Power

POWER may be one of Tower Of Power's lesser-known releases, but it's still a worthy addition to the group's discography. This disc represents the band's mid-'80s lineup that included slick saxophonist Richard Elliot, vocalist Willie Fulton, and the little-known drummer Mick Mestek.

The music here, while definitely in the Oakland funk vein that the band made famous, has an '80s sheen, including period synthesizers, with less of the gritty flavor that had accompanied the group's earlier work. Still, the grooves are tight and funky, the lyrics alternately sassy and smooth, and those famous horns are as stunning as ever. There's no denying that even on their more obscure albums, Tower Of Power never fail to turn out exceptional material that overpowers the efforts of most other artists in their category. Standout cuts include the shuffling "Credit," the mostly instrumental party tune "Boys Night Out," and the emotional ballad "Some Days Were Meant for Rain."