Tower Of Power - Oakland Zone CD

Oakland Zone album for sale Recorded between 1972 & 1975. Includes liner notes by Kevin Phinney. Digitally remastered by Bill Inglott & Dan Hersch (DigiPrep). Usually, it's not a good sign if a band is generally known for augmenting artists instead of their own records, but Tower of Power was really a very good horn section, and they did make records that held their own. Of course, "What Is Hip?" was the biggest single they ever had, but they also had several other smaller hits that captured their sleek, stylized soul-funk quite well, such as "Soul Vaccination." Pretty much all of those songs are captured on Rhino's 2001 anthology The Very Best of Tower of Power: The Warner Years, which spans 16 tracks and contains almost all the highlights of their '70s records. Yes, the 1999 double-disc set What Is Hip? is more comprehensive, but that's really for serious listeners. For listeners that want a lean dose of the TOP's prime, this is the best collection on the market. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine Compilation producers: Emilio Castillo, Stephen "Doc" Kupka, Gary Peterson. Personnel: Willie Fulton, Bruce Conte (vocals, guitar); Lenny Pickett (vocals, flute, alto flute, piccolo, clarinet, contrabass clarinet, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, bass saxophone, lyricon); Skip Mesquite (vocals, flute, tenor saxophone); Stephen Kupka (vocals, oboe, English horn, baritone saxophone); Emilio Castillo (vocals, tenor saxophone); Mic Gillette (vocals, trumpet, piccolo trumpet, flugelhorn, French horn, trombone, bass trombone, baritone horn); Chester Thompson (vocals, piano, Fender Rhodes piano, Clavinet, organ); David Bartlett (vocals, drums); Brent Byars (vocals, congas, bongos); Hubert Tubbs, Rick Stevens, Lenny Williams (vocals); Bud Shank (flute, alto flute, piccolo, alto saxophone); David Duke , Richard Perissi, Vincent DeRosa, Tommy Shepard (French horn); Kell Houston, Frank Rosolino (trombone); Jay Spell (piano); David Garibaldi (drums); Carter Collins (congas); Pepper Watkins, Frank Biner, Ron Beck, Bootche Anderson, Alice Thompson, Roger Rifkind, Marilyn Scott (background vocals). Audio Remasterers: Dan Hersch; Bill Inglot. Liner Note Authors: Emilio Castillo; Kevin Phinney; Stephen Kupka. Recording information: Kaye (05/??/1972-09/15/1975); Record Plant, Sausalito, CA (05/??/1972-09/15/1975); Smith Studios, Seattle, WA (05/??/1972-09/15/1975); TMI Sound Studios, Memphis, TN (05/??/1972-09/15/1975); Wally Heider Recording Studios, San Francisco, CA (05/??/1972-09/15/1975). Photographer: Bruce Steinberg. Tower Of Power: Emilio Castillo (vocals, tenor saxophone); Lenny Williams, Rick Stevens, Hubert Tubbs (vocals); Bruce Conte, Willie Fulton (guitar); Lenny Pickett (flute, alto flute, soprano, alto, tenor & bass saxophones, clarinet, contrabass clarinet, lyricon); Skip Mesquite (flute, tenor saxophone); Stephen "Doc" Kupka (oboe, English horn, baritone saxophone); Mic Gillette (trumpet, piccolo trumpet, flugelhorn, trombone, bass trombone, French horn, baritone horn); Greg Adams (trumpet, flugelhorn, French horn, bells); Chester Thompson (piano, Fender Rhodes piano, Clavinet, organ, Arp synthesizer); Francis Rocco Prestia (bass); David Garibaldi, David Bartlett (drums); Brent Byars (congas, bongos). Producers: Ron Capone, Emilio Castillo, Tower Of Power.

