Thompson, Chester – Powerhouse – New LP
With a long-standing stint in Tower of Power, Chester Thompson is one of the most decorated and distinguished keyboardist of rock and R&B. It’s little wonder that this 1971 album, then, is one of the rarest and most coveted albums on the highly collectible Black Jazz Records label—it’s Thompson’s debut record from 1971, with a smokin’ band featuring fellow Black Jazz recording artist Rudolph Johnson on sax along with ace drummer Raymond Pounds (Pharoah Sanders, Stevie Wonder, Pointer Sisters) and trombonist Al Hall (Johnny Hammond, Freddie Hubbard, Eddie Harris). And, yes, Powerhouse comes by its title honestly…it’s jazz, all right, injected with a jolt of electricity courtesy of Thompson’s Hammond B-3. Newly remastered, and with liner notes featuring quotes from Tower of Power member Dave Garibaldi and Bay Area keyboardist Todd Cochran a.k.a. Bayeté who testify as to Thompson’s greatness, this is another long-lost triumph from the Black Jazz label. First-ever vinyl reissue!
LP Side One
1. Mr. T
2. Trip One
LP Side Two
1. Weird Harold
2. Powerhouse