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{{for|the 1969 Dexter Gordon album|The Tower of Power!}}
{{for|the 1969 Dexter Gordon album|The Tower of Power!}}
{{Infobox album <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Albums -->
{{Infobox album
| Name = Tower of Power
| name = Tower of Power
| Type = [[Album]]
| type = [[Album]]
| Artist = [[Tower of Power]]
| artist = [[Tower of Power]]
| Cover = Toptop.jpg
| cover = Toptop.jpg
| alt =
| Released = May 1973<ref name="Billboard">{{cite journal |last1= |first1= |last2= |first2= |date=May 26, 1973 |title=Tower of Power (Advertisement) |journal=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |publisher=Billboard Publications, Inc. |volume= |issue= |pages=1, 52 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=HgkEAAAAMBAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false |doi= }}</ref>
| released = May 1973<ref name="Billboard">{{cite magazine |date=May 26, 1973 |title=Tower of Power (Advertisement) |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |publisher=Billboard Publications, Inc. |pages=1, 52 |url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_HgkEAAAAMBAJ }}</ref>
| Recorded = 1973
| recorded = 1973
| Genre = [[Soul music|Soul]], [[funk]], [[jazz-funk]]
| Length = 39:56
| venue =
| studio =
| Label = [[Warner Bros. Records|Warner Bros.]]
| Producer = [[Tower of Power]]
| genre = [[Soul music|Soul]], [[funk]], [[jazz-funk]]
| length = 39:56
| Last album = ''[[Bump City]]''<br />(1972)
| label = [[Warner Bros. Records|Warner Bros.]]
| This album = '''''Tower of Power'''''<br />(1973)
| Next album = ''[[Back to Oakland]]''<br />(1974)
| producer = [[Tower of Power]]
| prev_title = [[Bump City]]
| prev_year = 1972
| next_title = [[Back to Oakland]]
| next_year = 1974
}}
}}
{{Album ratings
{{Album ratings
| rev1 =[[Allmusic]]
| rev1 =[[Allmusic]]
| rev1Score = {{Rating|4.5|5}} <ref>{{Allmusic|class=album|id=r20346/review|pure_url=yes}}</ref>
| rev1Score = {{Rating|4.5|5}} <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/r20346/review|title=Tower of Power - Tower of Power - Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards - AllMusic|author=Ron Wynn|work=AllMusic|access-date=7 November 2014}}</ref>
| rev2 = ''[[Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies|Christgau's Record Guide]]''
| rev2Score = B<ref name="CG">{{cite book|last=Christgau|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Christgau|year=1981|title=[[Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies]]|publisher=[[Ticknor & Fields]]|isbn=089919026X|chapter=Consumer Guide '70s: T|chapter-url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/get_chap.php?k=T&bk=70|access-date=March 16, 2019|via=robertchristgau.com}}</ref>
}}
}}


'''''Tower of Power''''' is the third album release for the Oakland-based band, [[Tower of Power]]. This is their most successful album to date, which was released in May 1973.
'''''Tower of Power''''' is the third album release for the Oakland-based band, [[Tower of Power]]. This is their most successful album to date, which was released in May 1973.


The album peaked at No. 15 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' Top LPs]] chart in 1973 and received a gold record award for sales in excess of 500,000. The album spawned their most successful single, "So Very Hard to Go". The single peaked at No. 17 during the week of July 28, 1973 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]. Two other singles from the album also charted on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100: "This Time It's Real" and "What Is Hip?". It marked the debut of [[Lenny Williams]] being the lead vocalist (though Williams had a solo career prior to joining T.O.P., plus he co-penned the song "You Strike My Main Nerve" from the previous album ''[[Bump City]]''). ''Tower of Power'' also introduced the world to saxophonist and future [[Saturday Night Live]] band leader, [[Lenny Pickett]], who was the youngest member of the band at the time, replacing original lead sax player Skip Mesquite. Also joining the lineup was organist/keyboardist Chester Thompson and guitarist [[Bruce Conte]], who replaced original guitarist Willie James Fulton.
The album peaked at No. 15 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' Top LPs]] chart in 1973 and received a gold record award for sales in excess of 500,000. The album spawned their most successful single, "[[So Very Hard to Go]]". The single peaked at No. 17 during the week of July 28, 1973 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]. Two other singles from the album also charted on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100: "This Time It's Real" and "What Is Hip?". It marked the debut of [[Lenny Williams]] being the lead vocalist (though Williams had a solo career prior to joining T.O.P., plus he co-penned the song "You Strike My Main Nerve" from the previous album ''[[Bump City]]''). ''Tower of Power'' was also the first Tower of Power album to feature future ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' band leader [[Lenny Pickett]], who was the youngest member of the band at the time, replacing original lead sax player Skip Mesquite. Also joining the lineup were organist/keyboardist Chester Thompson and guitarist [[Bruce Conte]], who replaced original guitarist Willie James Fulton.


