Biography
Horndrivenradio.com 10-26-09
We are also glad to have back in our rotation the new TOP cover song from Tony Adamo "This Time It's Real". Tony's music can be found at www.strokeland.com. Lastly, we are continuing to play three songs from Greg Adams new project "East Bay Soul".
TONY ADAMO IS ROLLIN’ WITH A LEAN MEAN FUNK MACHINE
Franki LaMantia, New York City, New York
www.strokeland.com
Tony Adamo kicks it into high gear with help from the rollin’ lean mean funk machine: Eddie Henderson (trumpet), Mike Clark (drums), and Richie Goods (bass). Adamo’s long time guitarist/producer, Jerry Stucker, brought this mighty trio of great players together at Dubway Recording Studios, New York City. There the three recorded on two songs for Adamo’s new 2010 release. One of the songs is a second cover of a Tower of Power hit song. The other song is a cover of a 70’s pop hit that also grooves with the bad to the bone vibes of the legendary guitarist, Blackbyrd McKnight. Mcknight recently recorded on two cuts for Adamo’s new CD. “This Time it’s Real,” is Adamo’s first cover of a TOP hit song. It can be downloaded at www.strokeland.com. Strokeland Records is owned by the Stephen ‘Doc’ Kupka, a founding member of Tower of Power.
DIG THE PLAYERS:
Eddie Henderson (trumpet) is now on staff at Juilliard School of Music. His bio-gigs include: Herbie Hancock, Art Blakey, John Handy, Joe Henderson and Charles Earland.
Mike Clark’s (drums) Blueprints of Jazz Volume 1 is listed as one of the best new CDs of 2008, Downbeat Magazine. Clarke’s bio-gigs include: Herbie Hancock and the Head Hunters, Wayne Shorter, Al Jarreau, Joe Henderson and Larry Goldings.
Richie Goods (bass) is an alumni of Berkley School of Music. Good’s bio-gigs include: Head Hunters, Christine Aguilera, Michael Wolff, Whitney Houston and his band, Nuclear Fusion.
Blackbyrd McKnight’s bio-gigs include: Herbie Hancock, the Head Hunters, Funkadelics, Sonny Rollins, George Clinton and the Pfunk All Stars, Bootsy Collins and Charles Lloyd.
GET HIP TO IT!
Denver's Smooth Jazz Radio Station KKHI 101.9 is spinning Tony Adamo's cover of the Tower of Power hit "This Time It's Real". Request it at kkhi1019.com
www.strokeland.com
www.myspace.com/tonyrocadamo
Horndrivenradio Spins Tony Adamo
Also, we continue to play three songs from “Sage” who just released their 40th Anniversary CD (a three song CD, in advance of their full CD coming out in 2010). Still in the mix as well is a new song from “East Bay Soul” titled “Survival Of The Hippest” (CD due out in September of this year), and an offering from “Tony Adamo”, which is a cover of the “Tower Of Power” classic, “This Time Its Real” (this song can be purchased as an MP3 directly from “Strokeland Records”.
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- A STROKELAND FIRST! DOWNLOAD THE NEW TONY ADAMO EXCLUSIVE PRE-RELEASE! www.strokeland.com
For the first time ever, Strokeland Records is releasing the full version of a new song for download long before the CD is released. Tony Adamo's hot new remake of the classic Tower of Power hit "This Time It's Real" is available TODAY for download as an MP3 file.
You can DOWNLOAD THE FULL SONG TODAY from right here on the Strokeland web site with no copy protection hassles.
This smooth, funky arrangement by Jerry Stucker, covered by Strokeland Records artist Tony Adamo, was written by Tower of Power co-founders, Stephen 'Doc' Kupka and Emilio Castillo. Mic Gillette, who has arranged and recorded on six Adamo/Stucker songs, wrote a funk show-time arrangement for this new cover and laid down the brass. Tom E. Politizer of TOP was brought in for the lead solo, and Doc Kupka, the Funky Doctor himself, anchored the horn section.
Adamo's smooth, sensuous vocals and a hot TOP horn section, along with a killer rhythm section make this song the sound of the summer.
DOWNLOAD "THIS TIME IT'S REAL" NOW!
