Label: Artistry Music
20 March 2020
Durante casi 50 años, TOWER OF POWER ha estado creando su propio estilo de música soul. Desde 1968, la banda ha entregado su marca única a sus fans, recorriendo el mundo cada año. El sonido de Tower puede ser difícil de clasificar, pero el líder y miembro fundador de la banda, Emilio Castillo, ha etiquetado su sonido como "Urban Soul Music".
La sección de ritmo de Tower establece un ritmo como ninguna otra banda. El sonido impulsado por su poderosa sección de viento de la banda es único, y la forma en que abordan todo, desde escribir y organizar hasta mezclar e interpretar, es totalmente propia. Combina todo eso con un destacado vocalista principal y tendrás uno de los grupos de músicos más dinámicos que jamás haya subido al escenario.
Con Step Up, Tower of Power avanza hacia la próxima década del siglo XXI, manteniendo su continuo programa de giras y revitalización con la incorporación continua de nuevos talentos, especialmente el fenomenal joven vocalista principal, Marcus Scott, entre muchos otros. Marcus reemplazó al veterano cantante de TOP, Ray Greene, quien hace su última aparición con la banda en Step Up. También se inclina por el nuevo álbum el veterano bajista de 30 años, Francis ‘Rocco’ Prestia, que se aleja de la vida en la carretera y cuyo estilo de manejo con los dedos es reemplazado hábilmente en la gira por Marc Van Wageningen.
Desde el debut de la banda hasta Step Up, el sonido TOP se mantiene fiel a su visión musical original: llegar al pozo profundo y multidimensional de lo que en general se llama música soul y reunir todos sus componentes diversos en un sonido singular y emocional.
For close to 50 years, TOWER OF POWER has been creating their own kind of soul music. Since 1968, the band has delivered their unique brand of music to their fans, appearing before sold out crowds as they tour the world each year. Tower’s sound can be hard to categorize, but the band’s leader and founding member, Emilio Castillo, has labeled their sound as “Urban Soul Music.”
Tower’s rhythm section lays down a groove like no other band. The band’s horn-driven sound is unique, and the way they approach everything, from writing and arranging to mixing and performing, is totally their own. Combine all of that with an outstanding lead vocalist and you have one of the most dynamic groups of musicians to ever hit the stage.
With Step Up, Tower of Power forges on into the next decade of the 21st century, while keeping to its continuous hardcore tour schedule and ongoing reinvigoration with the continual addition of new talent, most notably the phenomenal young lead vocalist, Marcus Scott, among many others. Marcus replaced TOP’s longtime lead singer, Ray Greene, who makes his final appearance with the band on Step Up. Also taking his bows on the new album is 30-year TOP veteran bassist Francis ‘Rocco’ Prestia, who is stepping back from life on the road and whose driving fingerstyle funk is ably replaced on tour by Marc Van Wageningen.
From the band’s debut up to Step Up, the TOP sound remains true to their original musical vision: reach inside the deep, multidimensional well of what is broadly called soul music and bring together all its diverse components in a singular, emotional sound.
Credits:
Emilio Castillo – bandleader; 2nd tenor sax (all tracks); lead vocal (6, 11); background vocals (all tracks)
Stephen “Doc” Kupka – baritone sax (all tracks)
Francis Rocco Prestia – bass (all tracks)
David Garibaldi – drums (all tracks); timbales (1, 7, 12), solo (14)
Roger Smith – Hammond B3 organ (all tracks except 6), solo (1–3); keyboards (6, 9, 13), solo (5, 6); lead vocal (7)
Jerry Cortez – rhythm guitars (all tracks), solo (2, 3, 6, 10, 14); baritone guitar (2, 6, 11); 12-string guitar (2); slide guitar (3, 6, 9); electric sitar (4); lap steel guitar (8); background vocals (1, 4, 7, 13, 14)
Tom Politzer – 1 st tenor sax (all tracks), solo (1, 4–6, 8–10, 12–14); alto sax solo (3, 11)
Adolfo Acosta – trumpet (all tracks), solo (1, 14); flugelhorn (4–6), solo (8)
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Tracklist
1. East Bay! All the Way!
2. Step Up
3. The Story of You and I
4. Who Would Have Thought?
5. Addicted to You
6. Look in My Eyes
7. You Da One
8. Sleeping with You Baby
9. If It’s Tea Give Me Coffee
10. Beyond My Wildest Dreams
11. Any Excuse Will Do
12. If You Wanna be a Winner
13. Let’s Celebrate Our Love
14. East Bay! Oaktown All the Way!
