Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
The crucial subtitle missing is that this is the best of Tower of Power on Columbia, not a career-spanning anthology that takes in their material with other labels. Since their most popular stuff was done for Warner Brothers, that creates quite a problem when you're representing this material in particular as their best. With the understanding that this disc is limited to their Columbia catalog, it's a decent selection, through chronologically haphazard, drawing from the '90s, the late '70s, and nothing else. For the most part it's competent funk, a little too heavy on the feets-don't-fail-me now braggadocio, as on "Attitude Dance." Yes, there are versions of their well-known "So Very Hard to Go" and "What Is Hip?," but take caution: these are 1998 live recordings, not the famous originals. There's a previously unreleased alternate mix of "I Love That Girl So Much" from the sessions for their 1979 album, Back on the Streets, and it would be a pretty heavy price to pay for the whole disc just to get that one track, even for insistent completists. Very Best of the Warner Years and the more extensive What Is Hip? remain far better best-of compilations on this band.
© Richie Unterberger /TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From £10.83/month
Tower Of Power, Performer - Tom Bowes, Vocal - Stephen Kupka, Baritone Saxophone - Carmen Grillo, Background Vocal - Carmen Grillo, Guitar - E. Castillo, Composer - E. Castillo, Lyricist - Russ McKinnon, Percussion - Russ McKinnon, Drums - Greg Adams, Background Vocal - Greg Adams, Arranger - Greg Adams, Trumpet - Greg Adams, Flugelhorn - Bob Loftus, 2nd Engineer - S. Kupka, Composer - S. Kupka, Lyricist - Rocco Prestia, Bass - Steve Grove, Alto Saxophone - Steve Grove, Tenor Saxophone - Doug Sax, Mastering Engineer - Lee Thornburg, Background Vocal - Lee Thornburg, Trumpet - Lee Thornburg, Trombone - Lee Thornburg, Flugelhorn - Nick Milo, Keyboards - Emilio Castillo, Producer - Emilio Castillo, Background Vocal - Emilio Castillo, Tenor Saxophone - Al Schmitt, Recording Engineer
(P) 1991 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Pat Rodman, 2nd Engineer - Ken Kessie, Recording Engineer - Emilio Castillo, Producer - Emilio Castillo, Background Vocal - Emilio Castillo, Tenor Saxophone - Danny Alonso, 2nd Engineer - S. Kupka, Composer - S. Kupka, Lyricist - Carmen Grillo, Guitar - Carmen Grillo, Background Vocal - Maureen Droney, Recording Engineer - Pete Magdaleno, 2nd Engineer - Stephen 'Doc' Kupka, Baritone Saxophone - Francis 'Rocco' Prestia, Bass - Maureen Droney, Coordinator - Ken Kessie, Mixing Engineer - Tower Of Power, Performer - Lee Thornburg, Background Vocal - Lee Thornburg, Trumpet - Lee Thornburg, Trombone - Lee Thornburg, Flugelhorn - Danny Alonso, Engineer - E. Castillo, Composer - E. Castillo, Lyricist - Greg Adams, Trumpet - Greg Adams, Flugelhorn - Greg Adams, Arranger - Vlado Meller, Mastering Engineer - Russ McKinnon, Percussion - Russ McKinnon, Drums - Louie Teran, 2nd Engineer - Tom Bowes, Vocal - Tom Bowes, Background Vocal - John Jackson, 2nd Engineer - Paul Perez, Tenor - Paul Perez, Alto Saxophone - Randy Long, 2nd Engineer - Nick Milo, Keyboards - Jerry Manuel, Mixing Engineer - Michael Caplan, Executive Producer
(P) 1993 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Emilio Castillo, Background Vocal - Emilio Castillo, Producer - S. Kupka, Lyricist - S. Kupka, Composer - Carmen Grillo, Background Vocal - Carmen Grillo, Guitar - M. McClain, Composer - M. McClain, Lyricist - Emilo Castillo, Tenor Saxophone - Francis Rocco Prestia, Bass - Ken Kessie, Recording Engineer - Stephen Kupka, Baritone Saxophone - Tower Of Power, Performer - Bill Churchville, Flugelhorn - Bill Churchville, Trumpet - Bill Churchville, Trombone - E. Castillo, Lyricist - E. Castillo, Composer - Barry Danielian, Trumpet - Barry Danielian, Flugelhorn - Trent Slatton, 2nd Engineer - David Mann, Tenor Saxophone - David Mann, Alto Saxophone - Roland Alvarez, 2nd Engineer - Alan Meyerson, Mixing Engineer - Alan Meyerson, Recording Engineer - Nick Milo, Keyboards - Herman Matthews, Percussion - Herman Matthews, Drums - Brent Carter, Vocal - Brent Carter, Background Vocal
