Album of the Day

Tower of Power followed their self-titled album with BACK TO OAKLAND, and that Warner Bros. collection might be even better than its breakthrough predecessor. Of course, the Bay Area band's justly legendary horn section performs superbly, but the rhythm section kicks out some pretty tough grooves as well, and vocalist Lenny Williams really comes into his own here. Bookended by the wonderful “Oakland Stroke,” the gritty, soulful originals include such highlights as “Time Will Tell,” instrumental favorite “Squib Cakes,” and Top 40 single “Don't Change Horses (in the Middle of a Stream).” Released in 1974 and still mighty funky, BACK TO OAKLAND captures Tower of Power in its prime.