by Jonathan WidranConsidering that guitarist Doc Powell's Laid Back album was one of 1996's biggest airplay hits in the genre, and was about as smooth as soul- flavored pop-jazz gets, it seems bold to go the tongue and cheek route and call his latest, Don't Let the Smooth Jazz Fool Ya. Is he promising us something a bit edgier, funkier, in your face? He gets off to a good start with a slamming take on the normally staid, "Chariots of Fire," based on Ernie Watts' version and featuring the potent electric guitar/sax synergy of Powell and Dave Koz over a pulsating groove laid by bassist Sekou Bunch, drummer Michael White and percussionist Munyungo Jackson. He hits the mid-tempo funk mark on the bluesy breezes of the synth-horn splashed "Good Intentions" and "Here's To You," which features Powell in synch with Everette Harp's sax and a short but luscious Bobby Lyle piano solo. Unfortunately, Powell lays back after these, playing it safe rather than snazzy, easing into pleasant but unspectacular territory covering MOR hits from the '70s -- "Ellie's Theme" from the Shaft Soundtrack and Bread's "Make It With You." All slickly produced, perfectly played, of course, and sure to appeal to smooth jazz fans everywhere. I guess we're fooled again.