== Track listing ==
== Track listing ==
All songs written by Emilio Castillo and Stephen "Doc" Kupka except when noted.
All songs written by Emilio Castillo and Stephen "Doc" Kupka except when noted.
# "What Is Hip?" (Castillo, Kupka, Garibaldi) - 5:08
# "What Is Hip?" (Castillo, Kupka, David Garibaldi) - 5:08
# "Clever Girl" (Castillo, Kupka, Fulton) - 2:56
# "Clever Girl" (Castillo, Kupka, Willie Fulton) - 2:56
# "This Time It's Real" (David Bartlett, Castillo, Kupka) - 2:54
# "This Time It's Real" (David Bartlett, Castillo, Kupka) - 2:54
# "Will I Ever Find a Love?" – 3:51
# "Will I Ever Find a Love?" – 3:51
# "Get Yo' Feet Back on the Ground" (Fulton) - 4:52
# "Get Yo' Feet Back on the Ground" (Fulton) - 4:52
# "So Very Hard to Go" – 3:41
# "[[So Very Hard to Go]]" – 3:41
# "Soul Vaccination" – 5:13
# "Soul Vaccination" – 5:13
# "Both Sorry Over Nothin'" (Castillo, Kupka, Williams) - 3:25
# "Both Sorry Over Nothin'" (Castillo, Kupka, Lenny Williams) - 3:25
# "Clean Slate" (Castillo, Kupka, Fulton) - 3:22
# "Clean Slate" (Castillo, Kupka, Fulton) - 3:22
# "Just Another Day" (Conte) - 4:34
# "Just Another Day" (Bruce Conte) - 4:34


== Personnel ==
== Personnel ==
'''Tower of Power'''
*[[Greg Adams (musician)|Greg Adams]] – Strings, Trumpet, Arranger, Conductor, Flugelhorn, Horn, Vocals, String Arrangements
*Brent Byars – Bongos, Conga
* [[Lenny Williams]] – lead vocals
* Chester Thompson – [[Electric organ|organ]], backing vocals
*[[Emilio Castillo]] – Saxophone (Tenor), Vocals, Production Supervisor
*Bruce Conte – Guitar, Vocals
* [[Bruce Conte]] – guitars, backing vocals
* [[Francis Rocco Prestia]] – bass
*[[David Garibaldi (musician)|David Garibaldi]] – Drums
* [[David Garibaldi (musician)|David Garibaldi]] – drums
*[[Mic Gillette]] – Trombone, Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Horn, Baritone, Vocals
* Brent Byars – [[Bongo drum|bongos]], [[conga]]s
*[[Stephen "Doc" Kupka]] – Oboe, Saxophone (Baritone), Vocals
* [[Stephen "Doc" Kupka]] – baritone saxophone, [[oboe]], backing vocals
*[[Lenny Pickett]] – Clarinet, Flute, Saxophone (Tenor), Vocals
* [[Lenny Pickett]] – [[clarinet]], [[flute]], first tenor saxophone, backing vocals
*[[Rocco Prestia|Francis "Rocco" Prestia]] – Bass
* [[Emilio Castillo]] – second tenor saxophone, backing vocals
*Jay Spell – Piano
* [[Mic Gillette]] – trombone, trumpet, flugelhorn, [[baritone horn]], backing vocals
*Bruce Steinberg – Harmonica, Art Direction, Design, Photography, Illustrations, Cover Design
* [[Greg Adams (musician)|Greg Adams]] – trumpet, flugelhorn, string arrangements and conductor, backing vocals
*Chester Thompson – Organ, Keyboards, Vocals
*[[Lenny Williams]] – Vocals


'''Additional musicians'''
==Charts==
* Jay Spell – acoustic piano
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
* Bruce Steinberg – [[harmonica]]
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Album
! colspan="2"| Chart positions<ref name="allmusic albums">{{Cite web|url={{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p5677/charts-awards/billboard-albums|pure_url=yes}}|title=Tower Of Power US albums chart history|publisher=allmusic.com|accessdate=2011-06-23}}</ref>
|- style="font-size:smaller;"
! width="40"| [[Billboard 200|US]]
! width="40"| [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums|US<br>R&B]]
|-
| rowspan="1"| 1972
| align="left"| ''Bump City ''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="1"| 1973
| align="left"| ''Tower of Power ''
| 15
| 11
|-
|}


