Get down with two funky acts from the '70s as online streaming provides rare audio of Oakland's own Tower Of Power and Rock outfit Little Feat. Both bands throw down back in '74, live at Ultrasonic Studios. These unmistakable sounds are renowned by listeners, one reason why each have been sampled in some of Hip Hop's most classic songs.

Jazz man Nick Manson takes a soulful direction on this 2013 cover of Stevie Wonder's "Living For The City". The overall rearrangement displays Nick's talent with the powerful performance of Larry Braggs from Tower Of Power who provides qualities which are authentic and reminiscent of Stevie's timeless musical vibes.

Words from Nick:

"Recorded last summer at Ocean Way in Nashville. I re-harmed/arranged it and played Rhodes on it. Larry Braggs from Tower Of Power supplies the lead vocal muscle and Darelle Holden provides startling bgvs."

"The Cooker’ offers his own take of the classic Jazz Funk genre, all masterfully propelled forward by the Funkestra core ensemble fortified with two muscular horn sections, one from the UK and one from the US.

Their burning grooves are mixed in with catchy themes and spiced up with fiery solos, creating a well funky stew.

Special guests include Lenny Pickett (Tower of Power, Saturday Night Live), Eric Krasno (Soulive) and Michael B. Nelson's Hornheads (Prince)."



released 16 April 2013
Redtenbacher's Funkestra:

Stefan Redtenbacher (bass, bandleader)
Mike Sturgis (drums)
Eran Kendler (guitar)
Sid Gauld (trumpet)
Jim Hunt (tenor saxophone)
Rob Taggart (Fender Rhodes)
Dave Limina (Hammond B3 organ)

Special guests:

Eric Krasno (guitar)
Lenny Pickett (tenor saxophone)

The Hornheads:

Michael B. Nelson (trombone)
Steve Strand (trumpet)
Dave Jensen (trumpet)
Kenni Holmen (tenor, piccolo and flute)
Kathy Jensen (alto and bari saxophone)

Additional musicians:

Tom Rees-Roberts (trumpet)
Trevor Mires (trombone)
Paul Booth (tenor saxophone)
Phil Todd (baritone saxophone)
Alex Reffgen (tubax)
Christoph Wundrak (flugelhorn)
Oli Savill (percussion)
Fergus Gerrand (percussion)
Gabriel Nuzzoli (percussion)

String section:

Pete Whitfield (section leader, violin and viola)
Julian Cole (violin)
Paulette Bayley (violin)
Sarah Brandwood-Spencer (violin and viola)
Nick Trygstad (cello)
Simon Turner (cello)

Written and produced by Stefan Redtenbacher