Em meados dos anos 1960, Emilio Castillo, saxofonista tenor de apenas 17 anos saiu de Detroit, em Michigan, para Fremont na Califórnia. Ele formou uma banda chamada "The Gotham City Crime Fighters" que se transformou posteriormente no "Motowns", especializando-se em soul music. Em 1968, Castillo juntou-se ao saxofonista barítono Stephen "Doc" Kupka (vulgo "O Doutor Funk") e o trompetista/trombonista Mic Gillette, mudou-se para Oakland e começou a escrever material próprio. Eles mudaram o nome da banda para "Tower Of Power" e começaram a tocar frequentemente em "Bay Area".
Em 1970, o Tower Of Power (já com o trompetista Greg Adams) assinou um contrato de gravação com a "Bill Graham's San Francisco Records" e rapidamente lançou seu primeiro álbum, "East Bay Grease". Assinaram contrato com a "Warner Bros. Records" e em 1972 lançam o álbum "Bump City" e outro álbum homônimo em 1973, que possui uma das músicas de maior sucesso da banda: "So very hard to go". Em um de seus lançamentos de meados dos anos 1970, chamado "Urban Reneval", de 1974, a banda foi para o funk, mas sempre continuou a fazer baladas muito bem. Depois que o vocalista Lenny Willians deixou a banda, os dias de sucesso comercial da banda acabaram. No fim dos anos 1970, começaram a produzir sons "disco" para a grande decepção de muitos fãs. Depois disso, os álbuns "Bump City", "Tower Of Power". "Back To Oakland" e "Urban Renewal" estavam parecendo como sendo as grandes realizações do grupo. Estes discos estão também entre os clássicos do R&B dos anos 1970, inclusive o álbum ao vivo da banda gravado em 1976, "Live And Inf Living Colour", é também muito respeitado.
O Tower Of Power tem permanecido através dos anos, e ainda está viajando e tocando. Mudanças de membros fazem parte da história e da evolução da banda; cerca de 60 músicos tocaram, viajaram e/ou tocaram com a banda através dos anos, incluindo o diretor musical do "Saturday Night Live", Lenny Picket; o baterista David Garibaldi; o trompetista Rick Waychesko; o baixista Rocco Prestia; o saxofonista Richard Elliot; e o baixista e fundador do BALCO, Victor Conte (primo do guitarrista Bruce Conte, que tocou com a banda anteriormente e que foi recentemente reincorporado). Depois de deixar a banda, um dos vocalistas originais, Rick Stevens, foi condenado a prisão em Three Counts por homocídio em primeiro grau. O vocalista original, Rufus Miller, fez a maioria dos vocais principais em "East Bay Grease".
O Tower Of Power lançou 18 álbuns (compilações e lançamentos regionais não estão inclusos na lista), sendo o último de 2003, voltando a forma, o "Oakland Zone". Sem contar que as gravações da banda tornaram-se influências para outros artistas como Little Feat, The Monkees, Carlos Santana, Elton John, Linda Lewis, entre outros. A canção "So Very Hard To Go" foi incluída na trilha sonora do filme "Cidade de Deus".
O Tower Of Power também fez aparições especiais como convidado em discos de grandes artistas. Em 1993, a banda participou do álbum "Aries" de Luis Miguel, em um cover de "Attitude Dance" intitulada "Que Nivel De Mujer". Mais recentemente, o Tower Of Power, participou do álbum "Awake" de Josh Grobam, na faixa instrumental "Machine". Texto: Wikipédia. Site Oficial.