===Singles===
== Production ==
* Tower of Power – producers
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
* Emilio Castillo – supervising producer
|-
* Jim Gaines – recording, mixing
! rowspan="2"| Year
* Alan Chinowsky – mix assistant
! rowspan="2"| Single
* Bruce Steinberg – design, illustration, photography
! colspan="3"| Chart positions<ref name="allmusic singles">{{Cite web|url={{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p5677/charts-awards/billboard-singles|pure_url=yes}}|title=Tower Of Power US singles chart history|publisher=allmusic.com|accessdate=2011-06-23}}</ref>
|- style="font-size:smaller;"
! width="40"| [[Billboard Hot 100|US]]
! width="40"| [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|US<br>R&B]]
! width="40"| [[Hot Dance Club Songs|US<br>Dance]]
|-
| rowspan="2"|1972
| align="left"|"Your Still A Young Man"
| &mdash;
|
|
|-
| rowspan="2"|1973
| align="left"|"So Very Hard to Go"
| 17
| 11
| &mdash;
|-
| align="left"| "This Time It's Real"
| 65
| 27
| &mdash;
|-
| rowspan="1"|1974
| align="left"| "What Is Hip?"
| 91
| 39
| &mdash;
|-
|}


==References==
==References==
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* [http://www.discogs.com/Tower-Of-Power-Tower-Of-Power/master/151536 Tower Of Power-Tower Of Power at Discogs]
* [http://www.discogs.com/Tower-Of-Power-Tower-Of-Power/master/151536 Tower Of Power-Tower Of Power at Discogs]
{{Tower of Power}}
{{Tower of Power}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1973 albums]]
[[Category:1973 albums]]
[[Category:Tower of Power albums]]
[[Category:Tower of Power albums]]
[[Category:Warner Bros. Records albums]]
[[Category:Warner Records albums]]

Latest revision as of 17:48, 18 August 2023

For the 1969 Dexter Gordon album, see The Tower of Power!
Tower of Power
Studio album by
Tower of Power
ReleasedMay 1973[1]
Recorded1973
GenreSoul, funk, jazz-funk
Length39:56
LabelWarner Bros.
ProducerTower of Power
Tower of Power chronology
Bump City
(1972) 		Tower of Power
(1973) 		Back to Oakland
(1974)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic [2]
Christgau's Record GuideB[3]

Tower of Power is the third album release for the Oakland-based band, Tower of Power. This is their most successful album to date, which was released in May 1973.

The album peaked at No. 15 on the Billboard Top LPs chart in 1973 and received a gold record award for sales in excess of 500,000. The album spawned their most successful single, "So Very Hard to Go". The single peaked at No. 17 during the week of July 28, 1973 on the Billboard Hot 100. Two other singles from the album also charted on the Billboard Hot 100: "This Time It's Real" and "What Is Hip?". It marked the debut of Lenny Williams being the lead vocalist (though Williams had a solo career prior to joining T.O.P., plus he co-penned the song "You Strike My Main Nerve" from the previous album Bump City). Tower of Power was also the first Tower of Power album to feature future Saturday Night Live band leader Lenny Pickett, who was the youngest member of the band at the time, replacing original lead sax player Skip Mesquite. Also joining the lineup were organist/keyboardist Chester Thompson and guitarist Bruce Conte, who replaced original guitarist Willie James Fulton.

Track listing

[edit]

All songs written by Emilio Castillo and Stephen "Doc" Kupka except when noted.

  1. "What Is Hip?" (Castillo, Kupka, David Garibaldi) - 5:08
  2. "Clever Girl" (Castillo, Kupka, Willie Fulton) - 2:56
  3. "This Time It's Real" (David Bartlett, Castillo, Kupka) - 2:54
  4. "Will I Ever Find a Love?" – 3:51
  5. "Get Yo' Feet Back on the Ground" (Fulton) - 4:52
  6. "So Very Hard to Go" – 3:41
  7. "Soul Vaccination" – 5:13
  8. "Both Sorry Over Nothin'" (Castillo, Kupka, Lenny Williams) - 3:25
  9. "Clean Slate" (Castillo, Kupka, Fulton) - 3:22
  10. "Just Another Day" (Bruce Conte) - 4:34

Personnel

[edit]

Tower of Power

Additional musicians

  • Jay Spell – acoustic piano
  • Bruce Steinberg – harmonica

Production

[edit]
  • Tower of Power – producers
  • Emilio Castillo – supervising producer
  • Jim Gaines – recording, mixing
  • Alan Chinowsky – mix assistant
  • Bruce Steinberg – design, illustration, photography

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Tower of Power (Advertisement)". Billboard. Billboard Publications, Inc. May 26, 1973. pp. 1, 52.
  2. ^ Ron Wynn. "Tower of Power - Tower of Power - Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  3. ^ Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: T". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved March 16, 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
[edit]
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