fourplay Archives - ContemporaryJazz.com https://contemporaryjazz.com/category/fourplay Celebrating 30 Years Online! Tue, 29 Sep 2026 03:07:31 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.2 https://i0.wp.com/contemporaryjazz.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/cropped-ContemporaryJazz-mascot-logo-favicon-512x512-1.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 fourplay Archives - ContemporaryJazz.com https://contemporaryjazz.com/category/fourplay 32 32 124780169 Top Contemporary Jazz Chart – October 12, 1991 https://contemporaryjazz.com/top-contemporary-jazz-chart-october-12-1991 https://contemporaryjazz.com/top-contemporary-jazz-chart-october-12-1991#respond Tue, 29 Sep 2026 03:01:47 +0000 https://contemporaryjazz.com/?p=5445 The October 1991 chart was packed with debuts and big names! The Rippingtons were back at #1 with Curves Ahead, their second consecutive chart-topper and one of five #1 contemporary jazz albums the group would eventually have. At #2 was Chick Corea Elektric Band’s Beneath the Mask, the final album of the original run featuring […]

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]]> The October 1991 chart was packed with debuts and big names! The Rippingtons were back at #1 with Curves Ahead, their second consecutive chart-topper and one of five #1 contemporary jazz albums the group would eventually have. At #2 was Chick Corea Elektric Band’s Beneath the Mask, the final album of the original run featuring the classic lineup of Corea, John Patitucci, Dave Weckl, Eric Marienthal and Frank Gambale. The five wouldn’t record another Elektric Band album together until To the Stars in 2004.

The Manhattan Transfer went decidedly contemporary with The Offbeat of Avenues at #3. Jeff Lorber co-wrote and produced “10 Minutes Till the Savages Come,” David Pack and Michael McDonald helped write “A World Apart,” and Donald Fagen wrote “Confide in Me.” The album’s “Sassy” would go on to win the Grammy for Best Contemporary Jazz Performance. And check out the debuts: Fourplay’s self-titled first album was already at #6 on its way to #1. At #7 was Candy Dulfer’s debut, Saxuality. Dulfer had already scored an international crossover hit alongside Eurythmics’ David A, Stewart with the instrumental “Lily Was Here,” which reached #11 on the Billboard Hot 100. Saxuality would reach #22 on the Billboard 200 and earn Dulfer a Grammy nomination. And at #11, saxophonist Warren Hill was beginning his career with his debut, Kiss Under the Moon.

Top Contemporary Jazz Albums

Week of October 12, 1991

# Artist Album
1 The Rippingtons featuring Russ Freeman Curves Ahead ▶
2 Chick Corea Elektric Band Beneath the Mask ▶
3 The Manhattan Transfer The Offbeat of Avenues ▶
4 Béla Fleck & The Flecktones Flight of the Cosmic Hippo ▶
5 Acoustic Alchemy Back on the Case ▶
6 Fourplay Fourplay ▶
7 Candy Dulfer Saxuality ▶
8 Jean-Luc Ponty Tchokola ▶
9 Kim Waters Sax Appeal ▶
10 Al Di Meola World Sinfonia ▶
11 Warren Hill Kiss Under the Moon ▶
12 Mike Stern Odds or Evens ▶
13 The Crusaders Healing the Wounds ▶
14 Jon Lucien Listen Love ▶
15 Michel Petrucciani Playground ▶
16 Spyro Gyra Collection ▶
17 Sadao Watanabe Sweet Deal ▶
18 Eric Marienthal Oasis ▶
19 Tony Guerrero Another Day, Another Dream ▶
20 Bluesiana II Bluesiana II ▶
21 Tuck & Patti Dream ▶
22 Dotsero Jubilee ▶
23 Phil Sheeran Standing on Fishes ▶
24 Alex Bugnon 107 Degrees in the Shade ▶
25 Nestor Torres Dance of the Phoenix ▶

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]]> https://contemporaryjazz.com/top-contemporary-jazz-chart-october-12-1991/feed 0 5445 Top Contemporary Jazz Chart – July 2, 1994 https://contemporaryjazz.com/top-contemporary-jazz-chart-july-2-1994 https://contemporaryjazz.com/top-contemporary-jazz-chart-july-2-1994#respond Mon, 06 Jul 2026 16:43:12 +0000 https://contemporaryjazz.com/?p=5189 Tenderness from Al Jarreau was a live-in-the-studio recording that blended the intimacy of a concert performance with the polish of a studio album. Produced by Marcus Miller, the project featured an all-star cast including Joe Sample, David Sanborn, Michael Brecker, Patches Stewart, Steve Gadd, Eric Gale,  and acclaimed soprano Kathleen Battle. The album found Jarreau […]

