Tower of Power
Tower of Power · 1973
39 min · 10 tracks · funk
A vibrant blend of brass-driven funk and soulful melodies that grooves with relentless energy and emotional depth.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
What Is Hip? — This track is an infectious exploration of self-awareness and relationships, showcasing the band's tight instrumentation and powerful horn arrangements.
-
→
So Very Hard to Go — Lyrically poignant, this ballad captures heartache beautifully through its soulful delivery and intricate musical backdrop, highlighting the band's versatility.
-
→
Soul Vaccination — With its upbeat tempo and rhythmic complexity, this song serves as an anthem for resilience, perfectly embodying the band's celebratory spirit.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong brass arrangements and vocal interplay, solidifying its place in funk history.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a high-energy brass section in 'What Is Hip?', setting a lively tone that persists through most tracks.
- Several songs feature call-and-response vocals, enhancing the communal feel typical of funk music.
- The last three tracks slow down the tempo significantly, creating a contrast that allows for emotional reflection before the album closes.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady, consistent energy levels
- vibrant background ambiance
- short, engaging listening sessions
- uplifting and feel-good vibes
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album established their reputation and featured the hit 'What Is Hip?'
- Career context
- Released in 1973, Tower of Power was the band's self-titled second album, following their debut 'East Bay Grease'. This album solidified their signature sound and positioned them as a prominent force in the funk genre during the early 1970s.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Earth, Wind & Fire· The Meters· Chic
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 What Is Hip? 5:09
- 2 Clever Girl 2:56
- 3 This Time It's Real 2:54
- 4 Will I Ever Find a Love? 3:51
- 5 Get Yo' Feet Back on the Ground 4:52
- 6 So Very Hard to Go 3:41
- 7 Soul Vaccination 5:13
- 8 Both Sorry Over Nothin' 3:25
- 9 Clean Slate 3:22
- 10 Just Another Day 4:33
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.