Fourplay - Between The Sheets (30th Anniversary 2023 Remastered) (2023) [Hi-Res]

'Between the Sheets' is the second studio album of smooth jazz group Fourplay and was released in August 1993. The album peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Top Jazz Albums chart and No. 15 on the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart. 'Between the Sheets' sold over 500,000 copies in the United States and thus certified gold by the RIAA. 'Between the Sheets', the popular single, written by the Isley Brothers, features Fourplay members Bob James (piano), Lee Ritenour (guitar), Nathan East (lead vocals and bass) and Harvey Mason (drums) with guests, soul singer Chaka Khan on lead vocals, backed-up by Philip Bailey and Phil Perry. Sultry and smooth, oozing with class. Amoroso is a sprightly tune that features sparkling solos from James and Ritenour while East and Mason (composer) keep a lively groove simmering underneath. This continues to be a defining album for smooth Jazz genre and Fourplay.

"It is not too surprising that Fourplay started out fairly popular, for the group, in addition to bassist Nathan East and drummer Harvey Mason, teams together keyboardist Bob James and guitarist Lee Ritenour. Their playing on this Warner Bros. release results in rather predictable background music, easy-listening crossover with touches of jazz heard in the melodic solos along with poppish R&B rhythms. Nathan East's vocals dominate a few selections. Nothing very substantial occurs." (Scott Yanow, AMG)

Bob James, Yamaha C7 MIDI grand piano, Yamaha Disklavier piano, synthesizers, string orchestrations, arrangements (1, 3, 4, 7)
Lee Ritenour, electric guitars, guitar synthesizer (2, 3, 5, 8), arrangements (2, 3, 6, 9)
Nathan East, 5 and 6-string bass guitars, fretless basses, lead chant (1), chorus chant (1), lead vocals (3), backing vocals (3), arrangements (3, 5)
Harvey Mason, drums, percussion, marimba, vibraphone, chimes, glockenspiel, arrangements (3, 8, 10, 11)
Additional Musicians:
Harvey Mason, Jr., synthesizer programming, computer sequencing, drum programming (3)
Dee Fredrix, chorus chant (1)
Chaka Khan, lead vocals (3), backing vocals (3)
Phillip Bailey, backing vocals (3)
Chanté Moore, backing vocals (3)
Phil Perry, backing vocals (3)

Digitally remastered