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]]> Tenderness from Al Jarreau was a live-in-the-studio recording that blended the intimacy of a concert performance with the polish of a studio album. Produced by Marcus Miller, the project featured an all-star cast including Joe Sample, David Sanborn, Michael Brecker, Patches Stewart, Steve Gadd, Eric Gale,  and acclaimed soprano Kathleen Battle. The album found Jarreau revisiting classics such as “Try a Little Tenderness,” “Your Song,” “My Favorite Things,” “She’s Leaving Home,” and “Summertime,” while also including updated versions of his own compositions like “We Got By” and “Save Your Love for Me.” Tenderness may be one of the most relaxed and inspired recordings of Jarreau’s career, pairing his vocal agility with stellar talent and songs that gave him plenty of room to soar.

Top Contemporary Jazz Albums
Week of July 2, 1994

# Artist Album
1 Kenny G Breathless ▶
2 David Sanborn Hearsay ▶
3 Al Jarreau Tenderness ▶
4 Norman Brown After the Storm ▶
5 John Tesh Project Sax by the Fire ▶
6 The Benoit/Freeman Project The Benoit/Freeman Project ▶
7 Boney James Backbone ▶
8 Incognito Positivity ▶
9 Nancy Wilson Love, Nancy ▶
10 Paul Hardcastle Hardcastle ▶
11 Gerald Albright Smooth ▶
12 Bob James Restless ▶
13 Patti Austin That Secret Place ▶
14 Fourplay Between the Sheets ▶
15 Dave Koz Lucky Man ▶
16 Marion Meadows Forbidden Fruit ▶
17 Gil Scott-Heron Spirits ▶
18 Candy Dulfer Sax-A-Go-Go ▶
19 Ronny Jordan The Quiet Revolution ▶
20 Stanley Clarke East River Drive ▶
21 Carl Anderson Heavy Weather Sunlight Again ▶
22 Tom Scott Reed My Lips ▶
23 Joe McBride A Gift for Tomorrow ▶
24 Yellowjackets Run for Your Life ▶
25 Nelson Rangell Yes, Then Yes ▶

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]]> https://contemporaryjazz.com/top-contemporary-jazz-chart-july-2-1994/feed 0 5189 Top Contemporary Jazz Albums – April 22, 1995 https://contemporaryjazz.com/top-contemporary-jazz-albums-april-22-1995 https://contemporaryjazz.com/top-contemporary-jazz-albums-april-22-1995#comments Fri, 18 Apr 2025 20:47:45 +0000 https://contemporaryjazz.com/?p=4458 According to Billboard magazine, here were the Top Contemporary Jazz Albums for the week of April 22, 1995!   Meanwhile, over on the Top Jazz Albums for the same week, David Sanborn was on top with Pearls, his lush recording with orchestral arrangements. And Grover Washington, Jr. was also on the chart with All My […]

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]]> According to Billboard magazine, here were the Top Contemporary Jazz Albums for the week of April 22, 1995!  

Meanwhile, over on the Top Jazz Albums for the same week, David Sanborn was on top with Pearls, his lush recording with orchestral arrangements. And Grover Washington, Jr. was also on the chart with All My Tomorrows, a more stripped-down  album with strings.

Top Contemporary Jazz Albums

Week of April 22, 1995

# Artist Album  
1 Kenny G Breathless ►
2 Pat Metheny Group We Live Here ►
3 Spyro Gyra Love & Other Obsessions ►
4 John Tesh Project Sax on the Beach ►
5 George Duke Illusions ►
6 Phil Perry Pure Pleasure ►
7 Najee Share My World ►
8 Norman Brown After the Storm ►
9 Incognito Positivity ►
10 John Tesh Project Sax by the Fire ►
11 Pieces of a Dream Goodbye Manhattan ►
12 David Sanborn The Best of David Sanborn ►
13 Tom Scott Night Creatures ►
14 Jeff Lorber West Side Stories ►
15 Acoustic Alchemy Against the Grain ►
16 Hilary James & Bob James Flesh and Blood ►
17 Dave Koz Lucky Man ►
18 Russ Freeman & The Rippingtons Sahara ►
19 Chris Botti First Wish ►
20 Peter White Reflections ►
21 Fourplay Between the Sheets ►
22 Richard Elliot After Dark ►
23 Fattburger Livin’ Large ►
24 Avenue Blue Avenue Blue Featuring Jeff Golub ►
25 George Howard A Home Far Away ►

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