Lucky fellow Scott Preston interviewed Emilio Castillo from Tower of Power.

No matter who you are, where you live, or your taste in music, Tower of Power will find you. And once that happens, it's all over. You will come to believe not only that soul music is the salvation of us all, but that Tower of Power is one of those rare bands who can claim to be the real deal, 100 proof, aged-to-perfection, ground zero Soul. And the thing is, they're everywhere now.

Who's next?

Interview by Scott Preston  read more on  Cincy Groove

Master drummer/producer Norman Connors has been away from the recording scene for almost six years now but out of studio doesn't mean out work. The man who first brought the likes of Phyllis Hyman, Michael Henderson and Glenn Jones to public attention vai his mid-Seventies albums for Arista and Buddah is quick to point out that he's been performing pretty consistently throughout that time.

Whilst the name Miki Howard may be new to you, the gifted vocaliste is anything but a newcomer. In fact, quite the contrary because Miki's prior main claim to fame was as lead singer with Side Effect, a group who were by the critics but whose commercial pedigree never materialised.

You know, it's been fourteen years since "If Loving You Is Wrong" and something like nine years since we last had an album from Luther Ingram. And yet, after one listen to Luther's new album (rather unimaginatively tagged "Luther Ingram"), it's as if the crooner has never been away. But he has!

It is safe to say that, if sheer talent and vocal ability, was ever the true yardstick of an artist?s popularity someone like David Sea would be massive, a worldwide musical phenomenon.

However, as I?m sure you know, the world of soul music is littered with talented figures who have not had the recognition their special gifts merited and, without indulging oneself in that age old myth about suffering and ?paying ones dues?. The life of David Sea is one of the definitive soul survivor, a remarkable vocalist, remaining faithful to his roots despite any setbacks or negatives that the world could throw out.

I'd say my new album is all about getting to basics, back to square one, to what people want to hear from me." So says Stephanie Mills and the young lady's got a valid point, given that her current single "I Feel Good All Over" is truly leaping up the black music charts in the States and her album, "If I Were Your Woman" is turning into one of her biggest sellers.

"I Must Not Be Kinky" is the intriguing title of a new four track mini album from Tina Harris, a white R&B singer who has been working in and around the Los Angeles area for a few years. The mini album is released on Shanachie Records and includes one song produced by Lenny White and another two written by Bus Boys leader Kevin O'Neal.

As his official Geffen Records' bio states, "John White sings with the authority and control of some of R&B's finest vocalists ..." and after listening to the gentleman's debut LP, "Night People", it would be tough to disagree.

You may be forgiven if you think 'Deja' has a sort of familiar ring. The name may be new, but the duo boast a partnership spanning more than ten years. And though the name alludes to something we've seen before, Curt Jones and Starleanna Young are looking forward to the future, not back to the past. Dropping the name Aurra is a positive move to exorcise ghosts from the past, and start afresh with a whole new sound.

Alexander O' Neal is undoubtedly one of our music's "Mr Nice Guy" contenders ? a man of enormous talent but whose feet remain firmly planted on the ground.
While stardom may have its attractions, Alexander is more concerned with being a good father to his children and bringing them up to fully exploit whatever talents they might possess but, at the same time, temper any resultant success with all due humility.

OFTEN, when a lead vocalist leaves a successful group, it comes as surprise to the rest of the world. However, there are usually very strong underlying reasons that simply didn't come to the attention of the public. Certainly, that was true of the Lionel Richie-Commodores and Jeffrey Osborne-LTD splits. And, to a lesser degree, it's the case in the {safm}Howard Hewett{/safm}-Shalamar parting of ways.

Niemand in Nederland heeft zo'n grote betekenis voor het fenomeen remixen gehad als Ben Liebrand. Hij is de pionier, de uitvinder en de grootmeester. Hij was een van de eersten ter wereld die als man achter de knoppen op de hoes en in de titel van een nummer werd vermeld. De toevoeging The Ben Liebrand Remix' werd op een zeker moment een garantie voor verkoopsucces, waarbij de naam van de artiest nauwelijks meer ter zake deed. Inmiddels heeft de remix een andere betekenis voor de popmuziek gekregen, en heeft Liebrand zijn werkterrein uitgebreid naar grafisch werk. Maar hij maakt nog steeds muziek, en heeft er veel over te vertellen. We hadden een inspirerend gesprek over de invloed van de Minimix, hardware versus software, en de gevolgen van zijn succes.