02. Social Lubrication
(7:24)
03. The Price (6:10)
04. Back On The Streets Again (5:51)
05. The Skunk, The Goose, And The Fly (5:51)
06. Sparkling In The Sand (9:02)
03. The Price (6:10)
04. Back On The Streets Again (5:51)
05. The Skunk, The Goose, And The Fly (5:51)
06. Sparkling In The Sand (9:02)
02. What Happened To The
World That Day? (4:14)
03. Flash In The Pan (3:37)
04. Gone (In Memory Of Jacqueline Mesquite) (3:44)
05. You May Strike My Main Nerve (2:55)
06. Down To The Nightclub (2:46)
07. You're Still A Young Man (5:38)
08. Skating On Thin Ice (3:51)
09. Of The Earth (4:30)
03. Flash In The Pan (3:37)
04. Gone (In Memory Of Jacqueline Mesquite) (3:44)
05. You May Strike My Main Nerve (2:55)
06. Down To The Nightclub (2:46)
07. You're Still A Young Man (5:38)
08. Skating On Thin Ice (3:51)
09. Of The Earth (4:30)
02. Clever Girl (2:56)
03. This Time It's Real (2:54)
04. Will I Ever Find A Love? (3:51)
05. Get Yo' Feet Back On The Ground (4:52)
06. So Very Hard To Go (3:41)
07. Soul Vaccination (5:13)
08. Both Sorry Over Nothin' (3:25)
09. Clean Slate (3:22)
10. Just Another Day (4:34)
03. This Time It's Real (2:54)
04. Will I Ever Find A Love? (3:51)
05. Get Yo' Feet Back On The Ground (4:52)
06. So Very Hard To Go (3:41)
07. Soul Vaccination (5:13)
08. Both Sorry Over Nothin' (3:25)
09. Clean Slate (3:22)
10. Just Another Day (4:34)
02. Don't Change Horses (In The
Middle Of A Stream) (4:45)
03. Just When We Start Makin' It (6:21)
04. Can't You See (You Doin' Me Wrong) (2:55)
05. Squib Cakes (7:42)
06. Time Will Tell (3:10)
07. Man From The Past (3:58)
08. Love's Been Gone So Long (4:44)
09. I Got The Chop (2:57)
10. Below Us, All The City Lights (4:15)
11. ...Oakland Stroke (1:05)
03. Just When We Start Makin' It (6:21)
04. Can't You See (You Doin' Me Wrong) (2:55)
05. Squib Cakes (7:42)
06. Time Will Tell (3:10)
07. Man From The Past (3:58)
08. Love's Been Gone So Long (4:44)
09. I Got The Chop (2:57)
10. Below Us, All The City Lights (4:15)
11. ...Oakland Stroke (1:05)
02. Come Back, Baby
(3:22)
03. It's Not The Crime (1:47)
04. I Won't Leave Unless You Want Me To (3:31)
05. Maybe It'll Rub Off (3:16)
06. (To Say The Least) You're The Most (2:29)
07. Willing To Learn (4:36)
08. Give Me The Proof (2:35)
09. It Can Never Be The Same (4:44)
10. I Believe In Myself (2:03)
11. Walkin' Up Hip Street (5:50)
03. It's Not The Crime (1:47)
04. I Won't Leave Unless You Want Me To (3:31)
05. Maybe It'll Rub Off (3:16)
06. (To Say The Least) You're The Most (2:29)
07. Willing To Learn (4:36)
08. Give Me The Proof (2:35)
09. It Can Never Be The Same (4:44)
10. I Believe In Myself (2:03)
11. Walkin' Up Hip Street (5:50)
02. Treat Me Like Your
Man (3:08)
03. If I Play My Cards Right (3:13)
04. As Surely As I Stand Here (5:14)
05. Fanfare: Matanuska (0:16)
06. On The Serious Side (2:53)
07. Ebony Jam (6:44)
08. You're So Wonderful, So Marvelous (3:11)
09. Vuela Por Noche (1:33)
10. Essence Of Innocence (0:35)
11. The Soul Of A Child (4:57)
12. Drop It In The Slot (3:11)
03. If I Play My Cards Right (3:13)
04. As Surely As I Stand Here (5:14)