TONY ADAMO This Time It's Real (single) Strokland Records / UrbanZone Records smoothjazz.com
Singer/songwriter and Strokeland Records recording artist, Tony Roc Adamo and producer/guitarist Jerry Stucker have teamed up to re-work Tower of Power’s tune, “This Time It’s Real.” The result is an intoxicating smooth groove that breathes new life into the TOP classic. Great minds think alike… as when the duo brought the remake idea to Tower’s Doc Kupka, he had already been thinking of ideas on retooling the tune! Reportedly Kupka was very impressed with the arrangement ideas on “This Time It’s Real” and gave the green light to re-record it. Not just that… but he also joined in the horn section in the recording session and is featured on the remake with current TOP saxman Tom Politzer as well as Mic Gillette along with A-List musicians including organist Neil Larson (Gregg Allman, BB King). The song is a smash and is currently being featured in high rotation on SmoothJazz.com Radio and will be included on Adamo’s 2010 album release. ~SANDY SHORE smoothjazz.com
TONY ADAMO COVERS TOWER OF POWER
Fred Harris
Los Angeles, CA
Singer-songwriter, Tony Adamo and his producer-guitarist, Jerry Stucker have re-grooved the Tower of Power (TOP) song “This Time It’s Real,” and have added their unmistakable smooth groove to this TOP hit classic. Adamo told us that during a recent meditation he had a musical insight about the music for a cover for this tune. He brought the idea to his producer, Jerry Stucker who immediately contacted “Doc” Kupka about a remake. This was when they discovered that “Doc” had been thinking about retooling “This Time It’s Real” along with several other TOP tunes. “Doc” was knocked out when he heard the rough mix and gave the high sign for them groove on.
The horn section for Adamo’s new cover of “This Time It’s Real” is made up of current TOP members, “Doc” Kupka, Tom Politzer (solo) and returning member, Mic Gillette, who wrote the horn arrangement for the remake. “Doc” suggested Adamo take a listen to several other TOP classics including “Recapture the Magic” and “Knock Yourself Out.” Adamo and Stucker now have several other TOP tunes simmering on the back burner.
On August 1st, Sandy Shore of Smoothjazz.com is launching a national radio promo for “This Time It’s Real.” This song will definitely be added to Adamo’s new 2010 CD release. For more information go to www.mypace.com/tonyrocadamo
Tony Adamo and Rhythm and Jazz Radio
Category: Music
RHYTHM & JAZZ RADIO
Rhythm & Jazz Radio now has Tony's "This Time It's Real" on it's playlist! Stop by and enjoy Rhythm & Jazz!
www.rhythmandjazz.com www.strokeland.com www.myspace.com/tonyrocadamo
Raoul Fernandes of horndrivenradio.com reports. Your song"This Time It's Real" is scoring a 4 out 5 with the listeners. Sandy Shore of Smoothjazz.com goes national with radio marketing for "This Time It's Real" Aug 1st. The horn section is made up of current Tower Of Power members Doc Kupka, Tom Politzer and returning member Mic Gillette. Guitarist/producer Jerry Stucker brought in R&B/Soul -legend drummer, James Gadson (Bill Withers, Herbie Hancock and Quincy Jones),The organist Neil Larson (Gregg Allman, B.B. King, Whitney Houston), and Reggie McBride on bass (Stevie Wonder, Al Jarreau, Keb’Mo’)
www.strokeland.com www.myspace.com/tonyrocadamo
As we mentioned last month, Strokeland Records artist Tony Adamo is releasing a cover song from the Eastbay's own “Tower Of Power”. Tony and record producer/guitarist Jerry Stucker, have dusted off the classic “This Time It’s Real”, and added their own “take” to the song.
“This Time It’s Real” is the first song from a new CD (Untitled) to be released by Tony Adamo in 2010. It will soon be released for airplay, but you can hear it here first, at HornDrivenRadio.com. We currently have this new offering in our rotation, and it will play three times in our nearly nine hour rotation.
