By The Strokeland Superband
The Strokeland Superband is back with their anxiously awaited new
release, Bumped Up to First Class, featuring 12 new tunes co-written
by Stephen 'Doc' Kupka and a few of his talented friends. Best known
as a founding member of Tower of Power and a prodigious songwriter,
Doc has once again pulled together the best of the best for this
Strokeland Records release. Founded in 1998, Strokeland Records has
become the launch pad for the Strokeland Superband, a project
featuring a revolving set of musicians with ties to Tower of Power and
other Strokeland bands.
http://www.strokeland.com/bumpedup
Bumped Up to First Class is Strokeland Superband returning to its
roots. Doc's original formula of "sharing the musical goodies" with
big names has come around again, much to the delight of the fans. The
album opens with the funky "It Is What It Is," sung by legendary
frontman Edgar Winter, featuring a kick-ass Hammond B-3 solo by
Chester Thompson of Tower of Power and Santana fame. "Colin Powell"
takes an upbeat, tongue-in-cheek approach to our current political
situation by asking "When will Colin Powell write his tell-all book?"
The album also features several ballads. "All of the Above" is a love
song to that special someone thanking them for all of their positive
attributes. "Soulful Kind of Love" brings to mind some of the classic
ballads that have made Doc one of the most memorable songwriters of
his generation. The rest of the album contains a plethora of amazing
tunes that are guaranteed to get you on your feet. You'll find a
mixture of soul, blues, Latin, and funk that gets your feet tapping,
your fingers snapping, and your head bobbing. Doc has wowed us again
with his ability to modulate at any time, in any direction, and be
completely interesting musically.
http://www.strokeland.com/StrokelandSuperband-ItIsWhatItIs.mp3
Working with co-producer and former Tower of Power guitarist Jeff
Tamelier, Doc has assembled a stellar group of artists to record this
new musical endeavor. Doc credits Jeff with bringing together all of
this talent and making it cohesive. Bumped Up to First Class features
outstanding lead vocals by Mike Finnigan (Crosby, Stills and Nash),
Huey Lewis (Huey Lewis & the News), Alex Ligertwood (Santana), Lydia
Pense (Lydia Pense & Cold Blood), Fred Ross, John Lee Sanders, Edgar
Winter, and the late Frank Biner. The tight, funky horn section is
comprised of original Tower of Power horn section leader Mic Gillette
(Tower of Power/Sons of Champlin/Mic Gillette Jon Smith Project), Lee
Thornburg (Tower of Power/Tonight Show Band), David Woodford (Bonnie
Raitt/Jeff Golub), and the Funky Doctor himself - and all sax solos
feature current Saturday Night Live bandleader and ex-Tower of Power
member Lenny Pickett. Not to be outdone, the rhythm section features
strong performances by Jeff Tamelier (guitar), Mike Finnigan
(keyboards), Chester Thompson (keyboards), as well as current TOP
drummer David Garibaldi and bassist Francis Rocco Prestia, and many
more.
If this music doesn't put a smile on your face, you weren't listening!
There's so much going on - listen closely and you'll hear something
new every time you play it.
"The world needs cheering up and I love making music with Doc." --
Huey Lewis, Huey Lewis & the News
This album is dedicated to the memory of Frank Biner.
Please visit http://www.strokeland.com for more information.
|
|