Tower 1.4.11

Tower of Power, the definitive horn-driven funk band, celebrates its 50th anniversary with Soul Side of Town. Founding tenor saxophonist and composer Emilio Castillo is still at the helm, along with original baritone sax player Stephen "Doc" Kupka and a team of ace musicians who bring an easy confidence to the album's 14 tracks, highlighted by the instrumental workout "Butter Fried" and the punchy "Do It With Soul."

2013 five CD box set containing a quintet of albums packaged in cardboard mini LP sleeves and housed in a slipcase. Tower of Power has remained a significant Californian funk/soul/R&B horn band since its formation in 1968…

It does not take very long to realize that this is a nicely put together record. The singing is intense in somewhat of a Springsteen/David Eugene Edwards (Woven Hand) manner, but unique from them. The surrounding instrumentation weaves in and out in a folk rock manner at times and works as a full throttle rock band at others. The Singer-Songwriter category does not quite do justice to the songs. I would say rock fans will like this more than people wanting straight folk, but it has a good general appeal to both the crowds seeking lighter thoughtful material and those that want a good rock beat. The music is rather universal and what is truly interesting is that the California duo behind this band has historically done so much better in Europe than in the US. While I often can understand why some great European born music may not translate as well in the US (and vice versa), I have never understood why several great US bands (Wipers, 16 Horsepower) do so much better in Europe. Add this band to that list, as US listeners need to join in. I believe this album of eleven original songs comes with a bonus CD containing a full live set. (David Hintz)

This 1992 release features Holdsworth in conversation with usual compatriots Jimmy Johnson, Chad Wackerman, and Gary Husband. Keyboards are provided not only by Steve Hunt, but also by both Wackerman and Husband. Husband in particular demonstrates that his facility on the keyboards is equal to his skill on the drums. Despite the all-star cast of characters, there are certain peculiarities to Wardenclyffe Tower that prevent it from being numbered among Holdsworth's best work.

“NO MUSIC, NO LIFE. TOWER RECORDS 40th ANNIVERSARY” was compiled to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Tower Records. Here we select 40 gems that Tower Records buyers love over time and genres. The target age is not limited to the last 40 years, but since 1960 when Tower Records was founded in the United States. From Elvis Presley's “I can't help but like it” (1961) to Sam Smith's “Stay with me” (2013).