(P) 1995 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
John Scarpulla (solo), Tenor Saxophone - Emilio Castillo, Producer - Emilio Castillo, Tenor Saxophone - Tom Flye, Mixing Engineer - S. Kupka, Composer - S. Kupka, Lyricist - Nick Mild, Keyboards - Troy Gonzalez, 2nd Engineer - Emilio Castilli, Background Vocal - Herman Mattheus, Percussion - Herman Mattheus, Drums - Barry Danielian (lead), Trumpet - Francis Rocco Prestia, Bass - Ken Kessie, Recording Engineer - Stephen Kupka, Baritone Saxophone - Tower Of Power, Performer - John Scarpula, Alto Saxophone - John Scarpula, Tenor Saxophone - Bill Churchville, Trumpet - Bill Churchville, Flugelhorn - E. Castillo, Composer - E. Castillo, Lyricist - David Bryant, Engineer - Barry Danielian, Trumpet - Barry Danielian, Flugelhorn - Vlado Meller, Mastering Engineer - Zac Allentuck, 2nd Engineer - Jeff Tamelier, Background Vocal - Jeff Tamelier, Guitar - H. Matthews, Composer - H. Matthews, Lyricist - Dave Eskridge, Arranger - Brent Carter, Vocal - Brent Carter, Background Vocal
(P) 1997 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Emilio Castillo, Producer - Emilio Castillo, Vocal - Emilio Castillo, Background Vocal - S. Kupka, Composer - S. Kupka, Lyricist - Carmen Grillo, Background Vocal - Carmen Grillo, Guitar - Emilo Castillo, Tenor Saxophone - Francis Rocco Prestia, Bass - Ken Kessie, Recording Engineer - Stephen Kupka, Baritone Saxophone - Tower Of Power, Performer - Bill Churchville, Trumpet - Bill Churchville, Trombone - Bill Churchville, Flugelhorn - E. Castillo, Composer - E. Castillo, Lyricist - Barry Danielian, Trumpet - Barry Danielian, Flugelhorn - K. Kessie, Composer - K. Kessie, Lyricist - David Mann, Alto Saxophone - David Mann, Tenor Saxophone - Trent Slatton, 2nd Engineer - Alan Meyerson, Mixing Engineer - Alan Meyerson, Recording Engineer - Roland Alvarez, 2nd Engineer - Nick Milo, Keyboards - Herman Matthews, Percussion - Herman Matthews, Drums - Brent Carter, Vocal - Brent Carter, Background Vocal
(P) 1995 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Tower Of Power, Performer - Tom Bowes, Vocal - Stephen Kupka, Baritone Saxophone - Carmen Grillo, Background Vocal - Carmen Grillo, Guitar - E. Castillo, Composer - E. Castillo, Lyricist - Russ McKinnon, Percussion - Russ McKinnon, Drums - Greg Adams, Background Vocal - Greg Adams, Arranger - Greg Adams, Trumpet - Greg Adams, Flugelhorn - Bob Loftus, 2nd Engineer - S. Kupka, Composer - S. Kupka, Lyricist - Rocco Prestia, Bass - Steve Grove, Alto Saxophone - Steve Grove, Tenor Saxophone - Doug Sax, Mastering Engineer - Lee Thornburg, Background Vocal - Lee Thornburg, Trumpet - Lee Thornburg, Trombone - Lee Thornburg, Flugelhorn - Nick Milo, Keyboards - Emilio Castillo, Producer - Emilio Castillo, Vocal - Emilio Castillo, Background Vocal - Emilio Castillo, Tenor Saxophone - F.R. Prestia, Composer - F.R. Prestia, Lyricist - Al Schmitt, Recording Engineer
(P) 1991 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
E. Castillo, Composer - E. Castillo, Lyricist - Tower Of Power, Performer - Emilio Castillo, Producer - S. Kupka, Composer - S. Kupka, Lyricist
(P) 2002 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Mic Gillette, Vocal - Mic Gillette, Trumpet - Mic Gillette, Trombone - Mic Gillette, Flugelhorn - Bruce Conte, Vocal - Bruce Conte, Guitar - Emilio Castillo, Producer - Emilio Castillo, Vocal - Emilio Castillo, Composer - Emilio Castillo, Lyricist - Emilio Castillo, Tenor Saxophone - Chester Thompson, Vocal - Chester Thompson, Piano - Chester Thompson, Organ - Chester Thompson, Synthesizer - Ronnie Beck, Vocal - Ronnie Beck, Drums - Lenny Pickett, Alto Saxophone - Lenny Pickett, Tenor Saxophone - Alan Chinowsky, Assistant Producer - Alan Chinowsky, Mixing Engineer - Alan Chinowsky, Recording Engineer - Rich Ehrman, 2nd Engineer - Francis Rocco Prestia, Bass - Stephen Kupka, Composer - Stephen Kupka, Lyricist - Tower Of Power, Producer - Tower Of Power, Performer - Bob Edwards, 2nd Engineer - Pat Henley, Background Vocal - Hubert Tubbs, Composer - Hubert Tubbs, Lyricist - Greg Adams, Vocal - Greg Adams, Trumpet - Greg Adams, Flugelhorn - Ivory Stone, Background Vocal - Steve Kupka, Baritone Saxophone - Melba Joyce, Background Vocal - Edward McGee, Vocal - Jim Gaines, Mixing Engineer