Guitarist/producer Jerry Stucker brought in R&B/Soul -legend drummer, James Gadson (Bill Withers, Herbie Hancock and Quincy Jones),The organist Neil Larson (Gregg Allman, B.B. King, Whitney Houston), and Reggie McBride on bass (Stevie Wonder, Al Jarreau, Keb’Mo’) to record the rhythm tracks on the song. The horn section is made up of current Tower Of Power members Doc Kupka, Tom Politzer and returning member Mic Gillette.
For more information on Tony Adamo, please visit Tony at www.myspace.com/tonyrocadamo
Posted by Raoul Fernandes
HornDrivenRadio.com will be the first U.S. radio station to break Tony Adamo's new MP3, “This Time it’s Real.”
Tony Adamo’s New Strokeland Records Release
Fred E. Harris, Los Angeles, CA
The soul funk artistry of Strokeland recording artist Tony Adamo is about to hit the radio airwaves in the form of a previous hit song written by Tower of Power (TOP) co-founders Stephen “Doc” Kupka and Emilio Castillo. TOP members, Doc Kupka, Tom Politzer and returning member Mic Gillette add their funky horns to this cover song, another funk pop hit to be.
In keepin’ his ear to the street, guitarist/producer Jerry Stucker added R&B/Soul -legend drummer, James Gadson (Bill Withers, Herbie Hancock and Quincy Jones),The funked-out organist Neil Larson (Gregg Allman, B.B. King, Whitney Houston), and the soulful playing of Reggie McBride on bass (Stevie Wonder, Al Jarreau, Keb’Mo’).
Jim Santella of L.A. JAZZ SCENE MAGAZINE digs Adamo’s strong original style and says, “He sings with the bold character of a man who knows how to entertain, recalling pop singers Tom Jones, David Clayton-Thomas and Brook Benton, as well as jazz singers Al Jarreau and Mark Murphy.” With Tony Adamo’s smooth funk vocals, the triple threat of TOP horns and the rhythm section applying pressure to the groove, this song will be the sound of the summer. Horn Driven Radio (Raoul Fernandez) will be the first U.S. radio station to break this new MP3, “This Time it’s Real.”
For more information on Adamo go to: www.myspace.com/tonyrocadamo
www.strokeland.com
Tony Adamo’s Soul Funk Session/Strokeland Records
Fred E. Harris
Los Angeles, CA
Matt Boudreau’s Broken Radio Recording Studio, San Francisco, California was the perfect sound back drop for the soul funk artistry of singer-songwriter Tony Adamo’s smooth funk vocals and Jerry Stucker’s in the pocket production of a new cover for a Tower of Power (TOP) hit tune. The funky knockin’ song covered by Strokeland Record artist, Tony Adamo was written by Tower of Power co-founders, Stephen “Doc” Kupka and Emilio Castillo. This historical session was photographed by famed photographer, Mark Leialoha.
When “Doc” got hip to this new Adamo/Stucker arrangement he was in the groove and immediately signed on for the horn section. Mic Gillette, who has arranged and recorded on six Adamo/Stucker songs, wrote a funk show time arrangement for this new cover. Tom E. Politizer of TOP was brought in to do the lead solo. This funkifided TOP horn section combination blew the roof right off the Broken Radio Recording Studio sending their funky musical vibes into the soundosphere! At the end of the recording session “Doc” suggested two more TOP songs for Adamo to cover. Keep your ear to the streets for more to come.
www.strokeland.com
www.myspace.com/tonyrocadamo
TONY ADAMO’S NEW GROOVE COVER ON A TOWER OF POWER TUNE
Fred Harris, UrbanZone Records
Los Angeles, CA
Singer-songwriter, Tony Adamo’s producer, Jerry Stucker was back in Los Angeles at Capitol Studios and Mastering working on new music tracks for Adamo’s new CD release.
In the mixed bag of Adamo/Stucker originals recorded at Capitol is a liquid cool cover of a song written by Tower of Power’s (TOP) Stephen “Doc” Kupka and Emilio Castillo. “Doc” was so funkified after hearing this fresh, new groove cover with Adamo’s distinctive, smooth funky vocals and Stucker’s in the pocket arrangement, that he immediately signed on to head up the horn section for this tune. Organist, Neil Larsen laid down his smooth funk grooves on this hip to the bone new jam while drummer, James Gadson boosted the beat and kept the funk rollin to this new funk pop hit to be.
