Doc Powell - Doc Powell (2006)

Doc Powell is a guarantee for musical quality. He started his career as the musical director of Wilson Pickett. He gained his first international exposure with R&B superstar Luther Vandross. he also performed with Aretha Franklin, Teddy Pendergrass, Jeffrey Osborne, Ashford & Simpson and Dionne Warwick, as well as contemporary jazz giants Grover Washington, Jr., Bob James and McCoy Tyner. Further highlights of his career was his performance on Stevie Wonder's most recent album "A Time 2 Love" and at the 2006 BET Awards featuring performances by superstars Prince, Stevie Wonder and Chaka Khan.

Doc Powell launches a swinging start with Me, Myself, and Rio. Humming and scatting he accompanies his birdlike jubilating guitar. "I think what makes this record special is that it reveals two sides of myself as a guitarist," attests Powell. "I've been playing the Martin guitar for the past five years, and it's got a voice and tone that is more true to a classical guitar sound, and I really wanted to capture that quality on the record." This special guitar sound is well-rounded by Lloyd Barry's perfect horn-arrangement.

Carole King wrote It's Too Late for her album "Tapestry" in 1971. Two instrumental masters are gilding this classic hit in their own personal way: Kirk Whalum (sax) and Doc Powell (guitar). The nucleus of his new release was created during long bus rides, backstage and in hotel rooms, while touring on Kirk Franklin's "Hero" tour from November 2005 till early this year.

Let Go is was produced, arranged and recorded by Barry J. Eastmond. This creative keyboardist already played with illuminates like Phil Perry, Kenny Lattimore, Jonathan Butler, Billy Ocean, Maysa and more. He mainly works as a very successful producer. Powell describes him as a treasured friend and a musical weapon.

Circumstances comes along with a heavy rhythm reminding me at the drum-programming of early eighties. Powell also plays keyboards and synth bass on this tune. He uses the slow rhythm as a sub-structure for his excellent breathtaking guitar solo.

Keyboardist Myron McKinley is the arranger and writer of Cab Ride. He performed with Earth, Wind and Fire, Stanley Clarke, Silk and more. This song is featuring Matt Cappy on muted trumpet who contributes a lot to the atmosphere of this tune. Matt has played with hundreds known artists from Michael Jackson, Gerald Veasley to EWF.

On Hip Pocket Powell showcases more of his prowess in arranging, composing and performing as a multi-instrumentalist. The tune is flowing like a river.

Together We Can is a special duet. "I'm playing octaves on the electric guitar in a Wes Montgomery style, and the acoustic guitar is playing the same thing but with a different tone," stated Doc Powell. "I always wanted to call the album "Duets", because I'm playing two distinct styles, and I really like the way the two instruments sounds together."

Doc Powell, Terry Baker and Ernie Green are shouting: "Hey"! From this returning breakpoint Powell develops the melody of the tune. The short keyboard background motif reminds me at Flying Like An Eagle.

Another Place & Time is the following tune. I would add "Another Style" to this title. The Bossa impression is supported by Pablo Batista on percussion. Doc Powell's guitar style is brilliant and masterly.

Final tune on this album is an unplugged version of It's Too Late. Doc Powell performs this time the theme on a classic guitar. "I wanted a song that was universal and that music fans from my generation could identify with," says Powell, " and I feel each version is unique and special in its' own way."

It's no great effort to love this album. After some notes one definetely knows here is a master at work.