(P) 1976 Sony Music Entertainment
Mic Gillette, Background Vocal - Mic Gillette, Trumpet - Mic Gillette, Trombone - Mic Gillette, Flugelhorn - Emilio Castillo, Background Vocal - Emilio Castillo, Tenor Saxophone - Phil Jamtaas, 2nd Engineer - S. Kupka, Composer - S. Kupka, Lyricist - Lenny Pickett, Background Vocal - Lenny Pickett, Synthesizer - Lenny Pickett, Alto Saxophone - Lenny Pickett, Tenor Saxophone - Lenny Pickett, Soprano Saxophone - Rick Sanchez, 2nd Engineer - Alan Chinowsky, Mixing Engineer - Alan Chinowsky, Recording Engineer - Richard Evans, Producer - Michael Jeffries, Vocal - Michael Jeffries, Background Vocal - Tower Of Power, Performer - E. Castillo, Composer - E. Castillo, Lyricist - Chester Thompson, Background Vocal - Chester Thompson, Piano - Chester Thompson, Organ - Vito San Filippo, Bass - Steven Kupka, Background Vocal - Steven Kupka, Baritone Saxophone - Greg Adams, Background Vocal - Greg Adams, Flugelhorn - Greg Adams, Trumpet - Jim Gaines, Mixing Engineer - Jim Gaines, Recording Engineer - Michael Stone, Mixing Engineer - Vic Anesini, Re-Mastering Engineer - Steve Fontano, 2nd Engineer - Paul Serrano, Recording Engineer - Danny Hoeffer, Guitar
(P) 1979 Sony Music Entertainment
Mic Gillette, Vocal - Mic Gillette, Trumpet - Mic Gillette, Trombone - Mic Gillette, Flugelhorn - Bruce Conte, Vocal - Bruce Conte, Guitar - Emilio Castillo, Producer - Emilio Castillo, Vocal - Emilio Castillo, Tenor Saxophone - S. Kupka, Composer - S. Kupka, Lyricist - Chester Thompson, Vocal - Chester Thompson, Piano - Chester Thompson, Organ - Chester Thompson, Synthesizer - Ronnie Beck, Vocal - Ronnie Beck, Drums - Lenny Pickett, Alto Saxophone - Lenny Pickett, Tenor Saxophone - Alan Chinowsky, Assistant Producer - Alan Chinowsky, Mixing Engineer - Alan Chinowsky, Recording Engineer - Rich Ehrman, 2nd Engineer - Francis Rocco Prestia, Bass - Tower Of Power, Producer - Tower Of Power, Performer - Bob Edwards, 2nd Engineer - Pat Henley, Background Vocal - E. Castillo, Composer - E. Castillo, Lyricist - Greg Adams, Vocal - Greg Adams, Trumpet - Greg Adams, Flugelhorn - Ivory Stone, Background Vocal - Steve Kupka, Baritone Saxophone - Melba Joyce, Background Vocal - D. Bartlett, Composer - D. Bartlett, Lyricist - Edward McGee, Vocal - Jim Gaines, Mixing Engineer
(P) 1976 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Mic Gillette, Trumpet - Mic Gillette, Trombone - Mic Gillette, Flugelhorn - Bruce Conte, Background Vocal - Bruce Conte, Guitar - Victor Conte, Bass - Emilio Castillo, Background Vocal - Emilio Castillo, Tenor Saxophone - Mic Geillette, Background Vocal - S. Kupka, Composer - S. Kupka, Lyricist - Chester Thompson, Background Vocal - Chester Thompson, Piano - Chester Thompson, Organ - Chester Thompson, Harp - Ronnie Beck, Background Vocal - Ronnie Beck, Drums - Alex Kashevaroff, 2nd Engineer - Lenny Pickett, Synthesizer - Lenny Pickett, Flute - Lenny Pickett, Alto Saxophone - Lenny Pickett, Tenor Saxophone - Lenny Pickett, Bass Clarinet - Rick Sanchez, 2nd Engineer - Alan Chinowsky, Engineer - Cheech D'Amico, 2nd Engineer - Michael Jeffries, Vocal - Tower Of Power, Performer - Steve Fontano, 2nd Engineer - E. Castillo, Composer - E. Castillo, Lyricist - Steven Kupka, Baritone Saxophone - Greg Adams, Trumpet - Greg Adams, Flugelhorn - Steve Cropper, Producer - Vic Anesini, Mastering Engineer