Tony Adamo recently became a Strokeland Record artist. Strokeland Records is owned by the legendary Stephen “Doc” Kupka of TOP fame. For more information on Tony Adamo go to www.myspace.com/tonyrocadamo or www.strokeland.com
STROKELAND WEEK ON HORNDRIVENRADIO.COM!
It's STROKELAND week on HornDrivenRadio.com! That's right... nothing but real-deal East Bay Soul and jazz, Strokeland style... and it's available 24/7. Our good friends at HornDrivenRadio.com are featuring ALL the Strokeland artists from now through next week. This is a perfect chance to discover a Strokeland artist that you weren't familiar with such as Tony Adamo,Mic Gillette,Strokeland Super Band,John Lee Sanders,Larry Braggs or hear some of your favorites at work or at home. Stop by and listen and tell 'em Strokeland sent ya!Stephan Doc’ Kupka, the legendary baritone saxophonist and founding member of the super funk/rock band, Tower of Power (TOP), founded Strokeland in 1998 with Andy Ebon as Director of Operations. In 2006 Steve Finch took over as Director. www.serokeland.com
STROKELAND RECORDS DIGS TONY ADAMO’S FUNKY GROOVE
Fred Harris, UrbanZone Records
Los Angeles, CA
Tony Adamo, power house singer/songwriter has been signed by Strokeland Records for music distribution and entertainment PR. Strokeland is home of the East Bay (Oakland/San Francisco) soul music sound. ‘Doc’ Kupka, the legendary baritone saxophonist and founding member of the super funk/rock band, Tower of Power (TOP), founded Strokeland in 1998 with Andy Ebon as Director of Operations. In 2006 Steve Finch took over as Director of Operations.
Strokeland will oversee the sale and distribution (America and Europe) of Adamo’s CD, STRAIGHT UP DEAL produced by guitarist/producer, Jerry Stucker. Listen for past TOP alumni members in the horn section along with ‘Doc’ Kupka. Mic Gillette wrote the horn arrangements for “No Strings, Groove Therapy, Up in It, and Mercy, Mercy, Mercy.” “Groove Therapy,” written by Adamo/Sucker is about the funky doctor, ‘Doc’ Kupka himself. Take a listen to this extremely funky groove at www.strokeland.com
More info on Tony Adamo at www.myspace.com/tonyrocadamo
For more info on artist, Tony Adamo go to www.myspace.com/tonyrocadamo
Info on Tony Adamo: www.myspace.com/tonyrocadamo and CDBaby
Mike Clark's Fat Beats for Tony Adamo
Singer-songwriter, Tony Adamo's long time producer-guitarist, Jerry Stucker and drumming icon, Mike Clark were in New York City at the Bedford Studios laying down tracks for Adamo's new CD. Andy Tommasi assisted producer, Jerry Stucker at the Quad Eight board. Clark gained worldwide fame as one of America's foremost jazz and funk drummers while playing with Herbie Hancock's group, The Headhunters. It is widely accepted that Clark is one of the few in the category of Elvin Jones and Tony Williams to have changed the fundamental language of the drums.
Clark recently recorded on Tony Adamo's CD, STRAIGHT UP DEAL. Adamo's been getting rave reviews. No wonder, top musicians dig his music and want to record with him. Stuart Hamilton of Amazon.co.uk said "The first thing that leaps out at you is the voice. Imagine, if you can, Lou Rawls fronting Tower of Power." Sandy Shore of Smoothjazz.com put Adamo on the same note with Santana, Jefferson Airplane/Starship and Tower of Power and a whole handful of jazz greats. She said "Singer-songwriter, Tony Adamo fits perfectly in the fray with his deep, sultry, commanding voice and grasp for the groove. Think Lou Reed but funkified."
Producer-guitarist, Jerry Stucker recently released his first solo CD, IT'S ALL A GROOVE on UrbanZone Records. Michael Molenda of Guitar Player magazine says of Stucker's guitar playing "At a time when so many players claim to be funky, Jerry Sucker is not only FUNKY, but he's a one-man encyclopedia of slinky, skanky, rock steady and greasy rhythms. His guitar tone is sparkling, and his parts always stab and dance all over the rhythm, finding ways to propel, accent and add excitement to a song's groove."
