A grizzled soul role model, Tower of Power sound fresh not because they've made an effort to join the '90s, but because younger bands such as Jamiroquai have turned the retro clock back 20 years. The horn-lined soul grooves on Souled Out make for an exciting listen, even if the lyrical content rarely rises above the usual baggage of sex/love clich]és and soggy social commentary. Fastidious funk is the real matter at hand. B+

