Urban Renewal (Tower of Power album)

Urban Renewal is a Tower of Power album recorded in 1974 and released in 1975. It's also the last album to feature lead singer Lenny Williams, who would leave to continue a successful solo career. Plus drummer David Garibaldi left temporarily, although he does appear on the song "Willing To Learn" which was the first single released on the album. David Bartlett takes the reins as drummer for this album. Also conga player Brent Byars left after the previous album Back to Oakland, with Carter Collins taking over for him on this album.

Urban Renewal
Studio album by
Tower of Power
ReleasedJanuary 1975
Recorded1974 at Record Plant, Sausalito, California
GenreFunk, soul
Length37:46
LabelWarner Bros. Records
ProducerEmilio Castillo
Tower of Power chronology
Back to Oakland
(1974)		 Urban Renewal
(1975)		 In the Slot
(1975)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic link
Christgau's Record GuideB+[1]

Track listing
  1. "Only So Much Oil in the Ground" (Stephen "Doc" Kupka, Emilio Castillo) 3:46
  2. "Come Back, Baby" (Bruce Conte, Lenny Williams) 3:21
  3. "It's Not the Crime" (Stephen "Doc" Kupka, Emilio Castillo) 1:45
  4. "I Won't Leave Unless You Want Me To" (Stephen "Doc" Kupka, Emilio Castillo, Greg Adams) 3:28
  5. "Maybe It'll Rub Off" (Stephen "Doc" Kupka, Emilio Castillo, Chester D.Thompson) 3:15
  6. "(To Say the Least) You're the Most" (Johnny "Guitar" Watson) 2:28
  7. "Willing to Learn" (Emilio Castillo, Stephen "Doc" Kupka) 4:35
  8. "Give Me the Proof" (David Bartlett) 2:35
  9. "It Can Never Be the Same" (Bruce Conte, Stephen "Doc" Kupka, Emilio Castillo) 4:43
  10. "I Believe in Myself" (Emilio Castillo, Stephen "Doc" Kupka) 2:00
  11. "Walkin' Up Hip Street" (Chester D.Thompson) 5:50

Production
  • Produced by Emilio Castillo
  • Arrangements: Greg Adams, Chester D.Thompson
  • Engineer: Alan Chinowsky, Tom Flye
  • Mastering: Lee Herschberg

Personnel
Tower of Power
  • Lenny Williams - lead vocals
  • Bruce Conte - guitars, backing vocals
  • Chester D.Thompson - keyboards, organ, acoustic piano, clavinet, backing vocals, bass pedals
  • Francis "Rocco" Prestia - bass guitar
  • David Bartlett - drums (except "Willing To Learn")
  • David Garibaldi - drums on "Willing To Learn"
  • Carter Collins - congas, percussion
  • Greg Adams - trumpet, flugelhorn
  • Emilio Castillo - tenor saxophone, backing vocals
  • Mic Gillette - trumpet, trombone, backing vocals
  • Stephen Kupka - baritone saxophone
  • Lenny Pickett - clarinet, bass clarinet, alto flute, baritone, tenor & soprano saxophones
Additional musicians
  • Bootche Anderson - vocals
  • Marilyn Scott - vocals
  • Pepper Watkins - vocals

Charts

Album
Chart (1975) Peak
position
Billboard Pop Albums[2] 22
Billboard Top Soul Albums[2] 19

Singles
Year Single Chart positions[3]
US
R&B
1975 "Willing To Learn" 77
1975 "Only So Much Oil In The Ground" 85
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References
  1. Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: T". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved March 16, 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
  2. "Tower Of Power US albums chart history". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2012-12-27.
  3. "Tower Of Power US singles chart history". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2012-12-27.
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