
3. "Billboard (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". billboard.com. Billboard. 3 January 1992. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
4. "Billboard 200". billboard.com. Billboard. 13 December 1991. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
5. "Fourplay - Fourplay". allmusic.com. AllMusic. Retrieved 14 February 2020.