Don't Let The Smooth Jazz Fool Ya by Doc Powell

29 Nov

Written by Samira Blackwell
font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email
Be the first to comment!

Doc has done it again! In Doc Powell's forth solo release he has given us a stunning melody of jazz tunes mixed with all types of musical genres and styles. Doc's musical i…

Doc has done it again! In Doc Powell's forth solo release he has given us a stunning melody of jazz tunes mixed with all types of musical genres and styles. Doc's musical influences range from Grand Funk, James Brown, B.B. King, Joe Pass, Sly and the Family Stone, to the dynamic Jimi Hendrix. Doc's musical career began with his first guitar at the influential age of six. By age 15 Doc was hired to do his first recording session and honed his own unique guitar playing style throughout his high school years. With a letter of recommendation from his idol, the great George Benson, he continued his musical studies at University of Charleston in West Virginia. Soon after this he was asked to audition with the legendary Wilson Pickett. He was not only given the gig but was soon made musical director for the band. Producer Fred Petrus rediscovered Doc when he saw him performing in a New York club and asked him to record with the group "Change" whose lead singer was the world renowned, Luther Vandross. This was the start to a 13 year partnership for Doc being introduced to the world by Luther as "The Doctor".

In this latest release Doc had his work cut out when trying to top his last release, "Laid Back". "Laid Back" was named NAC #2 album of the year in 1996, while entertaining the top ten charts for seven consecutive weeks. When asked about the title to this new album, Doc responds by saying, "Most of today's jazz players grew up listing to all types of music and playing everything from rock and gospel to R&B and jazz. The music I play today naturally fuses all those influences." This unique blend of ballads, blues and smooth jazz offers something for all music lovers. You won't be fooled by any of the tracks on this release, they are all just great music. Doc gives us the uplifting and powerful, "Chariots of Fire", the funky beat driven title track featuring trumpeter extraordinare, Roy Hargrove, and touches feelings in the lover's heart on the "Make it with you" remake touting the smooth refined vocals of James Robinson.

Let me repeat myself for a lack of better words "Doc has done it again!"