Direct (Tower of Power album)
Encyclopedia
Direct is a 1981 live in-studio album by Tower of Power
. It was their only album for the direct-to-disc record label Sheffield Lab. It also marked the return of original guitarist Willie James Fulton, not heard from since 1972's Bump City
, and the last album to feature saxophonist Lenny Pickett. Mark Sanders plays drums on this album. Between this album and their 1987 comeback album Power
they would record the sessions that later became the Dinosaur Tracks CD. Besides that, save for the original single release of "Simple As That" (from the same Dinosaur Tracks sessions), this would be their last new release until 1987. It contained mostly songs from their previous albums but included new stuff as well.
Direct would later be released with alternate takes on CD as Direct PLUS in 1997.
1. Fanfare/And You Know It
("Fanfare" written by Greg Adams, "And You Know It" written by Emilio Castillo and Stephen Kupka)
"And You Know It" originally recorded for Back on the Streets
(1979)
2. You're Gonna Need Me
(written by Albert King)
New track
3. Squib Cakes
(written by Chester Thompson)
Originally recorded for Back to Oakland
(1974)
SIDE TWO
1. That's Why I Sing
(written by Chester Thompson)
New track, later re-recorded during the Dinosaur Tracks sessions in 1983
2. What Is Hip?
(written by Emilio Castillo and Stephen Kupka)
Originally recorded for Tower of Power
(1973)
3. Never Let Go Of Love
(written by Greg Levias, Hilary Thompson, and Michael Jeffries)
New track, later re-recorded during the Dinosaur Tracks sessions in 1983
Tower of Power
Tower of Power is an American R&B-based horn section and band, originating in Oakland, California, that has been performing for over 43 years. They are best known for their funky soul sound highlighted by a powerful horn section...
. It was their only album for the direct-to-disc record label Sheffield Lab. It also marked the return of original guitarist Willie James Fulton, not heard from since 1972's Bump City
Bump City
Bump City is the second album by the soul/funk group Tower of Power. The album cover is derived from a sketch by David Garibaldi. It's also their first album for Warner Bros. Records...
, and the last album to feature saxophonist Lenny Pickett. Mark Sanders plays drums on this album. Between this album and their 1987 comeback album Power
Power (Tower of Power album)
Power is a studio album by Tower of Power released in 1987 on the A&M Records-distributed Cypress Records label. It was released a year earlier with additional and/or different songs in Europe under the title T.O.P....
they would record the sessions that later became the Dinosaur Tracks CD. Besides that, save for the original single release of "Simple As That" (from the same Dinosaur Tracks sessions), this would be their last new release until 1987. It contained mostly songs from their previous albums but included new stuff as well.
Direct would later be released with alternate takes on CD as Direct PLUS in 1997.
Track listing
SIDE ONE1. Fanfare/And You Know It
("Fanfare" written by Greg Adams, "And You Know It" written by Emilio Castillo and Stephen Kupka)
"And You Know It" originally recorded for Back on the Streets
Back on the Streets (Tower of Power album)
Back on the Streets is an album by Tower of Power released in 1979. This was their last album with Columbia Records. The title derives from the song "Back on the Streets Again" from their debut album East Bay Grease. David Garibaldi returns to the drummer's spot a third time, only to leave after...
(1979)
2. You're Gonna Need Me
(written by Albert King)
New track
3. Squib Cakes
(written by Chester Thompson)
Originally recorded for Back to Oakland
Back to Oakland
- Track list :#"Oakland Stroke..." - 0:53#"Don't Change Horses " - 4:28#"Just When We Start Makin' It" - 6:30...
(1974)
SIDE TWO
1. That's Why I Sing
(written by Chester Thompson)
New track, later re-recorded during the Dinosaur Tracks sessions in 1983
2. What Is Hip?
(written by Emilio Castillo and Stephen Kupka)
Originally recorded for Tower of Power
Tower of Power (album)
The album peaked at #15 on the Billboard Pop Album Chart in 1973 and received a gold record award for sales in excess of 500,000. The album also spawned their most successful single, "So Very Hard To Go". Although the single peaked at #17 on the Billboard Hot 100, "So Very Hard To Go" landed in...
(1973)
3. Never Let Go Of Love
(written by Greg Levias, Hilary Thompson, and Michael Jeffries)
New track, later re-recorded during the Dinosaur Tracks sessions in 1983
Personnel
- Michael JeffriesMichael Jeffries (singer)Michael Jeffries is a rhythm and blues singer from Memphis, Tennessee, best known for his stint as a lead vocalist for the R&B/Soul band Tower of Power from 1978 to the Mid-1980s.-History:...
- Lead Vocals - Lenny Pickett - Saxophones (Solo On "Squib Cakes", "Never Let Go Of Love")
- Emilio Castillo - Tenor Saxophone
- Stephen "Doc" Kupka - Baritone Saxophone
- Greg Adams - Trumpet (Solo On "What Is Hip?"), Flugelhorn (Solo On "Squib Cakes")
- Mic GilletteMic GilletteMic Gillette is an American brass player born in 1951 and raised in northern California's East Bay area. He is famous for being a member of Tower of Power, Cold Blood, and The Sons of Champlin....
- Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Trombone - Rick Waychesko - Trumpet
- Willie Fulton - Guitar, Lead Vocal On "You're Gonna Need Me"
- Mark Sanders - Drums
- Vito San Filippo - Bass
- Chester Thompson - Keyboards
- Victor FeldmanVictor FeldmanVictor Stanley Feldman was a British jazz musician, best known as a pianist.-Early history:...
- Percussion - Guest Singers - Jim GilstrapJim GilstrapJim Gilstrap is an American singer best known for his work as a session musician and his 1975 solo hit single "Swing Your Daddy", as well as singing co-lead to the theme from the TV series Good Times.-Career:...
, Edie Lehmann, Oren Waters