Soul With a Capital S: Best of Tower of Power
Although they scored in the mid-'70s with hits like the sublime "So Very Hard to Go" and the cynical funk-monster classic "What Is Hip?," Oakland, California's Tower of Power always seemed to find more respect among their musician peers than the public at large. Indeed, they spent the '80s without a record label. This collection helps fill a glaring gap in the band's history and should go a long way toward burnishing their ongoing legacy. Culled from TOP's late-'70s post-Warner releases on Sony and subsequent '90s tenure at Epic, the tracks here showcase a band whose powerhouse groove and legendary chops seldom faltered during a period beset by problems both business and personal. With the core writing team of tenor saxist/vocalist Emilio Castillo and baritone sax anchor Stephen "Doc" Kupka still turning out gems like the upbeat "Attitude Dance," the funk-fueled "So I Got to Groove," and the gospel-tinged "Ain't Nothin' Stoppin' Us Now," the band's shifting lead singers and personnel changes maintain the consistency that has helped make them a legend. If the dated "Funk the Dumb Stuff" and perhaps one ballad too many undercut the collection a bit, powerful 1998 live renditions of the two aforementioned Warner hits, along with their contemporary hit, "You're Still a Young Man," showcase TOP's still-awesome stage presence. Old school maybe; magna cum laude for sure.--Jerry McCulley