"Drop It In The Slot" by Tower of Power

In 1975, Bay Area groove masters Tower of Power thrilled funk lovers with the high-powered funk jam “Drop It In The Slot.” The band left no crumbs on this sizzling groove, snatching up every morsel of funk. The track features a marvelous horn arrangement that showcases the talents of TOP's formidable horn section. Rocco Prestia lays down a fantastic bass line, and David Garibaldi’s wicked drumming keeps the funk blazing hot. And lead singer Hubert Tubbs packs his dynamic vocal performance with tons of energy and soul. The track also boasts sweet guitar riffs, percolating keyboards and a killer bridge.

“Drop It In The Slot” was written by Tower of Power members Emilio Castillo and Stephen “Doc” Kupka. It’s a track from the band's sixth studio album In The Slot, released on September 12, 1975. The album marked the debut of their new lead singer Hubert Williams, who replaced Lenny Williams. And David Garibaldi returned to the fold after his absence on TOP’s previous album Urban Renewal (except for one track). In The Slot was the band’s last album release on Warner Bros. Records before moving to Columbia Records. The collection performed solidly on the charts, climbing to #29 on Billboard’s R&B/Soul album chart and #67 on the Billboard 200.

“Drop It In The Slot” has been sampled on six songs, including the Beastie Boys’ “Egg Man” and DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince’s “Caught in the Middle (Love and Life).”

The full band lineup for the In The Slot album was Francis Rocco Prestia (bass), David Garibaldi (drums), Bruce Conte (guitar, backing vocals), Hubert Tubbs (lead vocals), Stephen “Doc” Kupka (baritone saxophone), Greg Adams (trumpet, flugelhorn), Chester Thompson (organ, piano, clavinet, synthesizer [Arp] and backing vocals), Mic Gillette (trumpet, trombone, flugelhorn, piccolo trumpet, bass trombone and backing vocals), Emilio Castillo (tenor saxophone, backing vocals) and Lenny Pickett (tenor saxophone, alto saxophone, piccolo flute, flute, clarinet, contrabass clarinet and Lyricon). Castillo and Tower of Power produced the album. 

“Drop It In The Slot” is one of Tower of Power’s most well-known tracks and a classic example of the band’s supertight funk sound. 

Drop It In The Slot available at Amazon

Related blog entry: "Oakland Stroke" by Tower of Power

"Lucky Number" by Lene Lovich

New wave artist Lene Lovich released her breakthrough hit "Lucky Number" on January 26, 1979. The track made Lovich a major figure in the burgeoning post-punk movement of the late ‘70s and part of the UK's pop-culture landscape.

Lovich co-wrote“Lucky Number” with her longtime music collaborator and life partner guitarist/songwriter Les Chappell, who also produced the song. In 1978, an early version of the song was released as the B-side of Lovich’s cover of  Tommy James & the Shondells’ 1967 pop smash, “I Think We’re Alone Now.” The single, released on London-based independent label Stiff Records, failed to chart. “Lucky Number” was re-released by Stiff in 1979 as an A-side. Music lovers enthusiastically embraced the song, and it landed in the top 10 in several countries, including the UK (#3), Australia (#2), Belgium (#5), New Zealand (#3) and the Netherlands (#4). It was also included on Lovich’s debut album Stateless (1978).

“Lucky Number” has a zany, slightly unhinged charm and loads of manic energy. It’s an exciting mix of new wave and punk rock. Lovich brings her signature quirky vocal style to the track, replete with hiccups, trills, and squeaks. The frenetic groove features a driving beat, cool guitar licks, and an energetic bass line. 

The song begins with Lovich espousing the joys of single life and how it gives her the freedom to do as she pleases and not have to answer to anyone. But her attitude abruptly changes when she falls hard for a guy.  

“Lucky Number” was covered by German singer-songwriter Nina Hagen, known as “The German Godmother of Punk." It has been sampled on two songs, “Having So Much Fun” (Tiga) and “Preplex” (Plunderphonics). The song has been featured on the soundtracks of several television series and feature films, including the highly acclaimed TV series Black Mirror (season 6, episode 5, titled “Demon 79,” originally aired on June 15, 2023). 

The song's personnel are Lene Lovich (lead vocals), Les Chapell (guitar, background vocals), Ron François (bass, background vocals), Bobby Irwin (drums), and Nick Plytas (keyboards).

“Lucky Number” is an influential classic that helped define the sound of early new wave music and is Lovich’s most well-known song. Also, Lovich’s unique vocal style has influenced many female artists in new wave, pop, rock, punk, and alternative music.

Fun montage of dance clips taken from movies and TV shows set to "Lucky Number"

Lene Lovich performing "Lucky Number" on Top of  the Pops in 1979

"Lucky Number" available at Amazon

Related blog entry:

"New Toy" by Lene Lovich