Was Fourplay the last great jazz band? Certainly not, but the supergroup managed to achieve renown in the early '90s, a time when jazz still held some sway on quiet storm radio, yet was slowly receding from the popular consciousness. Yes, they were smooth, but they had considerable chops—a virtual guarantee with the involvement of Bob James, Nathan East, Harvey Mason and Lee Ritenour. The quartet actually landed hits on the R&B charts, a testament to their ability to reach mass audiences with structurally sound, ear-pleasing compositions. They made it all seem effortless.