After only a few hit projects establishing himself as one of the genre's most popular guitarists, it seems curious why Doc Powell would conceive and produce an all-star concept album like Double Scale rather than do another solo album which might further cement his stature. That said, this is a can't miss event in smooth jazz/urban funk circles, a fun-filled opportunity for those less initiated with the format to get acquainted with none other than Everette Harp, Bobby Lyle, Chuck Mangione, Joe Sample, and Tom Scott, all of whom Powell writes showcase tunes for. Powell is so intuitive at knowing their strengths that each tune would fit perfectly on the artist's own albums. Harp doubles his alto and tenor as he carries an in your face melody throughout the bouncy funk of "Locomotion," while on "Southern Winds," Powell lays down a gentler, easier flowing rhythmic foundation for Lyle to strut his elegant funk stuff. He takes the silky smooth approach to the extreme on Mangione's piece, the soundscape heavy, ambient "Miss T"; if you didn't know the famed flugelhornist's résumé, you might think he was inspired by the cool sounds of Chris Botti. The tune for Sample, "Jungle Walk," captures a similar easy percussion vibe, allowing Marcus Miller to build a dramatic bassline over which the pianist ranges from dark toned chords to those cheery high register melodies. Powell steps into the spotlight on the uptempo "Sassy," which features his sharp acoustic work and a breathy, synth-created vocal chorus. ~ Jonathan Widran, All Music Guide
Double Scale: A Windham Hill Jazz Collection
06/15/1999
All Music Guide Review
Double Scale: A Windham Hill Jazz Collection Track Listing
Credits of Double Scale: A Windham Hill Jazz Collection
- Byron Miller
- Guitar (Bass), Performer
- Marcus Miller
- Guitar (Bass), Performer
- Frank Roszak
- Mixing
- Doug Sax
- Mastering
- Erik Zobler
- Engineer, Mixing
- Gerald Spikes
- Sax (Soprano), Performer
- Michael Lington
- Saxophone, Performer
- Myron McKinley
- Piano, Performer
- Rick Lawson
- Drums
- Tim Owens
- Vocals, Performer
- Sekou Bunch
- Guitar (Bass)
- Skip Anderson
- Strings, String Arrangements
- Oscar Brashear
- Performer
- Reggie Hamilton
- Guitar (Bass), Performer
- Everette Harp
- Performer
- Doc Powell
- Arranger, Multi Instruments, Producer, Keyboards, Engineer, Synthesizer Bass, Performer
- Munyungo Jackson
- Conga, Shaker
- Steve Kroon
- Percussion, Wind Chimes, Bongos, Raintree
- Ricky Lawson
- Performer
- Patrice Rushen
- Piano, Performer
- Gary Taylor
- Vocals, Performer
- Bobby Lyle
- Piano, Performer
- Chuck Mangione
- Flugelhorn, Performer
- Joe Sample
- Piano, Performer
- Tom Scott
- Sax (Soprano), Performer











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