World Premiere: All-Star crew gives glorious quarantine take on Isleys classic

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    (June 30, 2020) We’ve all been locked down for months, and the time has brought out the creative instincts of some of our favorite musicians. But few things we’ve heard have give us the pleasure of the 9 minute masterpiece by an all-star cast that has transformed an AWB and Isley Brothers classic into something truly special for 2020.

    Brent Carter, former Tower of Power and current AWB singer, decided to create a “fun project” like the very well received home version of TOP’s “What Is Hip” that he made with some friends back in April. So, with recruiting help from his bandmate, AWB saxman Fred “Freddy V” Vigdor, he put together something much, much bigger: a hot take on the 70s hit “Work To Do” that features a jaw-dropping collection of musicians and singers that will make you grin from ear to ear.

    …

    (June 30, 2020) We’ve all been locked down for months, and the time has brought out the creative instincts of some of our favorite musicians. But few things we’ve heard have give us the pleasure of the 9 minute masterpiece by an all-star cast that has transformed an AWB and Isley Brothers classic into something truly special for 2020.

    Brent Carter, former Tower of Power and current AWB singer, decided to create a “fun project” like the very well received home version of TOP’s “What Is Hip” that he made with some friends back in April. So, with recruiting help from his bandmate, AWB saxman Fred “Freddy V” Vigdor, he put together something much, much bigger: a hot take on the 70s hit “Work To Do” that features a jaw-dropping collection of musicians and singers that will make you grin from ear to ear.

    Brent explains: We ended up with a dozen great singers, including the great Will Downing, and a 19 piece band, including eight drummers. Everyone was so into the idea, that they suggested getting other people involved and the thing just grew and grew. Being in lockdown, everyone dialed in their parts...some people used state of the art home studios, others just used their smartphones, but everyone got into the spirit of the thing. We mixed it all together and, given the circumstances, we made something we're all pretty proud of.” 

    And proud he should be. There’s not much we’ve seen this year in music that puts together this level of cooperation, musical excellence, and sheer fun from a group of talents doing something simply for the love of it. And all proceeds from the sale of the song will go to the Save The Children COVID-19 appeal.

    We’re proud to present the World Premiere of the magic music video for “Work To Do.” Check it out below and help us sing praises to this special project

    Brent Carter and Friends – “Work To Do”

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    Click Here to purchase
    (all proceeds go to Save The Children global COVID-19 Appeal)

     

    VOCALISTS
    Brent Carter - Tower of Power, currently AWB lead vocalist
    Will Downing - Multi-million selling, major label recording artist
    Jo Harman - Award winning British vocalist-songwriter
    Eliot Lewis - Hall and Oates, “Live From Daryl’s House”, AWB
    Audrey Wheeler - Top NYC session singer (Freddie Jackson, Madonna), formerly featured singer with Unlimited Touch
    Cheryl 'Pepsii' Riley - Noted Gospel/R&B singer and Arista and Columbia recording artist
    Porter Carroll - Singer/songwriter/founder/drummer with multi million selling band 'Atlantic Starr' (Hall and Oates)
    Travis Milner - Vocalist/multi-instrumentalist/producer/composer Gerald Levert, Roy Ayers, Gerald Alston, Busta Rhymes
    Ms. Monet - Recording artist, backing vocalist Will Downing, Boz Scaggs, Michael McDonald
    Michael Angelo - New York legendary Funk vocalist
    Chris Walker - Vocalist with Billboard Top 30 hit ,'Take Time', Musical Director to Al Jarreau, Regina Belle
    Klyde Jones - Hall and Oates, AWB

    GUITARISTS
    David Spinozza (John Lennon, Paul McCartney, James Taylor)
    Jeff Tamelier (Tower of Power, Starship)

    KEYBOARDS
    Roger Smith (Tower of Power, Dave Matthews Band) - Hammond Organ
    Rob Aries (John Scofield, Mary J Blige) - Electric Piano
    Travis Milner (Roy Ayers, Gerald Levert) - Keyboards

    BASS
    Chris Walker (Bob James, Kirk Whalum)

    HORNS
    Fred 'Freddy V' Vigdor (AWB, Michael McDonald) - Tenor Sax
    Cliff Lyons (AWB, Manhattan Transfer) - Alto Sax
    Barry Danelian (Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, Billy Joel) - Trumpet
    Ozzie Melendez (Mariah Carey, Diana Ross, Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony) - Trombone
    John Scarpulla (ToP, Diana Ross, Paul McCartney) - Tenor and Baritone sax

    DRUMS
    David Garibaldi (Tower of Power)
    Steve Ferrone (AWB, Eric Clapton, Tom Petty)
    Larnell Lewis (Snarky Puppy)
    Brian Dunne (Hall and Oates, AWB)
    Rocky Bryant (AWB, Dave Sanborn, Cindy Lauper)
    Herman Matthews (Isley Brothers, Kenny Loggins)
    Graham Hawthorne (Paul Simon, David Byrne, Madeleine Peyroux)
    Poogie Bell (David Bowie, Chaka Khan, Randy Crawford)

    Produced by Brent Carter and Fred 'Freddy V' Vigdor
    Mixed and mastered by James Welch at Masterlink Productions
    Video production - Leo Mansell
    Pro tools editing - Graham Hawthorne
    Graphic illustration - Stefan Redtenbacher
    Artist Services - Mark Ede (BiGiAM)

    With kind thanks to Stefan Redtenbacher from RSB Records for production assistance