![]() We've got a manager, a business manager, a booking agent, a travel agent, we've got a whole bunch of people behind the scenes that are just planning it out ahead of time." "We got the 10 (band) guys, and six (other) guys go with us. But I love playing these clubs because the fans get a great experience, up close and personal."Ĭastillo added that at this stage, TOP pretty much has its road game "down to a science." "But the drawback is we have to do two shows sometimes. The 72-year-old added that at smaller clubs like Blue Note Tokyo, which seats roughly 300, there's an intimacy the larger halls lack. But having good people with us handling all the details helps immensely." So we're proud of the music and we do it well. And having a good road manager, that's very important.they have a hard job, corralling all the members and making sure the transportation and hotels and all that are lined up. On still touring after 50 years, Kupka said, "We just make sure the music's good. Some came from Europe, but I think the most that flew over were from Japan. The following day, Castillo told Kyodo News in an interview along with Kupka at Blue Note Tokyo, "I think we had more Japanese fans fly over (for the Oakland celebration) than any other country. And (still pointing to Oakland attendees) she's gonna be in it. ![]() We're preparing a DVD documentary for you. "But I got to tell you, you get to party in your living room later. "It was the party of the year," he told the crowd. "And also, how many people came to Oakland to (our 50th Anniversary Celebration in June)?" the 67-year-old asked, pointing directly at a number of Japanese fans holding their hands high. So look for a brand-new TOP in your future." So we have 'Soul Side of Town' but we have this whole other album waiting in the wings to come out in about a year. "Let me just say that we do have this new 's called 'Soul Side of Town.' It took us quite a while to record because we actually recorded two albums. When you get done eating, you've got to promise us you're going to dance with us tonight," he said.Īfter playing "On The Soul Side of Town" from TOP's latest album, second tenor sax man Emilio Castillo, the band's main spokesman and the other co-founder, told the audience, "We're so grateful to be back in Tokyo." ![]() "I know there's a lot of chairs here and tables. Three songs into the first-show performance in Tokyo, the band took a brief breather, allowing new lead vocalist Marcus Scott to ask the still-seated but enthusiastic crowd, "Are you having fun out there?" The 1968-formed "East Bay Kings of Soul" drew on a variety of cuts from their extensive and still-growing catalog while playing to capacity crowds throughout their Japan stay. "Soul Side" debuted in June at the top of the Billboard Jazz Albums and Contemporary Jazz Albums charts, and also made the Independent Albums and R&B/Hip-Hop Albums listings. TOP is also touring in the wake of releasing the successful "Soul Side of Town," the band's 25th album and its first to reach No. (Photo by Tsuneo Koga courtesy of Blue Note Tokyo) ![]() The 10-member band, known in particular for its horn section, recently played double-set dates at Blue Note Tokyo - which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year - concluding with two final sets at Blue Note Nagoya. The Oakland, California-based TOP also made clear the current tour is nowhere near a swan song and their next album release is "in the wings." ![]() "We've now played over a hundred nights in Japan" in the course of a five-decade career, says baritone sax player Stephen "Doc" Kupka, a co-founder of iconic soul band Tower of Power, which this week wrapped up the Japan leg of its worldwide 50th Anniversary Tour. ![]()
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