Full live concert by Tower of Power at the North Sea Jazz Festival on 13 July 2008 at Rotterdam Ahoy, the Netherlands. Founded in Oakland in 1968 and led ever since by saxophonist Emilio Castillo and baritone Stephen ‘Doc’ Kupka, the band embodies horn-driven funk at its most accomplished. On stage, ten musicians unleash the precision machine that won over Elton John, Santana and Bonnie Raitt: Larry Braggs on vocals, tight horns, and the relentless groove of Francis ‘Rocco’ Prestia’s bass and David Garibaldi’s drums. Drawn from the festival’s official archive, this filmed live performance captures the stage power of a band built for the live setting. A reference full concert for lovers of funk, soul and horn sections, to be enjoyed in full at one of the largest festivals in the world. A genuine groove machine, Tower of Power delivers here a display of precision funk that will delight lovers of horns and unstoppable rhythm, in a live capture faithful to the band’s stage spirit and recorded at one of jazz’s most prestigious festivals.
Personnel & credits
- Emilio Castillo — chant, saxophone
- Larry Braggs — chant
- Stephen "Doc" Kupka — saxophone baryton
- Tom Politzer — saxophone
- Adolfo Acosta — trompette
- Mike Bogart — trompette
- Mark Harper — guitare
- Jeff Tamelier — guitare
- Roger Smith — claviers
- Francis "Rocco" Prestia — basse
- David Garibaldi — batterie
