Customer Reviews

Everybody On The Bus

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

You're probably thinking to yourself that this, in the tradition of bass player albums, is an exercise in musical self-gratification (to use a more polite phrase). Not so.

The man himself, credited for holding down the bottom end for acclaimed Soul/Funk band Tower of Power delivers what he has been doing best for the past 25 years. His signature style of 16th note muted fingerstyle funk is the driving force for all the songs on the album without once taking a solo.

With fellow TOP regulars Jeff Tamelier on guitar, David Garibaldi and Herman Mathews on drums, Nick Milo on Keyboards and Brandon Fields on Sax, don't expect this outing to deviate too much from the regular TOP formula of dishing up middle-of-the-road-funk, except with less prominent horns. Not to say that this isn't a musically proficient production, but rather the funk element comes off almost too clean and digitized rather than earthy inspired.

Still, the album is a good listen, especially for those familiar with the Bay Area Soul sound of the 70s. Recommended tracks are: Solid like the Rock, the remake of Express Yourself, and Don't need No Changes. In all, a good backdrop for showcasing the bass legend, credited for being an influence by no less than Jaco Pastorius.

Very impressive bass work and compositions. A must have for T.O.P. fans

Hmmm....well, let's see. You've got Rocco (bassist for the legendary soul/funk band, Tower of Power), you've got Bruce Conte, you've got Chester Thompson on keyboards, you've got David Garibaldi and Herman Matthews on drums, you've got Biner, Champlin, Grillo, and the incomparable Brent Carter handling the vocals, you've got Kupka/Castillo collaborating on a couple of the tracks: Hmmm...this is Tower without the Power of the horn section. But what a nice and refreshing change it is! There isn't a throw-away track on this CD, but a couple bear special mention: Brent Carter just really shines on Double Identity and I was especially impressed with Tamara Champlin's vocals on Express Yourself--reminiscent of the Staple Singers. Baby Don't Go features a strong bass line that actually makes you feel the plucking of the guitar strings. I'm So Glad has a unique presence that strikes me every time I hear it. There are also two worthy instrumentals that allow the musicians to shine each in their own right. You ought to get on the bus if you haven't already--it's worth the trip!

This is an awesome CD. Rocco Prestia, best known as the originator of "Fingerstyle Funk" bass as played by himself in the funkiest band around, Tower Of Power, has surrounded himself with fine & funky cohorts to really throw it down. Highlights include Brent Carter, Bill & Tamara Champlin, and Frank Biner on vocals, Chester Thompson on B-3 organ, Brandon Fields on sax, and many more.

If you like Tower Of Power, or Cold Blood, Earth Wind & Fire, and other great R&B / Soul / Funk groups, you will like this. It's all excellent!

Typical driving Tower Of Power. Nice variety of singers adds a new dimension to this distinctive sound. Track 2, "Express yourself" starts with a blaring guitar solo that's in your face.

I've had the cd 2 weeks and I still haven't found any tracks I don't like.

This is a great album.

This album is made up of a bunch of pretty good songs with amazing bass playing. The lead singers scream a tad too much in the beginning of the album, and aren't as tasteful about as TOP's Tom Bowes and Hubert Tubbs were. Not many horn parts in it, and when there are it isn't very strong or tasteful. Of course these are all the negative parts about it, but you still have to listen to it with a different ear. If you are looking for a real funky album TOP style, I would recommend TOP's In The Slot, or other good albums instead, but it is still a pretty nice album.

dandaman