EMILIO Castillo has lost count of the number of band members who have played a role in creating the horn-rich sound of Tower Of Power (TOP).

It's estimated that there have been around 60 musicians who have blown through this ensemble in the last four decades, in the process shifting the direction of the group's music.

The 10-piece group will be blowing up a storm at the Esplanade Concert Hall on March 10 as part of the Mosaic Music Festival.

In the lineup will be members who have left and returned, like guitarist Bruce Conte and drummer David Garibaldi.

But Detroit-born Castillo, who founded the band as a 17-year-old in the easy-going mid-1960s, adopts a relaxed attitude towards the group's revolving door policy.

"When they come back, they bring back a particular feel that is very unique and special," he says on the phone from his home in Arizona.

They also bring their new influences to bear, though, as band leader, he has the final say on TOP's sound.

He has the tough job of hearing everyone out and then deciding what's right for the band.

It is now working on a studio album of cover material, and there's also an album of originals in the works.

The creative process is a noisy one. "Everybody wants to make his idea heard, but we give and take. The bottom line is we want what's best for the group."

When the much-travelled man started his first band, The Gotham City Crime Fighters, in California, the tenor saxophonist was blowing soulful tunes. When he hooked up with baritone saxophonist Stephen "Doc" Kupka, the band became the Motowns.

Eventually, the name was changed to Tower Of Power, and the group built its success performing frequently in the San Francisco Bay area.

By 1970, the first of 18 albums, East Bay Grease, was released. The group's funky rhythm powered its way to the front of the R&B scene.

In the course of personnel shake-ups, TOP's music took stabs at different genres. As the band experimented with funk and disco, its fan base was left somewhat bewildered, but continued to stay with the groove.

The hardworking band tours constantly, and having a strong horn ensemble leaves a bright impression on the listener.

Such is the reputation of the horn section that it has appeared on recordings of John Lee Hooker, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Poison, Aerosmith and Josh Groban, among others.

The versatility of the band is something that helps it navigate the twists and turns the industry has been through.

"We've stayed together all these years because we love music. In an industry that is getting very corporate, people are also tired of hearing cookie-cutter music," he says.

"We like to push the envelope. With the calibre of musicians in this band, they would get bored otherwise. Our music, full of soul, continues to appeal to new generations of audiences from the United States to Europe and Japan."

This is the first outing for TOP to Singapore, and he is eager for the band to strut its stuff. All the favourite tracks are going to be played, and he promises it will be a high-energy performance.

"We're going to move the audience emotionally."

Tower Of Power will play at the Mosaic Music Festival at the Esplanade Concert Hall on March 10 at 7.30pm.