What Is Hip?: The Tower Of Power Anthology CD

Recorded between 1971 and 1998. Includes liner notes by Kevin Phinney.

Over its 30-plus year existence, Oakland's Tower Of Power has established itself as the premiere bastion of true soul and funk in modern music. This ANTHOLOGY represents the best cuts from the group's long and storied history. Although founders Emilio Castillo and Stephen "Doc" Kupka have weathered almost as many personnel changes as years the band has survived, they have always stuck to their original brand of "funkifized" soul with emphasis on their world-famous horn section. With no signs of slowing down, it is evident that the milestone represented by this collection is only one of many more to come.

From the early days of hits like "What is Hip" and "Down to the Nightclub," to later favorites like "Soul With a Capital 'S'" and "So I Got to Groove," Tower Of Power has never apologized for its unabashed continuation of the funk of James Brown. Added to this mix are the moving ballads like "You're Still a Young Man" and "Willing to Learn" that grabbed an even wider audience of R&B lovers. Other favorites included in this mammoth set are the ultra-funky "Soul Vaccination," the signature instrumental "Oakland Stroke," and the instant party classic "Souled Out."

Additional personnel includes: Bud Shank (piccolo, flute, alto flute, alto saxophone); Ken Balzell (trumpet); Frank Rosolino, Tom Shepard (trombone); Jay Spell (piano); Marilyn Scott, Alice Thompson, Bootche Anderson, Pepper Watkins, David Bartlett, Ron Beck, Frank Biner, Roger Rifkind (background vocals).

Digitally remastered by Dan Hersch (DigiPrep).

Producers include: David Rubinson, Ron Capone, Tower Of Power, Emilio Castillo, Steve Cropper.

Compilation producers: Emilio Castillo, Michelle Zarin, Stephen "Doc" Kupka, Gary Peterson, David McLees.

Engineers include: David Rubinson, Ron Capone, Jim Gaines.

Tower Of Power includes: Emilio Castillo (vocals, alto & tenor saxophones); Lenny Williams, Brent Carter (vocals); Carmen Grillo (guitar, background vocals); Lenny Pickett (piccolo, flute, alto & bass flutes, clarinet, contrabass clarinet, soprano, alto, tenor & bass saxophones, lyricon, synthesizer); Stephen "Doc" Kupka (oboe, English horn, baritone saxophone, background vocals); Greg Adams (trumpet, flugelhorn, French horn, piano, bells, background vocals); Chester Thompson (piano, Fender Rhodes piano, organ, Clavinet, synthesizer, bass pedals, background vocals); David Garibaldi (vibraphone, drums, Syndrums, background vocals); Francis Rocco Prestia (bass); Russ McKinnon (drums, percussion).

2 Cds