Water & Power -

Water & Power were an American soul group that released a 1975 self-titled album on Fantasy Records.

Background

Water & Power formed in 1972 as a vehicle for the songwriting partnership of William Peele Jr. and vocalist Warren Sams Jr. The performing trio placed Sams with singer Rachel Sanders and singer Christine Adams Tripp, his half-sister. In 1973, the Jackson Sisters recorded the Sams–Peele song “(Why Can’t We Be) More Than Just Friends” for Prophesy/Mums. Meanwhile Sams worked as a vocal arranger and coach.

Before their album, Water & Power established their base in Los Angeles. Harvey Fuqua brought the trio into the Fantasy Records orbit through Great Bay Area Productions and Development Co., his Oakland development company.

Water & Power

Water & Power released their self-titled debut album in 1975 on Fantasy. The album presents eight vocal-group songs performed by Warren Sams, Christine Adams Tripp, and Rachel Sanders.

“Mr. Weatherman” eases across a soft lead vocal and returns to its weather-address title phrase. “I Can Find a Way to Your Heart” cuts through a taut dance beat and lands on a plain title chorus. “If You Don’t Want Me” narrows its slow lead-vocal address around the rejection line.

Backing players include bassist James Jamerson, drummer James Gadson, conguero Eddie “Bongo” Brown, pianist Sonny Burke, guitarists Melvin Ragin and Ray Parker Jr., and vibraphonists Alan Estes and Gary Coleman. Water & Power features ten hornists, including reedist William Green, trombonist George Bohanon, trumpeter Oscar Brashear, and French hornist Marilyn Robinson.

A1. “Somewhere” (3:15) – Sams–Peele–Sutton–Fuqua
A2. “Ain’t No Hurt (Like the Hurt You Get)” (3:30) – Sutton–Fuqua–Mills
A3. “We Are Through” (4:00) – Sams–Dixon–Peele
A4. “Mr. Weatherman” (4:45) – Sams–Peele

B1. “I Can Find a Way to Your Heart” (3:10) – Sams–Peele
B2. “If You Don’t Want Me” (4:00) – Sutton–Fuqua–Shy
B3. “Just for a Little While” (4:45) – Sams–Peele
B4. “You’re My Life” (3:45) – Sams–Peele

Harvey Fuqua and Earle Sutton produced Water & Power for Honey Records, Inc. Wade Marcus arranged and conducted the album in May and June 1975 at The Sound Factory in Hollywood with recording engineer Steve Maslow.

Water & Power appeared in a sleeve designed by Phil Carroll with photography by Paul Kiesow (cover) and Phil Bray (liner). The cover image shows a metal valve wheel mounted on a pipe.

Fantasy issued “Mr. Weatherman” as a 1975 single (b/w “If You Don’t Want Me”).

Discography: