Word: tone
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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Unlike many popular R&B artists today, the members of Tony Toni Tone (group leader Raphael Saadiq, his brother D'Wayne Wiggins and their cousin Timothy Christian Riley) are dedicated musicians who actually play real instruments, instead of relying on played-out samples and drum machine-generated rhythm loops. Saadiq sings and plays the bass, the guitar and keyboards, Wiggins adds guitar work and vocals. Riley mainly plays drums and keyboards and is featured on the clarinet. Backing them up are live musicians playing instruments ranging from horns to flutes to pianos and organs. One song on the new album...
Because of their solid musical skills, Tony Toni Tone puts on a smokin'live show when they hit the road with their 12 piece touring band. Many current groups tour accompained only by the canned sounds of a DAT machine, and some of these singers cannot even duplicate their vocal stylings outside of a recording studio. For example, I once witnessed the pitiful spectacle of the trio Soul for Real failing miserably in their attempt to duplicate the lush harmonies of their hit single "Every Little Thing I Do" live in concert. The sounds of many current R&B groups...
Tony Toni Tone also stand above their peers because their music continues to be refreshingly and arrestingly distinct. Their vocal arrangements, which run the gamut from honey-drenched harmonies to smooth whispers, are instantly recognizable, representing yet another facet of the classic tradition. Too many new artists are merely trying to be the next Mary J. Blige or Boyz II Men, and these one-hit wonders continue to fall by the wayside, unable to carve out a unique niche. Much of today's R&B comes out the same over-produced mold, but Tony Toni Tone consistently relies...
Tony Toni Tone's memorable and timeless melodies are also reminiscent of the legendary soul acts. Songs such as "It Never Rains (In Southern California)," "Anniversary" and "(Lay Your Head On My) Pillow" are some of the few truly classic slow jams of the 1990s. Not only are their melodies enduring--the band's lyrics are also finely crafted. They are often seductive but never raunchy, sweet through not saccharine, and are always on the right side of the fine line separating light-hearted from vacuous. Furthermore, the band is known primarily for the quality of its music...
Many Tony Toni Tone fans fretted over the rumors that the band had broken up and eagerly anticipated a new album. Their last album, Sons of Soul, which posted platinum sales and recieved critical acclaim, was released back in 1993. The band members had been devoting much of their time to producing and writing for other artists, including A Tribe Called Quest, The Roots, Total and Tevin Campbell. Raphael Saadiq says that fans' expectations helped motivate the group to go back into the studio, and fans will not be disappointed with the band's latest effort...