05. Fanfare: Matanuska (0:16)
06. On The Serious Side (2:53)
07. Ebony Jam (6:44)
08. You're So Wonderful, So Marvelous (3:11)
09. Vuela Por Noche (1:33)
10. Essence Of Innocence (0:35)
11. The Soul Of A Child (4:57)
12. Drop It In The Slot (3:11)
02. By Your Side
(4:30)
03. Make Someone Happy (2:47)
04. Doin' Alright (4:48)
05. Because I Think The World Of You (3:00)
06. You Ought To Be Havin' Fun (3:06)
07. Can't Stand To See The Slaughter (2:47)
08. It's So Nice (5:39)
09. Deal With It (3:20)
10. While We Went To The Moon (4:24)
03. Make Someone Happy (2:47)
04. Doin' Alright (4:48)
05. Because I Think The World Of You (3:00)
06. You Ought To Be Havin' Fun (3:06)
07. Can't Stand To See The Slaughter (2:47)
08. It's So Nice (5:39)
09. Deal With It (3:20)
10. While We Went To The Moon (4:24)
02. You're Still
A Young Man (5:15)
03. What Is Hip? (6:35)
04. Sparkling In The Sand (8:12)
05. Knock Yourself Out (23:03)
03. What Is Hip? (6:35)
04. Sparkling In The Sand (8:12)
05. Knock Yourself Out (23:03)
02. Lovin' You Is Gonna See Me
Thru (6:04)
03. Let Me Touch You (4:35)
04. Yin-Yang Thang (4:22)
05. Share My Life (3:56)
06. Bittersweet Soul Music (3:28)
07. Am I A Fool (3:58)
08. Love Bug (4:01)
09. Somewhere Down The Road (4:38)
03. Let Me Touch You (4:35)
04. Yin-Yang Thang (4:22)
05. Share My Life (3:56)
06. Bittersweet Soul Music (3:28)
07. Am I A Fool (3:58)
08. Love Bug (4:01)
09. Somewhere Down The Road (4:38)
02. Our Love (3:34)
03. Heaven Must Have Made You (3:33)
04. And You Know It (3:02)
05. Nowhere To Run (4:35)
06. Something Calls Me (4:24)
07. It Takes Two (To Make It Happen) (3:37)
08. In Due Time (4:11)
09. Just Make A Move (And Be Yourself) (5:10)
03. Heaven Must Have Made You (3:33)
04. And You Know It (3:02)
05. Nowhere To Run (4:35)
06. Something Calls Me (4:24)
07. It Takes Two (To Make It Happen) (3:37)
08. In Due Time (4:11)
09. Just Make A Move (And Be Yourself) (5:10)
02. Credit (4:07)
03. Some Days Were Meant For Rain (4:55)
04. Boys Night Out (5:51)
05. Ball And Chain (3:16)
06. Through Lover's Eyes (3:41)
07. Count On Me (3:29)
08. On The One (4:04)
09. Up Against Yourself (3:19)
03. Some Days Were Meant For Rain (4:55)
04. Boys Night Out (5:51)
05. Ball And Chain (3:16)
06. Through Lover's Eyes (3:41)
07. Count On Me (3:29)
08. On The One (4:04)
09. Up Against Yourself (3:19)
02. How
Could This Happen To Me (4:10)
03. Who Do You Think You Are (4:22)
04. Attitude Dance (5:35)
05. You Can't Fall Up (You Just Fall Down) (4:55)
06. Funk The Dumb Stuff (5:28)
07. Believe It (4:35)
08. Personal Possessions (5:06)
09. Miss Trouble (Got A Lot Of Nerve) (4:45)
10. Keep Your Monster On A Leash (4:34)
11. Someone New (4:29)
12. Mr. Toad's Wild Ride (5:26)
03. Who Do You Think You Are (4:22)
04. Attitude Dance (5:35)
05. You Can't Fall Up (You Just Fall Down) (4:55)
06. Funk The Dumb Stuff (5:28)
07. Believe It (4:35)
08. Personal Possessions (5:06)
09. Miss Trouble (Got A Lot Of Nerve) (4:45)
10. Keep Your Monster On A Leash (4:34)
11. Someone New (4:29)
12. Mr. Toad's Wild Ride (5:26)
02. It All Comes Back
(3:55)