Oakland Zone songs "What Is Hip?" is not the only significant hit from the album; the spirited shuffle "This Time It's Real" is a joyous groove guaranteed to put a spark in every heart. The down-and-dirty "Get Yo' Feet Back on the Ground" blends equal parts James Brown, Sly Stone, and Woody Herman's Thundering Herd. However, with its inventive lyrics, off-kilter rhythms, and athletic horn accents, "Soul Vaccination" is arguably the funkiest cut Tower Of Power ever committed to posterity. Add to this the classic ballad "So Very Hard to Go," and TOWER OF POWER is the very definition of Oakland soul music. With their self-titled third release, Tower Of Power cemented their place in popular music. The band was on the cutting edge of the funky '70s soul scene from the beginning. Featuring their famous monster horn section, an ultra-funky rhythm team, and new vocalist Lenny Williams, if you were allowed only one Tower Of Power album this would be the one to get. Live Recording Tower Of Power: Lenny Williams (vocals); Bruce Conte (guitar, background vocals); Lenny Pickett (flute, clarinet, tenor saxophone, background vocals); Stephen Kupka (oboe, baritone saxophone, background vocals); Emilio Castillo (tenor saxophone, background vocals); Mic Gillette (trumpet, flugelhorn, trombone, background vocals); Greg Adams (trumpet, flugelhorn, background vocals); Chester Thompson (organ, background vocals); Francis Rocco Prestia (bass); David Garibaldi (drums); Brent Byars (bongos, congas).

Oakland Zone CD music Flushed with the success of his first solo effort and the continuing adulation from his role in the supergroup CSNY, Stephen Stills must have felt like he could do no wrong, and in many instances, his second solo disc proves him right. The superb "Marianne" and "Change Partners" more than satisfy the listener, while the dark and brooding "Know You Got to Run" and the prophetic "Fishes and Scorpions" are prime examples of his power as a singer and a songwriter. But when he misses the mark, as on "Ecology Song," he misses it by a mile and then some. Besides that cut, "Bluebird Revisited" is pure self-indulgence that someone of his craft and technique should have known better than to include here -- or anywhere. But with CD players, one can omit anything offending and concentrate on what's good about Stephen Stills 2. Cut the disc in half, and you have a very enjoyable listening experience. As for the rest, well, let's just say you've been warned. ~ James Chrispell Out-of-print in the US. Q (8/00, p.123) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...Finds the singer/songwriter on the top of his game....blues-rock gold..." . Warner. Personnel: Stephen Stills (vocals, guitar, keyboards); Nils Lofgren (vocals, guitar, keyboards); David Crosby, Fuzzy Samuels, Henry Diltz, Fearless Freddy (vocals); Eric Clapton (guitar); Andrew Love, Ed Logan (saxophone, tenor saxophone); Floyd Newman, James Mitchell (saxophone, baritone saxophone); Sidney George (tenor saxophone); Roger Hopps (trumpet, horns); Wayne Jackson (trumpet); Jack Helm, Jack Hale (trombone); Wayne Johnson (horns); Dr. John, Mac Rebennack, Paul Harris , Billy Preston (keyboards); Dallas Taylor , Conrad Isadore (drums); Kwasi "Rocky" Dzidzornu, Gaspar Lawal (percussion); Sydney George (wind). Personnel: Stephen Stills (vocals, guitar, bass); Nils Lofgren (vocals, guitar, keyboards); David Crosby, Henry Diltz, Fearless Freddy (vocals); Eric Clapton (guitar); Mac Rebennack, Billy Preston, Paul Harris (keyboards); Calvin "Fuzzy" Samuels (bass); Dallas Taylor, Conrad Isidore (drums); Rocky Dijon, Gaspar Lawrawal (congas). The Memphis Horns: Andrew Love, Sidney George, Ed Logan (tenor saxophone); Floyd Newman, James Mitchell (baritone saxophone); Wayne Jackson, Roger Hopps (trumpet); Jack Helm (trombone);

Oakland Zone buy CD music Although 1975's A SONG FOR YOU was the last truly great Temptations album, it's a killer, and it should come as a revelation to anyone who thinks the band didn't do anything worthwhile after Dennis Edwards took over lead vocals following the departures of David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks. Edwards's gruffer voice does take a bit of getting used to for those accustomed to Ruffin and Kendricks's smooth sounds, but he's a fiery, impassioned lead singer. His delivery of the Leon Russell-written title track shreds not only the better-known Carpenters version, but also the Donny Hathaway rendition that many feel is definitive. The other highlight is the scorching "Shakey Ground," a cataclysmic funk powerhouse co-written by Funkadelic guitar legend Eddie Hazel, who delivers some searing solos on the track. Longtime Temptations fans consider this one of the group's finest albums, up there with CLOUD NINE and IN A MELLOW MOOD. Originally released on Gordy #969 in January 1975. Digitally remastered by Jeff Willens at PolyGram Studios. Recorded at Motown Recording Studio, Hollywood, California. Producers: Jeffrey Bowen, James Carmichael, Suzee Ikeda, Terry Woodford, Clayton Ivey. Engineers include: Russ Terrana, Art Stewart, Fred Ross. The Temptations: Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin, Dennis Edwards, Damon Harris, Richard Street (vocals). Additional personnel: Eddie Hazel, Melvin "Wah Wah" Hagin (guitar); Donald Baldwin (clarinet, saxophone, piano, clavinet, Moog); William Nelson (bass); Ollie E. Brown, Zachary Frazier, James Gadson (drums).

