Following on the heels of
George Benson's crossover blockbuster
Breezin',
Windows casts
O'Donel Levy in the same mainstream, fusion-inspired mold, complete with vocals. To
Levy's credit, the album never feels like a sell-out bid, and if anything, the mellow context underscores the chromatic beauty of his singular guitar aesthetic. With its bold, lush arrangements, the album at times boasts a cinematic splendor calling to mind the blaxploitation sound. Inasmuch as funk is ever subtle,
Windows is ripe with nuance and resonance, yet never falls prey to the sleepiness of smooth jazz. ~ Jason Ankeny