1970’s East Bay Grease and 1972’s Bump City reign as two of the most notable debuts in funk history. With six super long jams from the pens of founders Emilio Castillo (alto sax/vocals) and Stephen Kupka (baritone sax/vocals), EAST BAY GREASE was a perfect vehicle for the band. It did well on the underground radio format as well as r&b outlets across the country. While only a member for this one Lp, Rufus Miller does a stellar job on vocals. Long time members David Garibaldi debuts his awesome TOP drum sound on this masterwork, along with the incredible five horn attack of Castillo and Kupka, with co-horts Greg Adams, Skip Mesquite and David Padron. BUMP CITY was their debut release for the Warner Bros. label and it also included their first hit single You’re Still A Young Man. The band changed things up a bit for this fine album including a new lead singer with Rick Stevens as more success materialized for this hardworking band. Radio was more receptive as tunes like Down To The Nightclub and You Got To Funkifize made this the funk album of choice for many programmers in 1972.............
