East Bay Soul

Greg Adams | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 22, 2009)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Ripa Records
• ASIN: B002KBNEXC
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #77,265 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Greg Adams - East Bay Soul, February 26, 2010

By 

Antonio Silva "Jack Silva" (New Bedford, MA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: East Bay Soul (Audio CD)

Greg Adams recent release, East Bay Soul, comes out of the box smoking and never lets up. Split between vocals and instrumentals, Adams reached back and brought that funky, urban soul sound back from his past, yet when he mutes his trumpet he can slice through you like a hot knife through butter.

For the unschooled, Greg Adams was a founding member, and the horn arranger for 25 years, with the legendary soul -funk - R&B horn band from Oakland, CA; the Tower of Power. During those years, and still today, Adams not only arranged just about all of the Tower songs on all of their albums, but he has also arranged the horns and recorded on hundreds (yes, that's hundreds) of other artist's recordings for 25 years with the TOP Horns, but also since he has been on his own. His arrangements have their own brand and style. Between his horn chops and his writing abilities, he's just one of the absolute best in the business....hands down.

Adams left Tower of Power about 11 years ago and East Bay Soul is his fifth solo release. His first four were also great recordings that leaned more towards the smooth jazz sound, but here he takes us back...all the way back to his roots....to the Bay Area. Make no mistake, the horn section on this recording is front and center, and it consists of Adams, former Tower bandmate Lee Thornburg, Johnnie Bamont, Michael Paulo & Greg Vail. Several different vocalist appear on the CD, including Tom Bowes, former lead vocalist for Tower of Power back in the early 90's and Thornburg, whose vocal simply kicks butt on the R&B classic "Stop". Darryl Walker's vocal also soars on the moving "iHope". Rounding our the band is Joey Navarro on keys, James Wirrick on guitar, Brian Allen on bass and Evan Stone on drums, with a few guests pitching in here and there.

The CD opens with a great upbeat tune called "Survival of the Hippest" and closes with the haunting Adams/Bill Kent composition "Someone New". This song was originally recorded on a Tower of Power album nearly 20 years ago and it re-teams the vocals of Tom Bowes with Adams trumpet, under a sleek new arrangement. In between, there is something on this CD for everyone! I've been a fan of the funk all my life, however my personal favorite on this recording is the smooth Adams/Nick Milo tune; "What's It Gonna Be?". Tower fans will remember that Nick Milo held the keyboard chair with that band for many years in the 90's as well. To wrap it up, this reviewer recommends that you run out and not only buy a copy of this CD for yourself, but you ought to pick up a few more for your friends.... because that's what are friends for!

Jack Silva
New Bedford, MA

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars True Survivor, March 30, 2010

By 

Charlie Trece (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews

This review is from: East Bay Soul (Audio CD)

Greg Adams' journey goes back to TOP years back in the early 70's and since then this versatile trumpeter come a long way. "East Bay Soul" in a way reflects his extense career exploring different styles and textures. Surrounded by an impressive crew, Adams is not afraid to approach a variety of genres. "Survival of the hippest" with its raw beat and brief rap by vocalist Tom Bowes proves that from the beginning. Other songs like "Reading lips", "Jump, shout and holler", "I Hope" and "Someone new" also have vocals by Darryl Walker, Sean Holt and Lee Thornburg, besides Bowes but probably the most brilliant moments belong to the wind section (Michael Paulo alto sax, Johnnie Bamont tenor & baritone sax, Lee Thornburg trumpet & trombone and of course Greg Adams in trumpet and flugelhorn). Tight arrangements and exquisite trumpet & sax solos by Adams and his partners make the day. "Always take two" excels in this department as well as "Awaken". There's a couple of smooth jazz pleasers, the very cool "Five to Eleven" and "What's it gonna be" and even a short straight-ahead jazz in "Bop Drop". Nick Milo and Joey Navarro in keyboards with Milo partnering Adams in the rhythm arrangements, James Wirrick guitar, Brian Allen bass, Evan Stone drums and Johnny Sandoval percussion complete the rest of this outstanding band. Recorded and mixed to perfection by Carmen Grillo "East Bay Soul" is full circle for a gifted musician like Greg Adams a true survivor of an era where rhythm sections ruled.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Easy listening..., February 20, 2010

By 

A. E. - See all my reviews

This review is from: East Bay Soul (Audio CD)

A founding member of TOP (Tower of Power), Greg Adams takes you back...but not all the way back. He adds that special something...his own touch, that separates him and his wonderful 21st century troubadours from the rest. There are no audio samples, but if you are familiar with Greg's music, just think "Roadhouse" with vocals. Remember, this is East Bay Soul...so it showcases the talents of all of the members of the band and they've done a fantastic job. Great vocals in Reading Lips, with a similar rhythm rolling into Jump, Shout and Holler and the stylings of Sean Holt. Don't forget your flugel in What's It Gonna Be. My favs: Awaken and Five to Eleven (very sweet flugel and trombone).

You know Greg's work or you wouldn't be reading this. I say, don't pay any attention to the naysayers on this review board. Try it on for size and make your own decision. The Feb. 1 reviewer is really melodramatic in his description of what was SO wrong with this CD. It just astounds me that one would spend so much time and energy on something they don't like. Opinions on music is very subjective...decide for yourself. Enjoy!