03. Please Come Back (To Stay) (5:29)
04. The Real Deal (4:30)
05. Come To A Decision (5:32)
06. Cruise Control (5:03)
07. The Educated Bump (Part I) (0:54)
08. Mama Lied (3:37)
09. Quiet Scream (4:21)
10. I Like Your Style (4:19)
11. You (4:30)
12. South Of The Boulevard (5:59)
13. Come On With It (4:51)
14. The Educated Bump (Part II) (1:02)
03. Please Come Back (To Stay) (5:29)
04. The Real Deal (4:30)
05. Come To A Decision (5:32)
06. Cruise Control (5:03)
07. The Educated Bump (Part I) (0:54)
08. Mama Lied (3:37)
09. Quiet Scream (4:21)
10. I Like Your Style (4:19)
11. You (4:30)
12. South Of The Boulevard (5:59)
13. Come On With It (4:51)
14. The Educated Bump (Part II) (1:02)
02. Taxed To The Max (4:18)
03. Keep Comin' Back (3:47)
04. Soothe You (3:51)
05. Do You Wanna (Make Love To Me) (3:51)
06. Lovin' You Forever (4:15)
07. Gotta Make A Change (3:38)
08. Diggin' On James Brown (4:39)
09. Sexy Soul (4:43)
10. Just Like You (4:27)
11. Once You Get A Taste (4:01)
12. Undercurrent (5:01)
03. Keep Comin' Back (3:47)
04. Soothe You (3:51)
05. Do You Wanna (Make Love To Me) (3:51)
06. Lovin' You Forever (4:15)
07. Gotta Make A Change (3:38)
08. Diggin' On James Brown (4:39)
09. Sexy Soul (4:43)
10. Just Like You (4:27)
11. Once You Get A Taste (4:01)
12. Undercurrent (5:01)
02. Crazy For You (4:37)
03. East Bay Way (4:48)
04. Unconditional Love (6:59)
05. You Do The Math (4:48)
06. The More You Know (5:49)
07. Recapture The Magic (5:33)
08. What's Your Trip (5:41)
09. Rhythm And Business (4:08)
10. Don't Knock Me Down (3:41)
11. That Was Then And This Is Now (4:36)
12. It Really Doesn't Matter (4:35)
13. Spank-A-Dang (5:42)
03. East Bay Way (4:48)
04. Unconditional Love (6:59)
05. You Do The Math (4:48)
06. The More You Know (5:49)
07. Recapture The Magic (5:33)
08. What's Your Trip (5:41)
09. Rhythm And Business (4:08)
10. Don't Knock Me Down (3:41)
11. That Was Then And This Is Now (4:36)
12. It Really Doesn't Matter (4:35)
13. Spank-A-Dang (5:42)
02. You're Gonna Need Me
(4:08)
03. Squibcakes (7:55)
04. That's Why I Sing (5:02)
05. What Is Hip (4:46)
06. Never Let Go Of Love (4:18)
07. Fanfare / You Know It (Plus!) (3:27)
08. Squibcakes (Plus!) (7:38)
09. That's Why I Sing (Plus!) (5:01)
10. What Is Hip (Plus!) (4:45)
03. Squibcakes (7:55)
04. That's Why I Sing (5:02)
05. What Is Hip (4:46)
06. Never Let Go Of Love (4:18)
07. Fanfare / You Know It (Plus!) (3:27)
08. Squibcakes (Plus!) (7:38)
09. That's Why I Sing (Plus!) (5:01)
10. What Is Hip (Plus!) (4:45)
02. You're Something Special (4:56)
03. Why Do You Do My Heart Like That (3:37)
04. Simple As That (4:37)
05. Your Love Is Like A Little Rain (5:01)
06. Move You Lose (4:23)
07. I Think You'll Like It (4:58)
08. Never Let Go Of Love (3:51)
09. Got To Have Your Lovin' (3:33)
10. I Want To Love You More (Than Words Will Ever Say) (5:13)
11. Can't You Feel It? (4:49)
12. You Took The "L" Out Of Love (4:32)
13. You Tought Me To Love (4:16)
14. That's Why I Sing (4:58)
03. Why Do You Do My Heart Like That (3:37)
04. Simple As That (4:37)
05. Your Love Is Like A Little Rain (5:01)