Oakland Zone songs One of the longest-lived American soul/R&B bands is Tower Of Power. Since the late 1960s, they've specialized in heartfelt romantic balladry and earthy, get-down funk, complete with their own horn section. To commemorate their 40th anniversary, the 2009 release GREAT AMERICAN SOULBOOK celebrates the classics that inspired them, including hits and rarities by Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, James Brown, and Aretha Franklin. Some top-drawer vocal guests, including British soul princess Joss Stone, Sam Moore of Sam & Dave, and Welsh soul-man Tom Jones, also join TOP on this special set. Audio Mixers: Clark Rigsby; Erik Zobler; Ryan Greene. Recording information: Blue 52 Studios, Burbank, CA; Chaton Recording Studio, Phoenix, AZ; Glenwood Place Studios, Burbank, CA; Le Gonks, West La Crosse, CA; Noise Studio, Las Vegas, NV; Rosco's Place, Sacramento, CA; Salmon Peak Recording Studio, San Antonio, TX. Photographer: Rob Shanahan. Tower of Power: Larry Braggs (vocals, background vocals); Tom Politzer (saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Emilio Castillo (tenor saxophone); Stephen "Doc" Kupka (baritone saxophone); Michael Bogart (trumpet, flugelhorn, trombone); Adolfo Acosta (trumpet, flugelhorn); Roger Smith (keyboards); Francis "Rocco" Prestia (bass instrument); David Garibaldi (drums, drum). Personnel: Huey Lewis, Joss Stone (vocals); Mark Harper , Bruce Conte (guitar); George Duke (keyboards); Charlean Carmon (background vocals).

Oakland Zone album for sale Recorded live at The Bitter End, New York, New York in January 1971 & WTTV-TV, Chicago, Illinois in September 1973. Originally released on Curton/Buddah (CRS-8005). Includes liner notes by David Nathan. Curtis/Live! is, simply, one of the greatest concert albums ever cut on a soul artist, and one of the legendary live albums of all time. Cut in January of 1971 during four nights at The Bitter End (then Greenwich Village's leading music venue) in New York, the resulting double LP transcended any expectations in both its programming and execution -- Mayfield performed numbers off of the Curtis album ("[Don't Worry] If There's a Hell Below We're All Going to Go"), as well as exciting and urgent new versions of songs originally performed by the Impressions ("We're a Winner," "People Get Ready," "Gypsy Woman"), plus a very moving R&B version of "We've Only Just Begun." This is all beautifully stripped-down work by a quintet consisting of Mayfield (vocals, guitar), Craig McMullen (guitar), Tyrone McCullen (drums), "Master" Henry Gibson (percussion), and Joseph "Lucky" Scott (bass) -- a solid, intense performance, with quietly elegant guitar playing against a rock-solid rhythm section, as Impressions hits are rethought and reconfigured in a new context, and Mayfield's early solo repertory comes to life in newer, longer live versions. [The British import from Sequel adds the complete contents of 1973's live Curtis in Chicago.] ~ Bruce Eder Digitally remastered by Dan Hersch (DigiPrep). Includes 2 Bonus Tracks Reissue producer: Michael Wesley Johnson. Personnel: Curtis Mayfield (vocals, guitar); Craig McMullen (guitar); Tyrone McCullen (drums). Audio Remasterer: Dan Hersch. Recording information: The Bitter End, New York, NY (01/1971-??/1971); WTTW-TV studios, Chicago, IL (01/1971-??/1971). Personnel: Curtis Mayfield (vocals, guitar); Craig McMullen (guitar); Joseph "Lucky" Scott (bass); Tyrone McCullen (drums); Henry Gibson (bongos, congas, tumbas). Producer: Curtis Mayfield.