Between the Sheets is the second studio album of the smooth jazz group Fourplay - comprised of acclaimed jazz musicians Bob James (piano), Lee Ritenour (guitar), Nathan East (vocals/bass), and Harvey Mason (drums). The album is well-regarded as a defining album in the smooth jazz genre and was released in August 1993 to rapturous acclaim. The album is certified gold by the RIAA, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Top Jazz Albums chart and No. 15 on the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart and selling over 500,000 copies in the United States.
The album is known for its iconic smooth jazz tracks, like the slow, sensuous ballad "Between The Sheets," a remake of the 1983 hit by R&B group the Isley Brothers. It features vocals from legendary soul singer Chaka Khan, whose lead voice duets with Nathan East against lush background vocals from noted singers Chante Moore, Phil Perry, and Earth, Wind & Fire's Philip Bailey. Then there is "Amoroso," a sprightly tune featuring sparkling solos from James and Ritenour while East and the song's composer, Mason, keep a lively groove simmering. Lastly, "Chant" is an elegant Bob James' tune propelled by a chugging funk rhythm and features East supplying soft, atmospheric vocals and a sinewy bass line. The album will be re-issued by evosound on SACD worldwide on the 15th March 2024.