06. Move You Lose (4:23)
07. I Think You'll Like It (4:58)
08. Never Let Go Of Love (3:51)
09. Got To Have Your Lovin' (3:33)
10. I Want To Love You More (Than Words Will Ever Say) (5:13)
11. Can't You Feel It? (4:49)
12. You Took The "L" Out Of Love (4:32)
13. You Tought Me To Love (4:16)
14. That's Why I Sing (4:58)
02. I Like Your Style
(3:42)
03. Soul Vaccination (4:56)
04. Down To The Night Club (Bump City) (3:14)
05. Willin' To Learn (6:06)
06. Souled Out (4:58)
07. Diggin' On James Brown (4:53)
08. To Say The Least You're The Most (4:33)
09. You Strike My Main Nerve (3:55)
10. Can't You See (You Doin' Me Wrong) (3:26)
11. You Got To Funkifize (4:46)
12. So Very Hard To Go (3:49)
13. What Is Hip? (6:01)
14. You're Still A Young Man (5:59)
15. So I Got To Groove (6:08)
03. Soul Vaccination (4:56)
04. Down To The Night Club (Bump City) (3:14)
05. Willin' To Learn (6:06)
06. Souled Out (4:58)
07. Diggin' On James Brown (4:53)
08. To Say The Least You're The Most (4:33)
09. You Strike My Main Nerve (3:55)
10. Can't You See (You Doin' Me Wrong) (3:26)
11. You Got To Funkifize (4:46)
12. So Very Hard To Go (3:49)
13. What Is Hip? (6:01)
14. You're Still A Young Man (5:59)
15. So I Got To Groove (6:08)
02. Soul With A Capital "S"
(4:56)
03. Souled Out (3:47)
04. So I Got To Groove (5:39)
05. Diggin' On James Brown (4:39)
06. Funk The Dumb Stuff (5:27)
07. I Love That Girl So Much (Previously Unreleased) (5:06)
08. You Ought To Be Havin' Fun (3:06)
09. And You Know It (3:00)
10. Ain't Nothin' Stoppin' Us Now (3:55)
11. We Came To Play (3:32)
Live.
12. So Very Hard To Go (3:51)
13. You're Still A Young Man (5:45)
14. What Is Hip? (5:57)
03. Souled Out (3:47)
04. So I Got To Groove (5:39)
05. Diggin' On James Brown (4:39)
06. Funk The Dumb Stuff (5:27)
07. I Love That Girl So Much (Previously Unreleased) (5:06)
08. You Ought To Be Havin' Fun (3:06)
09. And You Know It (3:00)
10. Ain't Nothin' Stoppin' Us Now (3:55)
11. We Came To Play (3:32)
Live.
12. So Very Hard To Go (3:51)
13. You're Still A Young Man (5:45)
14. What Is Hip? (5:57)
02. Give Me Your Love (4:42)
03. Get What You Want (5:04)
04. Could've Done It Better (5:17)
05. This Type Of Funk (5:21)
06. Pocketful Of Soul (3:29)
07. Remember Love (4:54)
08. Oakland Zone (4:49)
09. Life Is What You Make It (4:51)
10. Happy 'Bout That (4:54)
11. Stranger In My Own House (5:21)
12. Back In The Day (4:34)
13. Page One (5:42)
14. ...Eastside (1:32)
03. Get What You Want (5:04)
04. Could've Done It Better (5:17)
05. This Type Of Funk (5:21)
06. Pocketful Of Soul (3:29)
07. Remember Love (4:54)
08. Oakland Zone (4:49)
09. Life Is What You Make It (4:51)
10. Happy 'Bout That (4:54)
11. Stranger In My Own House (5:21)
12. Back In The Day (4:34)
13. Page One (5:42)
14. ...Eastside (1:32)
02. I Thank You (3:31)
03. Loveland (3:25)
04. It Takes Two (4:36)
05. Me & Mrs. Jones (5:36)
06. Star Time (Tribute To James Brown) (6:43)
07. Mr. Pitiful (2:48)
08. Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel (4:46)
09. Since You've Been Gone (Baby, Baby, Sweet Baby) (4:11)
10. (Heaven Must Have Sent) Your Precious Love (3:41)
