TOWER OF POWER - T.O.P. [1993] FLAC

This 1993 effort marked a strong comeback for the group, who started with 1991's Monster on a Leash. T.O.P. continues the formula with great results. The reason for the revitalization can be directly attributed to the energetic, Stevie Wonder-influenced lead singer, Tom Bowes. The hard-driving, James Brown-derived funk of "Soul With a Capital S" and "I Like Your Style" update the band's classic horn-driven sound and is augmented by not only Bowes but Francis "Rocco" Prestia's amazing and soulful bass work. The ballads -- like "Quiet Scream," "Please Come Back to Stay," and arguably the best, "Come to a Decision" -- underscore the fact that this version of Tower of Power was the first in years that was equally adept with slower songs and up-tempo offerings. T.O.P. also has other members doing lead vocal chores. Group co-founder Emilio Castillo leads on the hammy and fun "Come on With It" and guitarist Carmen Grillo assumes lead on the melodic and smooth "You." Former member, saxophonist Lenny "L.P." Pickett, shows up for five tracks. Produced by Castillo, T.O.P. not only made an album to stand with Monster on a Leash, but also other classics like Urban Renewal and Ain't Nothing Stopping Us Now.  by Jason Elias 
Tracklist 
1 Soul With A Capital "S" 4:59
Written-By – E. Castillo, S. Kupka
2  It All Comes Back  3:55
Written-By – B. Kent, G. Adams, J. McCurry, N. Jason
3  Please Come Back (To Stay)  5:28
Written-By – E. Castillo, N. Milo, S. Kupka
4  The Real Deal  4:30
Written-By – E. Castillo, N. Milo, S. Kupka
5  Come To A Decision  5:32
Written-By – C. Grillo
6  Cruise Control  5:04
Written-By – G. Adams, N. Milo
7  The Educated Bump Part I  0:54
Written-By – E. Castillo, R. McKinnon, S. Kupka
8  Mama Lied  3:35
Written By – B. MacPhearson
Written-By – E. Castillo, P. Gentili, S. Kupka
9  Quiet Scream  4:21
Written-By – B. Kent, G. Adams
10  I Like Your Style  4:19
Written-By – E. Castillo, N. Milo, S. Kupka
11  You  4:31
Written-By – C. Grillo, T. Keane
12  South Of The Boulevard 5:59
Written-By – E. Castillo, S. Kupka
13  Come On With It 4:52
Written-By – E. Castillo, S. Kupka
14  The Educated Bump Part II
Written-By – E. Castillo, R. McKinnon, S. Kupka
Credits 
Arranged By [Horns] – Greg Adams
Baritone Saxophone – Stephen "Doc" Kupka
Bass – Francis Rocco Prestia
Drums – Russ McKinnon
Guitar – Carmen Grillo
Keyboards – Nick Milo
Percussion – Poncho Sanchez (tracks: 11, 12) 
Saxophone – Paul Perez
Saxophone, Soloist [Saxophone] – Brandon Fields (tracks: 6), Lenny Pickett (tracks: 2, 4, 7, 12, 13, 14) 
Tenor Saxophone – Emilio Castillo
Trombone – Lee Thornburg
Trumpet – Greg Adams, Lee Thornburg
Vocals – Tom Bowes

 TOWER OF POWER - T.O.P. 

[1993] BMG / FLAC / scans

O Púbis da Rosa

TOWER OF POWER – Urban Renewal (1975-1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tower of Power was very much in its prime in 1974, when the Bay Area outfit tore up the soul charts with the outstanding Urban Renewal. Lenny Williams, a passionate, wailing, gospel-influenced dynamo of a singer, had joined Tower the previous year, and he worked out remarkably well; whether digging into tough funk or romantic ballads, Williams is in top form. Funk doesn't get much more invigorating than horn-driven gems like "Maybe It'll Rub Off," "Give Me the Proof" and "Only So Much Oil in the Ground" (a commentary on the mid-'70s energy crisis), and soul ballads don't get much richer than "Willing to Learn" and "I Won't Leave Unless You Want Me To." Tower (an influence on everyone from L.T.D. to the Average White Band) recorded a number of essential albums in the '70s, and Urban Renewal is at the top of the list. Alex Henderson
Tracklist  :
1 Only So Much Oil In The Ground  3:46
Written-By – Emilio Castillo, Stephen Kupka
2 Come Back, Baby  3:21
Written-By – Bruce Conte, Lenny Williams
3 It's Not The Crime  1:45
Written-By – Emilio Castillo, Stephen Kupka
4 I Won't Leave Unless You Want Me To  3:28
Written-By – Emilio Castillo, Greg Adams, Stephen Kupka
5 Maybe It'll Rub Off  3:15
Written-By – Chester Thompson, Emilio Castillo, Stephen Kupka
6 (To Say The Least) You're The Most  2:28
Written-By – Johnny Watson
7 Willing To Learn  4:35
Congas – Carter Collins
Drums – David Garibaldi
Written-By – Emilio Castillo, Stephen Kupka
8 Give Me The Proof  2:35
Written-By – David Bartlett
9 It Can Never Be The Same  4:43
Written-By – Bruce Conte, Kuptillo
10 I Believe In Myself  2:00
Written-By – Emilio Castillo, Stephen Kupka
11 Walkin' Up Hip Street  5:30
Soloist, Trumpet – Mic Gillette
Written-By, Arranged By – Chester Thompson 
Credits
Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone [1st], Soloist [All], Flute [Alto], Clarinet, Bass Clarinet – Lenny Pickett
Baritone Saxophone – Stephen Kupka
Bass – Francis Rocco Prestia
Concertmaster – Gerald Vinci
Drums, Vocals – David Bartlett
Guitar, Vocals – Bruce Conte
Lead Vocals – Lenny Williams
Organ, Pedalboard [Bass Pedals], Piano, Clavinet, Synthesizer [Arp], Vocals – Chester Thompson
Tenor Saxophone [2nd], Vocals – Emilio Castillo
Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Arranged By [Strings], Conductor [Strings] – Greg Adams
Trumpet, Trombone, Vocals – Mic Gillette