Direct (Tower of Power album)

Direct is a 1981 live in-studio album by Tower of Power. It was their only album for the direct-to-disc record label Sheffield Lab. It also marked the return of original guitarist Willie James Fulton, not heard from since 1972's Bump City, and the last album to feature saxophonist Lenny Pickett. Mark Sanders plays drums on this album. Between this album and their 1987 comeback album Power they would record the sessions that later became the Dinosaur Tracks CD. Besides that, save for the original single release of "Simple As That" (from the same Dinosaur Tracks sessions), this would be their last new release until 1987. It contained mostly songs from their previous albums but included new stuff as well.

Direct would later be released with alternate takes on CD as Direct PLUS in 1997.

Track listing

Side One

1. "Fanfare/And You Know It" (Greg Adams/Emilio Castillo, Stephen Kupka) originally recorded for Back on the Streets
2. "You're Gonna Need Me" (Albert King) New track
3. "Squib Cakes" (Chester Thompson) originally recorded for Back to Oakland

Side Two

1. "That's Why I Sing" (Chester Thompson) New track, later re-recorded during the Dinosaur Tracks sessions in 1983
2. "What is Hip?" (Emilio Castillo, Stephen Kupka) originally recorded for Tower of Power
3. "Never Let Go of Love" (Greg Levias, Hilary Thompson, Michael Jeffries) New track, later re-recorded during the Dinosaur Tracks sessions in 1983

Personnel

• Michael Jeffries - Lead Vocals
• Lenny Pickett - Saxophones (Solo On "Squib Cakes", "Never Let Go Of Love")
• Emilio Castillo - Tenor Saxophone
• Stephen "Doc" Kupka - Baritone Saxophone
• Greg Adams - Trumpet (Solo On "What Is Hip?"), Flugelhorn (Solo On "Squib Cakes")
• Mic Gillette - Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Trombone
• Rick Waychesko - Trumpet
• Willie Fulton - Guitar, Lead Vocal On "You're Gonna Need Me"
• Mark Sanders - Drums
• Vito San Filippo - Bass
• Chester Thompson - Keyboards
• Victor Feldman - Percussion
• Guest Singers - Jim Gilstrap, Edie Lehmann, Oren Waters