Tower Of Power - Step Up

Making our particular brand of music has always brought me an immense amount of joy.
- Emilio Castillo

As any big-band leader will tell you, it's the brass section that brings the bang - the sudden bursts and epic swells that ignite the soul. But in late '60s San Francisco, the folk, rock and psychedelic crowds didn't know that yet - until a soulful young band of Oakland horn players lined up at the Fillmore and tore the roof off the place. Concert promoter Bill Graham was there that night, signed the band to his label, and the "Power" was officially turned on.

Over 50+ years recording and touring, Tower of Power has pioneered a hybrid brand of brass-driven soul and funk music with the punch and sophistication of a jazz band. Two trumpets and three saxes lead the way, propelled by a tight rhythm section, lively keys and guitars, and big-range vocals. In addition to their 26 studio albums, that signature sound found its way via session work onto albums by Elton John, Bonnie Raitt, Santana and Aerosmith. And it paved the way for bands like Chicago and Earth, Wind & Fire to come along.

These days, with original co-founders Emilio Castillo, Stephen "Doc" Krupka, and David Garibaldi at the helm, Tower of Power is stronger than ever releasing two big albums in the past two years and touring 200 days a year (pre-COVID-19). Their latest album, "Step Up," opens and closes with the jumpy, "East Bay! All the Way!" - leaving the listener in no doubt of where they're from and how they do it. Other highlights include the spicy burner, "Look In My Eyes," the NOLA-style funk of "If You Wanna Be A Winner," and the nostalgic kick of "Addicted To You."

"We knew when we went into the studio, we were going to make the best record that we could make - the best album of our career," Castillo says. "And we did. We took it to another level." Do yourself a holiday favor and add some brass to your silver and gold.

Tower of Power was our Holiday 2020 featured artist and we have sold out of our seasonal supply of their CD, but you can purchase direct from their website. For more info, click here.