“Doc Goes Hollywood” can be pre-ordered at www.strokeland.com.
About “Doc Goes Hollywood”:
Best known as a founding member of the legendary Oakland, California horn band “Tower of Power” and a prodigious songwriter, Stephen “Doc” Kupka has once again pulled together the best of the best for this, his latest Strokeland Records release. This release, however, is a major departure from Doc’s trademark East Bay Soul or “snap funk” style. A personal dream of Doc’s for over twenty years, Doc Goes Hollywood is a collection of lush ballads in a modern “Great American Songbook” style.
In the style of the great classic American songbook, these are finely-crafted songs where melody is king and every lyrical turn of phrase has been lovingly crafted to be the best it can be. Written, performed, and engineered to stand the test of time, these songs exude true musical and emotional depth.
Doc Kupka called on his friend and “A-list” Hollywood composer, arranger, and music director, William Ross, to provide full orchestral arrangements. Mr. Ross (whose credits also include Barbra Streisand, Michael Bublé, and top Hollywood films such as “Ladder 49”, “Forrest Gump”, and “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets”) delivered arrangements that are simply stunning. Fresh from serving as Music Director for the 2007 Academy Awards, Mr. Ross conducted the William Ross Orchestra through these beautiful arrangements at the Robert Irving Studio in California. Full string, woodwind, and brass sections provide a depth and emotional presence that today’s synthesizers and samples simply cannot match.
Canadian resident blues artist John Lee Sanders turns in a masterful performance on lead vocals in this setting. In addition to his tasteful and soulful lead vocals, John Lee also arranged and performed all of the background vocals himself. These are some of the best vocal arrangements you’re likely to hear anywhere.
Tower of Power drummer, David Garibaldi; bassist Leland Sklar (James Taylor, Phil Collins); pianist Chris Caswell (John Williams); and jazz guitarist Ray Obiedo comprised the all-star rhythm section, with additional guitar parts by former Inner City Records artist Ray Wilkes, and keys by Robert Irving. Tower of Power alums Mic Gillette and Lee Thornburg, along with David Woodford, Nick Lane, Paul Colicchio, and the Funky Doctor himself, Stephen Kupka, provided the world-class horns.
Mixed by fifteen-time Grammy-winning engineer and producer Al Schmitt (Ray Charles, Diana Krall, Steely Dan) at Capitol Studios in Hollywood, Doc Goes Hollywood has a lush, warm sound that perfectly fits the finely-crafted melodies, lyrics, and arrangements. Ron McMaster of Capitol Mastering added the final sheen with the result being a truly world-class production.
If you want to hear beautiful, enduring songs, performed and recorded by world-class masters of their craft, give this release a listen. Produced by Doc Kupka and William Ross, and Executive Producer Chuck Hansen, Doc Goes Hollywood is simply great, timeless music that will touch your heart.
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***Fishbelly Black-Black Coffie
***Joe Simon-Let’s Do It Over
***Ridin’ Thumb-Know What I Mean
***Stuey Blue-Gray Morning
***Toto-Rosanna
***Whitney’s Carinval of Funk-The Fuzz
***Zen Blues Quartet-Grits Ain’t Groceries
***Back To Basic-Good, Good Time
***Carmen Grillo-Love X Love
***Clayton/Scott Group-Color Of Love
***Gangbuster-Midnight Hour
***Glenn Walters-Pain In My Heart
***Full Moon-The Heavy Scuffle’s On
***King Curtis- Live at Fillmore-Memphis Soul Stew
***Lon Bronson-This Story Must Be Told
***Mandrill-Mango Meat
***Prime Time Funk-Get Up
***Rhinoceros-I Need Love
***Paul Langille-Talk Is Cheap
***Shilts-Short Island Iced Tea
***Steve Bassett-Sweet Virginia Breeze
***Soul Stew-Love And Happiness
***Steve Ferrone’s Farm Fur-Pick Up The Pieces
***The Chops Band-Groove Me
***The Mike Reilly Band-Back To The Basics
***The artists of the New York Trumpet Company-Crawl, Slap, and Boogie
***Tad Robinson-Your Love Is Amazing
***Doc Kupka-What Difference Does It Make
***David Sanborn-everyday i have the blues
***Cracked Ice-New Shade Of Blue
***Chad Rager Groove-Whipping Post
***Doctor Funk-Livin In Bump City
***L.A. Boppers-Where Do The Bop Go?
***Sage-Stright Up Fine
***Seawind-What cha doin’
***Roger Smith-Horn-Afication
***Roy Buchanan-Potato Peeler
***Santa Fe-Brother To Brother
***Super Funky Express-One More Dance
***The Bo-Keys-Doin’ it to Death
***Tony Adamo-Midnight Cafe
***Tower Of Power-Pocketful Of Soul
***Walter Wolfman Washington & the Roadmasters-Close The Door
***Tom Saviano-JP’s Groove
***Van Morrison-I Just Want To Make Love To You
***Wayne Cochran-Goin’ Back To Miami
***Was (Not Was)-I Can’t Turn You Loose
***Wayne`Buttery and the Groove-Let The Good Times Roll
***Wilmer & the Dukes-Get It
***Willie Hutch-Lucky To Be Loved
***Barela-The Partys Here
***Bobby Wayne-Soul Station
***Scott Martin-Unchain My Heart
***Shades of Soul-Enjoy Yourself
