Tower Of Power – Step Up (LP Vinyl)
Review
After 52 years of relentless touring and recording, Tower of Power needs no introduction. The Oakland groove machine is still in top form, kicking things off with "East Bay! All the Way!"—a percussion-heavy welcome that allows the horn section to loosen up a bit while still boasting a brief tenor sax solo from Tom Politzer. That euphoric vibe is evident on every tune, giving Step Up the feel of a well-constructed live performance. Trombone player Ray Greene opens the title song with a yelp of joy, before delivering a stirring lead vocal that advises listeners to stay strong—"No matter what!" The jubilant backing vocals of Leah Meux and Tiwana Porter support the chattering rhythm guitar work of Jerry Cortez, pushing the tune into overdrive. Greene also sings lead on "Addicted to You," a swinging R&B outing, with echoes of the sweeping orchestral sounds of a Philly Soul hit from the early '70s. Throughout, Greene, Porter and Meux swap increasingly cheerful vocal ornamentations, as Roger Smith's whistling keyboard solo and the ensemble's horn stabs build up to a satisfying climax. Other standouts include: "Sleeping With You Baby," a mid-tempo ballad with Adolfo Acosta adding steamy trumpet fills to the lead vocals of Marcus Scott, "Let's Celebrate Our Love," with Smith's piano and the band's backing vocals complimenting Scott's soulful growl, and "Any Excuse Will Do," an ironic commentary of the current political situation, with a shouting, funky gospel feel that recalls Sly and the Family Stone.
— J. Poet, Relix
Product Details
Oakland's Tower of Power has been one of the most consistently powerful live bands in America since the early 1970s, and their horn section remains the gold standard that countless musicians have studied and emulated for decades. Step Up finds them doing what they've always done best, pushing forward with the same locked-in groove and punishing brass that made "What Is Hip?" a permanent part of the funk canon.
Double vinyl LP pressing. 2020 release. With a landmark 50th anniversary album, 2018's Soul Side of Town, still visible in their rearview mirror, one would think Tower of Power, the much-lauded creators of their own horn-based, hybrid brand of East Bay soul/funk/R&B/rock, would take a well-deserved breather. But that is not in the band's DNA, nor that of it's founder and ringmaster, tenor saxophonist and bandleader Emilio Castillo. Now, with Step Up, the band forges on into the next decade of the 21st century reinvigorated with the addition of new talent, most notably the phenomenal young lead vocalist, Marcus Scott. 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 Emilio's original musical vision: reach inside the deep, multidimensional well of what is broadly called soul music and bring together all it's diverse components in a singular, emotional sound.
Tracklist
UPC: 181475706717
Label: Artistry Music
Release Date: 3.20.20
Format: LP Vinyl