A Review By: Edward Blanco, Ejazznews
www.myspace.com/tonyrocadamo
Bay area vocalist Tony Adamo garnished a five star rating from Smoothjazz.com for his latest release, "Straight Up Deal." However, there's a lot more to the smooth jazz sound found on this recording than what they would have you believe. Tony Adamo, equipped with a deep baritone voice, belts out some real gyrating funk, R&B;and soulful jazz tunes on this fourteen piece CD, which also includes a selection of straight ahead beautiful contemporary jazz vocals.
Adamo records the album with nineteen players among them, funk bassist Paul Jackson, saxophone great Ernie Watts and trumpeter Eddie Henderson. He also enlists the help of The Tower of Power Horns which appear on five tracks.
As I previously alluded to, the music is quite varied with three of the first four tracks firmly grounded in the funk genre ("No Strings," "Passport," and "Up In It"). Ernie Watts showcases his sax on the R&B;-shaded "In The Winelight," while Adamo gets jazzy on the first straight jazz number in "Milestones," with the trumpet voice of Eddie Henderson setting the pace.
Tunes like "Autumn Leaves," "Wouldn't You," "Stolen Moments," and "Speak Low" fall in the smooth jazz side of the music where Adamo shines singing beautiful lyrics from some great standards. One of my favorite numbers is the spunky and lively "Lolita" featuring the Tower of Power Horns.
"Straight Up Deal" reveals the vocal talents of a superior singer who is able to convey the essence of different musical styles with ease and grace. An album that will obviously appeal to a broad audience considering the varied selection of music on this disc. I enjoyed the album; it was truly a "Straight Up Deal" from Tony Adamo.
A Review By: Sandy Shore, smoothjazz.com
TONY ADAMO Straight Up Deal Urbanzone Records - GETS FIVE STARS
www.myspace.com/tonyrocadamo
For those who haven't experienced it...there's a mystique to the San Francisco bay area at night. It's unique to the 'City by the Bay.' Over the years many artists have captured this vibrant, earthy electricity and stuck it in the middle of their music regardless of genre.
Santana, Jefferson Airplane/Starship, Tower of Power come to mind...and a whole handful of jazz greats. Bay area singer/songwriter Tony Adamo fits perfectly in this fray with his deep, sultry, commanding voice and grasp for groove. Think Lou Reed but funkified. Tony began writing during his tour of duty in the Gulf War (the first one). The 15-hour workdays were exhausting, but the artist found the exotic scenery enticing and incorporated his poetry writing skills into song ideas by writing about the desert. A poet at heart, Tony Adamo presents some beautiful originals here. He writes with his long time collaborator Jerry Stucker who is also responsible for producing Tony's recordings. Jerry actually has an original on this recording as well, a cool sensual tune called "Midnight Cafe." Another Adamo/Stucker original is the anthem to Tower of Power's Doc Kupka (who is featured on bari sax) "Groove Therapy." You'll also find some really intriguing covers such as "In The Winelight," the late Joe Zawinul's "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" and the Miles Davis penned "Milestones." First call musicians are on board making for a sonically stellar recording including Ernie Watts, Paul Jackson, James Gadson and Neil Larsen. STRAIGHT UP DEAL is just that!
Instrumentation
Discography
A Review By: Edward Blanco, Ejazznews
www.myspace.com/tonyrocadamo
Bay area vocalist Tony Adamo garnished a five star rating from Smoothjazz.com for his latest release, "Straight Up Deal." However, there's a lot more to the smooth jazz sound found on this recording than what they would have you believe. Tony Adamo, equipped with a deep baritone voice, belts out some real gyrating funk, R&B;and soulful jazz tunes on this fourteen piece CD, which also includes a selection of straight ahead beautiful contemporary jazz vocals.
Adamo records the album with nineteen players among them, funk bassist Paul Jackson, saxophone great Ernie Watts and trumpeter Eddie Henderson. He also enlists the help of The Tower of Power Horns which appear on five tracks.
