This is a classic album from saxophone super group Tower of Power. Smooth Jazz saxophonist Dave Koz names this as one of his favourite albums. Find out why you should check it out too.
FACT FILE:
Artist: Tower of Power
Album: Back to Oakland
Released: Warner Bros – 1974
MUSICIANS:
Lenny Pickett – Lead tenor plus alto, sop, bass, flute and picc
Stephen “Doc” Kupka – Bari sax
Greg Adams – Trumpet
Mic Gillette – Trumpet
Bruce Conte – Guitar
Chester Thompson – Organ / Piano
Emilio Castillo – 2nd Tenor
Brent Bryars – Conga
David Garibaldi – Drums
Francis Rocco Prestia – Bass
Lenny Williams – Lead vocals
Why it’s important:
Arguably the best and certainly the most commercially successful album from one of the greatest horn section bands. ‘Back to Oakland’ featured blistering horn section writing and awesome soloing by a young Lenny Pickett who went on to lead the Saturday Night Live band for 20 years.
DAVE KOZ: My Classic Album
This was the first album I bought with my own money. I remember first hearing that horn section with Lenny Pickett and his solos – it just completely slayed me.
There’s something about this album that I connect with and always will. It still stands the test of time, it’s absolutely perfect.
There are Sanborn albums too, like “As We Speak” and “Straight to the Heart” but in terms of the crystallisation of something for me, I think it would be Tower of Power ‘Back to Oakland’.
Now check out this:
“Squib Cakes” from the album Back to Oakland. Check out Lenny Pickett working his way into the stratosphere from 3:10.
ALSO: Watch current T.O.P. lead tenor Tom Politzer share his tips on playing Altissimo on sax (It’s awesome!). Watch it here