 Veteran Tower of Power baritone saxophonist, Stephen 'Doc' Kupka, has assembled an outstanding group of performers, dubbed The Strokeland Superband and he created an independent record label to go with it.
The purpose is simple: Doc is a prolific songwriter and Strokeland gives him additional opportunities to work with musicians, vocalists and arrangers that he enjoys working with.
The big winners are fans of the sound of classic soul music music and big horn sections. This site showcases releases from Strokeland Records, as well as the music of an extended family of performers that also cherish the feeling that only soul music can provide.
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.
 Photo by Frank AnzaloneSTROKELAND FEATURES MUSIC FROM:
- Strokeland Superband
- DoctorfunK
- Mic Gillette
- Bruce Conte
- Roger Smith
- Lon Bronson All-Star Band
- Smith & Lane
- Patrick Allen
- Hip Service
- Fred Ross
- Alias Smith & Lane
- David K. Mathews
- SAGE
- Jeff Tamelier
- Larry Braggs
- Ron E. Beck
- Zen Blues Quartet
- Smith & Lane
- Jack Mack and the Heart Attack
- PLUS GREAT NEW ARTISTS AND RELEASES!!
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