Tower Of Power - Back to Oakland [1974]
Link 2
Formed out of various Oakland-based bands in the early '70s, Tower of Power was the West Coast answer to the various rock horn bands popular during that period. But where their rivals relied on catchy horn charts and bland lyrics (Chicago instantly comes to mind), Tower of Power was funkier, grittier, and a lot greasier than any of their contemporaries
Tower of Power is Something else.those Horns don't Front.back in the day to be considered a Power House you had to be able to pull off many different Musical Styles.
Lenny Williams' vocals really set a definitive tone for this group. They were distinctive, fluid and heartfelt. His voice made the puzzle complete; put the icing on the cake; lit the cigarette after some mind-blowing sex.
Tower of Power - Tower of Power [1973]
Link 2
From the very first cut: "What Is Hip" your party is just gettin' started.
The CD also includes the singles "This Time It's Real" & "So Very Hard To Go", plus the album favorite "Soul Vaccination" which could have done very well as a Single, but the group had begun working on the "Back To Oakland" project (Which is another "Classic" to add to your collection). This album is overflowing with pure UNCUT Soul & Funk!!!
Tower Of Power - Bump City [1971]
Link 2
This album is Tower seeking to translate their awesome musicality and cult following into a signature sound that would appeal to a wider audience. Consequently, the songs are shorter than on their "East Bay Grease" debut album. It's also one of the Tower albums where you can play all the way through. This vocalist is not the Lenny Williams from their peak period, but he does a great job and you wish he had been able to stick around for a couple more albums. "Bump City" and "Down to the Nightclub" are great tunes.
Tower Of Power - East Bay Grease [1970]
Link 2
"East Bay Grease" blasts out of the Oakland flats with an edge and intensity that no hippie band could ever have hoped to match. Driven by a tight rhythm section, raw lead vocals (by Rufus Miller, the first of a succession of singers whom, in Spinal Tap fashion, kept getting waylaid by stints in jail, etc.) and of course that signature horn-section, "East Bay Grease" not only sets the prototype for the string of hit albums and singles that was to follow, but also has its own completely original, unrefined but virtuosic sound that, I believe, sets it at the top of TOP's discography.
Highlight tracks include "Knock Yourself Out," "The Price" and "Back On The Streets Again," which topically could have been recorded in the present era (certain parts of Oakland not having changed much since the day). Unlike other reviewers, I also like "Sparkling In The Sand," which may not seem to fit in at first glance but actually sets the template for their later classic ballads (i.e., "You're Still A Young Man").
And of course, there is only one Steve "The Funky Doctor" Kupka, whose gifts to the baritone sax are immeasurable.
All track info is in the comment section...
