On Monday, December 4th at 7:30 p.m., a crowd packed the red wooden chairs of the David Friend Recital Hall. Students, faculty and curious members of the general public anxiously chattered away in anticipation of Berklee's Tower of Power ensemble.

As the lights dimmed and the black-clad performers clamored onto the stage, wild shouts and applause exploded from the audience, which grew even louder when vocalist Aric Bieganek appeared on the stage wearing a 70s style tie and vest. However, the audiencequieted down as the band started in on its first tune, Soul with a Capital S.

This upbeat funky number proved the show already succesful with the background vocalists Anne Clements, Chrissi Poland, Jeff Svatek, Marianne Thompson, Arum Valkonen, ans Gwendolyn Jones' harmonious singing, and their hip dance moves. The horn section (with a capital H) also made quite a lively debut with Nathan Cohen, Ron Pelham, Leon Silva, Jonathan Boutin and Michael Rabadan. The totally tight rhythm section was super-glued with drummer Kiyoshi Nishiji.

The second tune, Diggin' on James Brown, highlighted the diva-like voices of Poland and Thompson. This song had the audience hand clapping and also featured an adrenaline-filled sax solo from Leon Silva. You're Still A Young Man, a ballad, thrust Bieganek back into the spotlight, this time crooning to a red-faced young lady in the audience. The horn section's intro was wildly applauded by the audience as well. Down to The Night Club featured Jones with lead vocals that perfected the definition of soulful singing (and dance moves to boot). What is Hip? showed off trumpet players Jonathan Boutin and Michael Rabadan's super-charged abilities to grasp those high notes. Dan Davey's excellent bluesy organ (synth) solo also contributed a great deal of energy to this number, underlined by the thick , phat bass sounds of Anthony Gray. Chrissi Poland's energy packed vocals definitely delivered on It All Comes Back. Jones returned to the lead for Motown like intro featuring Tom Knowlton on guitar and Noah Waldman on percussion. Bieganek Souled Out the advertised last number's hot funky rhythm and blues.

As director Wayne Naus pointed out, "It's gotta be illegal to have so much fun", the audience cheered and shouted for more. However, Bieganek threatened to cut off the encore if no one danced. About forty people rose up out of their seats and began boogying down in the front of the recital hall to the beat of Soul Vaccination.

The Tower of Power ensemble deserves major props for their energy-packed performance filled with not only great musical talent but also great talent at performing itself. After the performance, everyone who walked out of the recital hall had a giant smile on their face and a Tower of Power tune under their breath.