Tower Of Power
Tower Of Power
Written-By – D. Garibaldi, E. Castillo, S. Kupka
5:03
A2 Clever Girl
Written-By – E. Castillo, S. Kupka, W. Fulton
2:52
A3 This Time It's Real
Written-By – D. Bartlett, E. Castillo, S. Kupka
2:52
A4 Will I Ever Find A Love?
Written-By – E. Castillo, S. Kupka
3:48
A5 Get Yo' Feet Back On The Ground
Written-By – W. Fulton
4:51
B1 So Very Hard To Go
Written-By – E. Castillo, S. Kupka
3:37
B2 Soul Vaccination
Written-By – E. Castillo, S. Kupka
5:10
B3 Both Sorry Over Nothin'
Written-By – E. Castillo, L. Williams, S. Kupka
3:22
B4 Clean Slate
Written-By – E. Castillo, S. Kupka, W. Fulton
3:20
B5 Just Another Day
Written-By – B. Conte
4:38
Label:
Warner Bros. Records – BS 2681
Format:
Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1973
Genre: R&B Soul, Jazz
Style: Jazz-Funk, Seventies Soul
The 1973 self-titled album by Tower of Power is widely considered their definitive and most successful work, a classic of the funk and soul genres. It is lauded for its superb musicianship, the powerful horn section, and the arrival of lead vocalist Lenny Williams, which created a potent mix of hard-driving funk and smooth soul ballads.
The album peaked at No. 15 on the Billboard LPs chart and achieved gold record status. Reviewers and fans consistently praise the record for its quality and variety, often calling it the "one to own" in their catalog.
The album showcases the "machine-gun" bass lines of Francis "Rocco" Prestia and the technical, precise drumming of David Garibaldi, which are often studied by musicians and considered foundational to funk drumming.
The iconic Tower of Power horn section provides a full, brassy bite and tight, punctuating lines that are a signature of the band's sound.
The addition of Lenny Williams' warm, powerful, and soulful voice is credited with elevating the band, providing the perfect element to synthesize their musical ideas.
The album successfully blends intense funk workouts with more tender, orchestral soul ballads, proving the band could handle diverse styles with energy and style.
The album features several tracks that became career-defining anthems and major hits:
"What Is Hip?": An undisputed funk anthem known for its staccato bass line, driving groove, and witty lyrics asking a perennially relevant question.
"So Very Hard to Go": A sublime, soulful ballad that became their highest-charting single, reaching No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100.
"Soul Vaccination": A greasy, high-energy funk cut praised for its groove and socially conscious lyrics.
"This Time It's Real": A jaunty track that leans towards a Motown or Northern Soul shuffle, another successful single from the album.
Overall, the album is regarded as an all-killer, no-filler funk and soul classic that remains a must-have for fans of the genre.