Best known for being one of the original members of the Tower of Power horn section, Mic Gillette has continually proven himself as one of the greatest musicians of his generation. For the first time in his career, he ventures into the solo arena, with an album that includes 5 original songs, co-written with his wife Julia, and with a little help from some of his extraordinarily talented friends.
Born and raised in northern California's East Bay area, Mic, a child prodigy, first picked up a trumpet and was reading music at the age of 4. By the age of 15, he joined the Gotham City Crime Fighters with his childhood chums, which later evolved into the Tower of Power, and by the end of his freshman year of college, the band had cut their first album, East Bay Grease. Mic, taking a brief hiatus from TOP, toured and recorded with the band Cold Blood, and upon his return a year later, the Tower hit the road, opening for big name acts like Santana and Creedence Clearwater Revival.
As their reputation as the premier horn band in the U.S. grew, they toured with Elton John, Rod Stewart, and the Rolling Stones, among others. Over the years, Mic has appeared on hundreds of recordings, his discography reading like a "Who's Who" of rock 'n roll. Gillette is a current member of the Sons of Champlin, often referred to as "musicians' musicians," fronted by Chicago vocalist and keyboardist Bill Champlin; Lenny Williams Group; Strokeland Superband; Funky Loophole (Mic's own band); Tortilla Soup; and has recently toured and recorded with The Doobie Brothers and Santana.
Ear Candy, as the name suggests, brings an assortment of flavors and textures to this uniquely diverse collection of tunes. "Funky Good Time," penned by "the Godfather of Soul," James Brown, is woven throughout the album between songs, a tribute to Gillette's funk influences and background, featuring Mic on trombone. Fulfilling a long-time dream to reassemble the original Tower of Power horn section -- the one that set the gold standard for all other horn bands -- he brought Emilio Castillo, Stephen "Doc" Kupka, Greg Adams, and Skip Mesquite, along with TOP bassist Rocco Prestia, into the studio to record the Etta James classic "Tell Mama," which the band played before Kupka and Castillo wrote their first of many songs together. From the tender ballad "I Like That," featuring former TOP lead vocalist Lenny Williams, to the Latin-flavored instrumental "Abaco,"' to "It Had Better Be Tonight," a high-energy cover of the Pink Panther movie original, featuring a screaming horn section and an exceptional drum/percussion dual solo by David Garibaldi (Tower of Power) and Karl Perazzo (Santana), this CD will take you on a musical journey you won't soon forget!
Quotes:
"It was totally awesome to be playing with Mic and the rest of the 'original' Tower of Power horns again and the CD came out just great. Mic Gillette is still the greatest brass player on the planet. Bar none." -Emilio Castillo, Leader, Tower of Power
"Tower of Power's Number 1 Son is back, and out front where he belongs! This album isn't just ear candy ... it's the entire meal!"
-Jeff Eaton, trumpet player and recording artist
"Ear Candy is so fun to listen to. It has the flavor of TOP, but with Mic out front, playing his soaring trumpet and a great new emphasis on trombone. This CD is an absolute joy to listen to from start to finish." -Stan Martin, top L.A. trumpeteer
Guest Artists: Emilio Castillo*, Doc Kupka*, Greg Adams, Skip Mesquite (original Tower of Power horn section); David Garibaldi, Rocco Prestia,
Jeff Tamelier (Tower of Power*); Chester Thompson, Karl Perazzo (Santana); Bill Champlin (Chicago, Sons of Champlin); Marc Russo (Doobie Brothers); Geoff Palmer, Tal Morris (Sons of Champlin); Lenny Williams (Lenny Williams Group); Paul Jackson (Headhunters); George Brooks (Summit); Fred Ross (Strokeland Superband); Ms. Mone't (Boz Scaggs); Jerry Cortez.
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