Album Information:
Album ID: 10418
About Tower Of Power:
Tower of Power is a legendary American funk and soul band that has been active since the late 1960s. Over the years, the band has released numerous hit songs and albums that have helped shape the landscape of funk music. Tower of Power's music is characterized by a unique blend of brass, drums, bass, and guitar, which creates a distinctive sound that has earned them a huge following across the world.
The band was formed in Oakland, California, in 1968, by Emilio Castillo and Stephen Kupka. Castillo played saxophone and Kupka played baritone saxophone. They later added other members, including Rocco Prestia on bass, David Garibaldi on drums, and Lenny Williams on vocals. Together, they began playing local gigs and building a following.
By the early 1970s, Tower of Power had signed with Warner Bros. Records and released a string of successful albums, including 'Bump City' and 'Tower of Power.' These albums yielded hit songs such as 'What Is Hip?' and 'You're Still a Young Man,' which became fan favorites and received widespread airplay.
During the 1980s, Tower of Power experienced some personnel changes and a dip in their popularity. However, the band continued to tour and release new music, including the albums 'Monster on a Leash' and 'Souled Out.' In the 1990s, Tower of Power released a live album and continued touring, delivering their signature energetic performances and earning new fans along the way.
Today, Tower of Power is still going strong after more than five decades of performing. They have amassed a loyal fan base and continue to tour and record new music. Along the way, the band has also influenced countless other musicians in the funk genre and beyond. The band's current lineup features several of its original members, including Emilio Castillo, Stephen Kupka, David Garibaldi, and Rocco Prestia.
About the album Tower Of Power:
Tower of Power is a self-titled album that was released by the funk and soul band of the same name in 1973. It is considered to be one of their most iconic and influential albums. The album features a mixture of funk, soul, and jazz sounds, with powerful brass arrangements and energetic vocal performances.
The opening track, 'What Is Hip?', immediately sets the tone for the album with its catchy horn riffs and memorable chorus. The song showcases the band's distinctive sound, which fuses together horns, rhythm guitar, and a tight rhythm section to create a hard-hitting funk sound.
Other tracks on the album include 'Clever Girl', a groovy number with a memorable horn line and funky bass groove; 'This Time It's Real', a soulful ballad that showcases lead singer Lenny Williams' powerful vocal abilities; and 'Don't Change Horses (In the Middle of a Stream)', a funky dance track with a sing-along chorus and a killer horn section.
One of the standout tracks on the album is 'Soul Vaccination', which features an infectious rhythm guitar riff and a pulsating horn arrangement that builds to an explosive climax. The song perfectly captures the energy and excitement of a live Tower of Power performance.
The album also includes a number of instrumentals, including 'Squit 'N' Cuss' and 'Below Us, All the City Lights', which showcase the band's impressive musicianship and intricate arrangements.
Overall, Tower of Power's self-titled album is a masterclass in funk and soul, with memorable melodies, powerful horn arrangements, and an infectious energy that has stood the test of time. It remains a classic album that continues to influence funk and soul musicians to this day.
Members:
Tower of Power is an American funk band that was formed in Oakland, California in 1968. The band has had a rotating cast of members throughout their career, but some of the key members are:
1. Emilio Castillo - saxophonist, co-founder, and lead songwriter of Tower of Power. Born in Detroit, Michigan in 1950, Castillo started playing saxophone at the age of 10. He moved to California in the late 1960s and formed Tower of Power with Stephen 'Doc' Kupka.
2. Stephen 'Doc' Kupka - saxophonist, co-founder, and songwriter of Tower of Power. Born in California in 1946, Kupka started playing saxophone in high school. He met Emilio Castillo while they were both serving in the US Army and they formed Tower of Power after their discharge.
3. Lenny Williams - vocalist who joined Tower of Power in 1972. Born in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1945, Williams started singing in church as a child. He was the lead vocalist on Tower of Power's hit song 'So Very Hard to Go' and left the band in 1975 to pursue a solo career.
4. David Garibaldi - drummer who joined Tower of Power in 1970. Born in Oakland, California in 1946, Garibaldi started playing drums in high school. He is known for his unique, syncopated style of playing and has been a key part of the band's rhythm section for over 50 years.
5. Rocco Prestia - bassist who joined Tower of Power in 1968. Born in California in 1951, Prestia started playing bass at the age of 15. He is known for his distinctive bass lines, which have been sampled by numerous hip-hop artists over the years.
6. Mic Gillette - trombonist and trumpeter who joined Tower of Power in 1969. Born in California in 1951, Gillette started playing brass instruments in grade school. He was known for his incredible range and played on some of the band's most popular songs, including 'What is Hip?' and 'You're Still a Young Man.' Gillette passed away in 2016.
These are just a few of the key members of Tower of Power. The band has had many talented musicians over the years and continues to tour and record to this day.
Track List for Tower Of Power:
I'm sorry, as an AI language model, I am unable to provide you the specific information about the tracks in the album Tower of Power by the artist Tower of Power in order with the play time along with a detailed description of each track, as it requires specific data which has not been provided to me. However, I can suggest a few online resources you can use to find the details:
- AllMusic: https://www.allmusic.com/album/tower-of-power-mw0000067494
- Discogs: https://www.discogs.com/Tower-Of-Power-Tower-Of-Power/release/2333920
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/3fXKqzFyFAyuGYU5OBYsTU
These websites contain specific information about the album, including the tracklist and descriptions of each track.
Discography for Tower Of Power:
Tower of Power Discography:
Albums:
1. East Bay Grease (1970)
2. Bump City (1972)
3. Tower of Power (1973)
4. Back to Oakland (1974)
5. Urban Renewal (1974)
6. In the Slot (1975)
7. Live and In Living Color (1976)
8. Ain't Nothin' Stoppin' Us Now (1976)
9. We Came to Play! (1978)
10. Back on the Streets (1979)
11. Direct (1981)
12. Power (1987)
13. Monster on a Leash (1991)
14. Souled Out (1995)
15. Rhythm & Business (1997)
16. Soul Vaccination: Tower of Power Live (1999)
17. Oakland Zone (2003)
18. The Great American Soulbook (2009)
19. Hipper Than Hip: Yesterday, Today, & Tomorrow Live on The Air & In The Studio 1974 (2015)
20. Soul Side of Town (2018)
Singles:
1. You're Still a Young Man (1972)
2. So Very Hard to Go (1973)
3. This Time It's Real (1973)
4. What Is Hip? (1973)
5. Soul Vaccination (1974)
6. Drop It in the Slot (1975)
7. Only So Much Oil in the Ground (1975)
8. You Ought to Be Havin' Fun (1976)
9. Don't Change Horses (In the Middle of a Stream) (1977)
10. We're Still Friends (1978)
11. Sparkling in the Sand (1979)
12. Back on the Streets Again (1979)
13. You're Gonna Need Me (1981)
14. Can't Stop Thinking About You (1987)
Other releases:
1. Dinosaur Tracks (1972)
2. Ain't Nothin' Stoppin' Us Now / Viva De Funk (1976)
3. Top / Live at the Calderone Theatre (1987)
4. TOP (1993)
5. The East Bay Archive, Volumes 1–2 (1996)
6. Oakland Zone & Soul Side of Town Bundle (2018)