2006年VOA标准英语-Fourplay Still at the Forefront

By Doug Levine
Washington
12 December 2006

Fifteen years after the release of their debut¹ album, Fourplay has yet to relinquish² its title of "smooth jazz warriors³." As we hear from VOA's Doug Levine, the all-star quartet is back with a new album that's already climbed to the top of the contemporary jazz chart.

 
Fourplay
Ten albums in 15 years isn't too bad considering each member of Fourplay spends much of their time on their own solo projects or recording⁴ with others. But, when schedules permit, and all four musicians can reunite for another album or another tour, there's no stopping the creative forces at work. As bassist Nathan East says, "We always make the time to get together, mainly because it's fun."

Fourplay's individual starpower hasn't upset their balance. When veteran pianist Bob James came up with the idea to form the group, there was no leader, and each musician was an equal partner. To this day, their music is a collaborative effort with James, East, drummer Harvey Mason, and Fourplay's guitarist since 1997, Larry Carlton, contributing to the writing, arranging and producing of every album.

 
One exception on their new release X (10) is the Steve Winwood composition My Love's Leavin', featuring Michael McDonald on lead vocals⁵.

Fouplay recently finished a world tour that took them to South Africa, Japan, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, Europe and the U.S. In September, the group performed at the 50th anniversary of the Blue Note nightclub in New York City.

One stop Fourplay has promised to make is at the upcoming Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California, where they're nominated for Best Pop Instrumental Album, X (10). Ironically, they'll be competing with their very own Larry Carlton and his album Firewire in the same category.

1 debut   

n.首次演出，初次露面

参考例句：

• That same year he made his Broadway debut, playing a suave radio journalist.在那同一年里，他初次在百老汇登台，扮演一个温文而雅的电台记者。
• The actress made her debut in the new comedy.这位演员在那出新喜剧中首次登台演出。

2 relinquish   

v.放弃，撤回，让与，放手

参考例句：

• He was forced to relinquish control of the company.他被迫放弃公司的掌控权。
• They will never voluntarily relinquish their independence.他们绝对不会自动放弃独立。

3 warriors   

武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• I like reading the stories ofancient warriors. 我喜欢读有关古代武士的故事。
• The warriors speared the man to death. 武士们把那个男子戳死了。

4 recording   

n.录音，记录

参考例句：

• How long will the recording of the song take?录下这首歌得花多少时间？
• I want to play you a recording of the rehearsal.我想给你放一下彩排的录像。

5 vocals   

（乐曲中的）歌唱部份，声乐部份( vocal的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Also look out for soaring vocals on The Right Man. 另外，也可留意一下《意中人》中的那高亢的唱腔。
• Lazy bass line, lazier drums, lush violins, great piano and incomparable vocals. 懒惰的低音线，较懒惰的鼓，饮小提琴，棒的钢琴和无比的声音。