This album is overflowing with pure UNCUT Soul & Funk!!! With THAT MONSTER HORN SECTION!!!!
This
is the third album release for the Oakland-based band and is their most
successful album to date, which was released in the Spring of 1973. The
album peaked at #15 on the Billboard Pop Album chart in 1973 and
received a gold record award. The Album also spawned their
most-successful single "So Very Hard To Go". Although the single only
peaked at #17 on the Billboard Hot 100, landed in the Top 10 on the
surveys of many West Coast Top 40 radio stations; hitting #1 on most of
them. The Album also charted two other singles on the Billboard Hot
100, "This Time It's Real" and "What Is Hip?".
Track listing 1. What Is Hip? – 5:08 2. Get Yo' Feet Back On The Ground – 4:52 3. So Very Hard To Go – 3:41 4. Soul Vaccination – 5:13 5. Clean Slate – 3:22 6. Clever Girl – 2:56 7. This Time It's Real – 2:54 8. Will I Ever Find A Love? – 3:51 9. Both Sorry Over Nothin' – 3:25 10. Just Another Day – 4:34
Personnel Greg Adams – Strings, Trumpet, Arranger, Conductor, Flugelhorn, Horn, Vocals, String Arrangements Brent Byars – Bongos, Conga Emilio Castillo – Saxophone, Sax (Tenor), Vocals, Production Supervisor Bruce Conte – Guitar, Vocals David Garibaldi – Drums Mic Gillette – Trombone, Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Horn, Horn (Baritone), Vocals Stephen "Doc" Kupka – Oboe, Saxophone, Sax (Baritone), Vocals Lenny Pickett – Clarinet, Flute, Saxophone, Sax (Tenor), Vocals Francis "Rocco" Prestia – Bass Jay Spell – Piano Bruce Steinberg – Harmonica, Art Direction, Design, Photography, Illustrations, Cover Design Chester Thompson – Organ, Keyboards, Vocals Lenny Williams – Vocals
Tower of Power has always been difficult to define or describe. It has
been, and continues to be, a fascinating amalgam of talent. The most
prolific period, while signed with Warner Brothers records, showcased a
rare and formidable combination of talents under the leadership of Emilio Castillo.With the principle songwriting of Doc Kupka and Emilio, and horn arrangements of Greg Adams as
the foundation, the musicianship of the entire ensemble percolated with
the precision of a Swiss watch. Doc, Emilio and Greg were complemented
by powerful trumpet and trombone of Mic Gillette and the soulful ease of Lenny Pickett on lead tenor. The unique rhythmic synergy of David Garibaldi on drums and Rocco Prestia on bass, gave Tower its sophisticated syncopation. The distinctive guitar solos of Bruce Conte and the world class B-3 work of Chester Thompson, complete the rhythm section in full effect.. The unique silky vocals of Lenny Williams
stood out, brilliantly, against the force of the band. It is indeed,
amazing, that five of the ten members, from that period, are members,
today.Through the years, before and since, there have been a plethora
of fine musicians and vocalists that have 'held a chair' within Tower
of Power. It is not a position one owns, but one is a caretaker of.
Tower's sound has had an evolutionary ebb and flow as different
musicians lent their talents to the band. Reviews
1
This
is the recording that takes ToP out of Oakland and places them
permanently on the national stage. Local's were still trying to
figuring out Kool & Gang riff's while ToP had moved on to a
different level using Latin & soul rhythms and a quality group of
horn players that could sit in with the JB's anytime. If you haven't
heard this group (which is very hard to believe) this is the recording
to get to hear the full range of material this group is capable of
performing.
2
Oh
yeah ! This sounds so hot to me.In this album you can hear the
mellowness, cool funkiness inspired by JAMES BROWN. This album is too
hot to handle. Handle with care so that you will not be carried away so
far. These soul music searchers are so eager to tighten up the band
sound. Sit back and loosen up yourself in the OAKLAND WHITE FUNK WAY.
Well-structured brass section will hit you in the face. This album
won't get you wrong.
3
This
is truly one of the best albums of the early 70's. I am a big fan of
CHICAGO but this collection and "Bump City" should have blown them
right off the charts. The fabulous horn section played on many other
artist's records, but listen to "What is Hip?" and hear them in their
own element knock it out of the park! These guys are the real deal.
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