Smooth jazz
supergroup
Fourplay
bring more laid-back
pop
tunes and lite jams to the group's eighth studio album,
Journey
. There aren't many surprises here for anyone familiar with the genre. However, pianist
Bob James
is a brilliant composer and tasteful improviser, and he raises the bar here on tracks like the intricate
"From Day One"
and the atmospheric
"Departure."
Similarly, drummer
Harvey Mason
's
Brazilian jazz
-inflected
"Rozil"
stands out, as does bassist/vocalist
Nathan East
's title track, which calls to mind guitarist
Eric Clapton
's acoustic work. This is a pleasant album that should appeal to longtime fans. ~ Matt Collar