11. 634-5789 (4:01)
12. Who Is He (And What Is He To You)? (5:21)
03. Loveland (3:25)
04. It Takes Two (4:36)
05. Me & Mrs. Jones (5:36)
06. Star Time (Tribute To James Brown) (6:43)
07. Mr. Pitiful (2:48)
08. Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel (4:46)
09. Since You've Been Gone (Baby, Baby, Sweet Baby) (4:11)
10. (Heaven Must Have Sent) Your Precious Love (3:41)
11. 634-5789 (4:01)
12. Who Is He (And What Is He To You)? (5:21)
02. Soul With A Capital "S"
(5:07)
03. Can’t Stand To See The Slaughter (4:20)
04. Down To The Nightclub (1:57)
05. It’s Not The Crime (2:55)
06. You Got To Funkifize (4:31)
07. As Surely As I Stand Here (6:46)
08. I Got To Groove (6:04)
09. This Time It’s Real (4:03)
10. Souled Out (4:30)
11. Time Will Tell (4:47)
12. Only So Much Oil In The Ground (3:48)
13. Credit (4:22)
14. A Little Knowledge (Is A Dangerous Thing) (4:44)
15. What Is Hip? (4:28)
16. You’re Still A Young Man (5:58)
17. Knock Yourself Out (5:37)
03. Can’t Stand To See The Slaughter (4:20)
04. Down To The Nightclub (1:57)
05. It’s Not The Crime (2:55)
06. You Got To Funkifize (4:31)
07. As Surely As I Stand Here (6:46)
08. I Got To Groove (6:04)
09. This Time It’s Real (4:03)
10. Souled Out (4:30)
11. Time Will Tell (4:47)
12. Only So Much Oil In The Ground (3:48)
13. Credit (4:22)
14. A Little Knowledge (Is A Dangerous Thing) (4:44)
15. What Is Hip? (4:28)
16. You’re Still A Young Man (5:58)
17. Knock Yourself Out (5:37)
01. Intro (0:30)
02. Oakland Stroke (1:56)
03. Squib Cakes (9:45)
04. This Time It's Real (4:01)
05. Soul Vaccination (5:22)
06. You're Still A Young Man (5:29)
07. Clean Slate (6:10)
08. So Very Hard To Go (5:11)
09. Get Your Feet Back On The Ground (5:11)
02. Oakland Stroke (1:56)
03. Squib Cakes (9:45)
04. This Time It's Real (4:01)
05. Soul Vaccination (5:22)
06. You're Still A Young Man (5:29)
07. Clean Slate (6:10)
08. So Very Hard To Go (5:11)
09. Get Your Feet Back On The Ground (5:11)
CD 2.
01. Intro (0:20)
02. Time Will Tell (3:30)
03. Man From The Past (4:22)
04. Down To The Nightclub (2:38)
05. Just When We Start Makin' It (7:59)
06. Knock Yourself Out (18:51)
07. What Is Hip? (6:22)
02. Time Will Tell (3:30)
03. Man From The Past (4:22)
04. Down To The Nightclub (2:38)
05. Just When We Start Makin' It (7:59)
06. Knock Yourself Out (18:51)
07. What Is Hip? (6:22)
02. Hangin' With My Baby
(5:27)
03. Do You Like That? (4:37)
04. On The Soul Side Of Town (6:39)
05. Do It With Soul (3:53)
06. Love Must Be Patient And Kind (4:40)
07. Butter Fried (5:27)
08. Selah (4:48)
09. Let It Go (4:22)
10. Stop (4:24)
11. When Love Takes Control (4:11)
12. After Hours (3:33)
13. Can't Stop Thinking About You (4:54)
14. East Bay! Oakland Style! (1:14)
03. Do You Like That? (4:37)
04. On The Soul Side Of Town (6:39)
05. Do It With Soul (3:53)
06. Love Must Be Patient And Kind (4:40)
07. Butter Fried (5:27)
08. Selah (4:48)
09. Let It Go (4:22)
10. Stop (4:24)
11. When Love Takes Control (4:11)
12. After Hours (3:33)
13. Can't Stop Thinking About You (4:54)
14. East Bay! Oakland Style! (1:14)