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
Tracklist:
1 Free Range 6:26
2 Double Trouble 5:49
3 Once Upon A Love 4:33
4 Robo Bop 6:27
5 Blues Force 6:59
6 Save Some Love For Me 5:33
7 Fortress 8:11
8 Go With Your Heart 4:05
9 Poco A Poco 5:15
10 A Little Fourplay 4:20
11 Lucky 5:33
Bob James – pianos, keyboards
Larry Carlton – guitars
Nathan East – bass guitars, vocals (6, 7), backing vocals (10)
Harvey Mason – drums
Ken Freeman – synthesizer programming
Chanté Moore – vocals (6)
Sherree – lead and backing vocals (10)
