Emilio Castillo of Tower of Power joins Ross Boissoneau to discuss career-shaping albums by Curtis Mayfield, Howard Tate and the Spinners.

The story of the Nashboro record label shines a light at the intersection of music, commerce and faith. You May Also Like: Ron Miles – ‘Rainbow Sign’ (2020) Robert Cray – ‘That’s What I Heard’ (2020) Royal Southern Brotherhood – The Royal Gospel (2016)

Make fun of the “Saturday Night Fever” all you want, but our group won’t be leaving for their doomed trek without this oft-dissed soundtrack. You May Also Like: Bob Dylan’s Elvis Movie: ‘Hearts of Fire’ (1986) Love It or Hate It, the Beatles’ ‘Magical Mystery Tour’ Film Always Intrigues ‘BecomingRead More

As the 1960s turned into the 1970s, soul — like rock — got tougher and edgier. You May Also Like: Curtis Andrews, “Tight Rope, Short Walk” from ‘Speaking Hands’ (2021): Something Else! video premiere Tower of Power’s Emilio Castillo: The Albums That Shaped My Career

by S. Victor Aaron Around the same time William Parker released the culmination of an epic Curtis Mayfield project that spanned live performances over seven years, Parker quietly released a decidedly more personal and discreet affair, Uncle Joe’s Spirit House. Dedicated to his 92-year-old uncle Joe and his wife ofRead More

When we last visited the music of the brilliant bassist and composer William Parker three years ago, he was putting his poetry to his music on Corn Meal Dance. Yesterday, he introduced a new album that again revolves around poetry but this time it’s based on the poetic music ofRead More

by S. Victor Aaron As the sixties turned into the seventies, soul, like rock, got tougher and edgier. In 1971 alone, Sly Stone’s There’s A Riot Goin’ On, Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On and Gil Scott-Heron‘s Pieces Of A Man raised the stakes in R&B that was serious, far-reaching andRead More