Fourplay (Fourplay album) explained

Fourplay is the debut album by the American smooth jazz group Fourplay released in 1991 on Warner Bros. records. The album went to number 1^[1] on the Contemporary Jazz charts, number 16^[2] on the R&B charts and number 97^[3] on the US Billboard 200. As an album, Fourplay has also been certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.^[4]

Overview

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

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

• Bob James – executive producer
• Fourplay – producers
• 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^[5]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1991–1992)	Peak position
US Billboard 200[6]	97
US Top Contemporary Jazz Albums (Billboard)[7]	1
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[8]	16

Year-end charts

Notes and References

1. Web site: Fourplay (Billboard Contemporary Jazz Albums) . 25 October 1991 . billboard.com . Billboard . 14 February 2020 .
2. Web site: Billboard (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums) . 3 January 1992 . billboard.com . Billboard . 14 February 2020 .
3. Web site: Billboard 200 . 13 December 1991 . billboard.com . Billboard . 14 February 2020 .
4. Web site: Fourplay: Fourplay . 2023-07-02 . . en-US.
5. Web site: Fourplay - Fourplay . allmusic.com . AllMusic . February 14, 2020 .
6. Web site: Fourplay, TLP. Billboard. April 18, 2021. subscription.
7. Web site: Fourplay, JCR. Billboard. April 18, 2021. subscription.
8. Web site: Fourplay, BLP. Billboard. April 18, 2021. subscription.
9. Web site: Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1992. Billboard. April 18, 2021.