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Trudno w to uwierzyć, ale kalifornijska formacja Tower of Power obchodzi w tym roku 50-rocznicę istnienia! Od końca lat 60-tych grupa stanowi niedościgniony wzorzec dla kolejnych pokoleń artystów związanych z soulem, funkiem i r'n'b, a jej muzyka stanowi kwintesencję gatunku. Miłośnicy zespołu na wydany w tym miesiącu album "Soul Side of Town" czekali aż dziewięć lat. Warto było tak długo czekać, bowiem 14 nowych nagrań Tower of Power przynosi muzykę pełną rozmachu i energii, do jakiej zespół przyzwyczaił nas w ciągu półwiecza działalności. Skład grupy ulegał wielu transformacjom, a przez jego szeregi przewinęła się cała rzesza wyjątkowych artystów, jak m.in. Dave Mathews i Chester Thompson. Do dziś jednak trzon 10-osobowego składu zespołu stanowią jego założyciele: saksofonista i wokalista Emilio Castillo, Stephen "Doc" Kupka (saksofon), basista Francis Rocco Prestia i perkusista David Garibaldi.
Tower of Power – the most dynamic and distinctive band of survivors in Soul Music – is roaring into its unprecedented 50th anniversary with a dynamic new disc of all new material. A labor of love, definitively titled Soul Side of Town, this package is charged with 14 filler-free songs. As always, the songs on Tower of Power’s Soul Side of Town were primarily composed by the hit-making team of founding members Emilio Castillo and Stephen “Doc” Kupka who also hold down the world famous 5-man Tower of Power Horns. For the special occasion of Tower of Power’s 50th anniversary, leader Emilio Castillo brought in a most-astute choice in co-producer, Joe Vannelli in addition to mastering engineer Bernie Grundman. Along with the legendary rhythm section drums and bass lock of David Garibaldi and Francis Rocco Prestia, respectively, TOP consists of guitarist Jerry Cortez, Hammond B3 organist/keyboardist Roger Smith, 1st tenor saxophonist Tom Politzer, and trumpeters Adolfo Acosta and Sal Cracchiolo. Soul Side of Town is also blessed with not one but two lead singers: outgoing Ray Greene and incoming Marcus Scott (boldly introduced on several selections, including “Hangin’ With My Baby”). The 10-piece Tower of Power band is prepared to throw down with a celebratory tour that will include sweet spots around the globe.
‘Tower of Power, the ten-piece soul-jazz outfit from Oakland, California play as tight as a chain-link fence, with not a weak link in sight. There's something in the band's DNA that makes the toughest, tightest arrangements flow with deceptive ease - the synchronization is impeccable; their feel for the soul and funk traditions is continually refreshed and revitalized.’ – London Jazz News