As I previously alluded to, the music is quite varied with three of the first four tracks firmly grounded in the funk genre ("No Strings," "Passport," and "Up In It"). Ernie Watts showcases his sax on the R&B;-shaded "In The Winelight," while Adamo gets jazzy on the first straight jazz number in "Milestones," with the trumpet voice of Eddie Henderson setting the pace.
Tunes like "Autumn Leaves," "Wouldn't You," "Stolen Moments," and "Speak Low" fall in the smooth jazz side of the music where Adamo shines singing beautiful lyrics from some great standards. One of my favorite numbers is the spunky and lively "Lolita" featuring the Tower of Power Horns.
"Straight Up Deal" reveals the vocal talents of a superior singer who is able to convey the essence of different musical styles with ease and grace. An album that will obviously appeal to a broad audience considering the varied selection of music on this disc. I enjoyed the album; it was truly a "Straight Up Deal" from Tony Adamo.
A Review By: Sandy Shore, smoothjazz.com
TONY ADAMO Straight Up Deal Urbanzone Records - GETS FIVE STARS
www.myspace.com/tonyrocadamo
For those who haven't experienced it...there's a mystique to the San Francisco bay area at night. It's unique to the 'City by the Bay.' Over the years many artists have captured this vibrant, earthy electricity and stuck it in the middle of their music regardless of genre.
Santana, Jefferson Airplane/Starship, Tower of Power come to mind...and a whole handful of jazz greats. Bay area singer/songwriter Tony Adamo fits perfectly in this fray with his deep, sultry, commanding voice and grasp for groove. Think Lou Reed but funkified. Tony began writing during his tour of duty in the Gulf War (the first one). The 15-hour workdays were exhausting, but the artist found the exotic scenery enticing and incorporated his poetry writing skills into song ideas by writing about the desert. A poet at heart, Tony Adamo presents some beautiful originals here. He writes with his long time collaborator Jerry Stucker who is also responsible for producing Tony's recordings. Jerry actually has an original on this recording as well, a cool sensual tune called "Midnight Cafe." Another Adamo/Stucker original is the anthem to Tower of Power's Doc Kupka (who is featured on bari sax) "Groove Therapy." You'll also find some really intriguing covers such as "In The Winelight," the late Joe Zawinul's "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" and the Miles Davis penned "Milestones." First call musicians are on board making for a sonically stellar recording including Ernie Watts, Paul Jackson, James Gadson and Neil Larsen. STRAIGHT UP DEAL is just that!
Review By Stuart Hamilton- Amazon.co.uk
www.myspace.com/tonyrocadamo
Jazz vocalist Tony Adamo has taken a sideways step with his latest CD, moving into a world of late night New Orleans style funk, rhythm and Blues, despite its origins in the plastic world of Hollywood, California. The first thing that leaps out you is the voice. Imagine, if you can, Lou Rawls fronting Tower of Power, and you'll have an idea of where the music offered up here is coming from. And it's a mighty fine place to be, especially on the self penned material which just pulses with late night grooves.
With a punchy horn section blowing in all the right places and a funky rhythm section hitting all the right beats, the topping of Neil Larsens organ is just icing on the cake. Actually, I've just been reading the credits and not only is Groove Therapy one of the highlights but it actually features the legendary Doc Kupka from Tower of Power blowing baritone sax on a tribute to - Doc Kupka! So, looks like that "Lou Rawls fronting Tower of Power" statement I made earlier may be right on the mark. The album also features an appearance by another legend in the shape of Paul Jackson, bass guitarist from Herbie Hancock's Head Hunters.
Although Adamo does sometimes slip into pure jazz, it's when he sticks to the sultry and sweaty grooves of Joe Zawinul's Mercy Mercy Mercy and his own No Strings, Lolita and the aforementioned Groove Therapy that he really makes his mark. The album does veer around a bit in style and flavour, which is slightly to its detriment as the ballads, in particular, miss the mark. It actually would have been a better album shorn of the two closing numbers Stolen Moments and Speak Low, which drift away rather than finishing with a killer blow. But the vocals and performances do make it worth a listen, especially when that irresistible groove kicks in.
Links
| http://www.myspace.com/tonyrocadamo |