(P) 1978 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Jeff Tamelier, Background Vocal - Jeff Tamelier, Guitar - Clarke Rigsby, Mixing Engineer - Clarke Rigsby, Recording Engineer - Doug Field, 2nd Engineer - Tower Of Power, Performer - Norbert Stachel, Tenor Saxophone - Stephen Kupka, Baritone Saxophone - E. Castillo, Composer - E. Castillo, Lyricist - Greg Adams, Arranger - Vlado Meller, Mastering Engineer - S. Kupka, Composer - S. Kupka, Lyricist - Phil Kneebone, 2nd Engineer - Francis Rocco Prestia, Bass - Biff Dawes, Recording Engineer - Brent Carter, Vocal - Bill Churchville, Background Vocal - Bill Churchville, Trumpet - Bill Churchville, Flugelhorn - Nick Milo, Background Vocal - Nick Milo, Keyboards - Emilio Castillo, Producer - Emilio Castillo, Background Vocal - Emilio Castillo, Tenor Saxophone
(P) 1999 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Jeff Tamelier, Background Vocal - Jeff Tamelier, Guitar - Clarke Rigsby, Mixing Engineer - Clarke Rigsby, Recording Engineer - Doug Field, 2nd Engineer - Tower Of Power, Performer - Norbert Stachel, Tenor Saxophone - Stephen Kupka, Baritone Saxophone - E. Castillo, Composer - E. Castillo, Lyricist - Greg Adams, Arranger - Vlado Meller, Mastering Engineer - S. Kupka, Composer - S. Kupka, Lyricist - Phil Kneebone, 2nd Engineer - Francis Rocco Prestia, Bass - Biff Dawes, Recording Engineer - Brent Carter, Vocal - Bill Churchville, Background Vocal - Bill Churchville, Trumpet - Nick Milo, Background Vocal - Nick Milo, Keyboards - Emilio Castillo, Producer - Emilio Castillo, Background Vocal - Emilio Castillo, Tenor Saxophone
(P) 1999 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Emilio Castillo, Producer - Emilio Castillo, Background Vocal - Emilio Castillo, Tenor Saxophone - S. Kupka, Composer - S. Kupka, Lyricist - Phil Kneebone, 2nd Engineer - J.D. Garibaldi, Composer - J.D. Garibaldi, Lyricist - Francis Rocco Prestia, Bass - Stephen Kupka, Baritone Saxophone - Tower Of Power, Performer - Doug Field, 2nd Engineer - Bill Churchville, Background Vocal - Bill Churchville, Trumpet - E. Castillo, Composer - E. Castillo, Lyricist - Greg Adams, Arranger - Clarke Rigsby, Mixing Engineer - Clarke Rigsby, Recording Engineer - Biff Dawes, Recording Engineer - Vlado Meller, Mastering Engineer - Jeff Tamelier, Background Vocal - Jeff Tamelier, Guitar - Norbert Stachel, Tenor Saxophone - Nick Milo, Background Vocal - Nick Milo, Keyboards - Brent Carter, Vocal
(P) 1999 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Album review
The crucial subtitle missing is that this is the best of Tower of Power on Columbia, not a career-spanning anthology that takes in their material with other labels. Since their most popular stuff was done for Warner Brothers, that creates quite a problem when you're representing this material in particular as their best. With the understanding that this disc is limited to their Columbia catalog, it's a decent selection, through chronologically haphazard, drawing from the '90s, the late '70s, and nothing else. For the most part it's competent funk, a little too heavy on the feets-don't-fail-me now braggadocio, as on "Attitude Dance." Yes, there are versions of their well-known "So Very Hard to Go" and "What Is Hip?," but take caution: these are 1998 live recordings, not the famous originals. There's a previously unreleased alternate mix of "I Love That Girl So Much" from the sessions for their 1979 album, Back on the Streets, and it would be a pretty heavy price to pay for the whole disc just to get that one track, even for insistent completists. Very Best of the Warner Years and the more extensive What Is Hip? remain far better best-of compilations on this band.
© Richie Unterberger /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 14 track(s)
- Total length: 01:04:11
- Main artists: Tower Of Power
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Epic - Legacy
- Genre: Soul/Funk/R&B Funk
(P) 1976, 1978, 1979, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2002 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Improve album information
Why buy on Qobuz...
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalogue with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.