Tony! Toni! Toné! Albums (4)
What The Critics Say
When Tony! Toni! Toné! finally delivered House of Music, their follow-up to their 1993 breakthrough Sons of Soul, their influence was beginning to be apparent, as younger soul singer/songwriters like Tony Rich and Maxwell began reaching the R&B charts. Like Tony! Toni! Toné!, Rich and Maxwell relied on traditional soul and R&B values of songwriting and live performances, discarding the synth-heavy productions of the late '80s and early '90s. But, as House of Music makes clear, the difference between the Tonies and their successors is that they know how to seamlessly incorporate hip-hop and new jack swingbeat into their essentially traditional sound. Embellishing soul and funk with slamming '90s beats, Tony! Toni! Toné! sounds modern, and they can successfully accomplish their fusion of the traditional and contemporary. More importantly, they can do this within the framework of memorable, catchy songs, whether its the party funk of "Let's Get Down" or the balladry of "Let Me Know." In short, House of Music continues the Tonies' tradition of excellence and demonstrates that the group is getting stronger and better all the time. ~ Leo Stanley, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
With their third album, Tony! Toni! Tone! received their greatest chart success, without compromising their music; it was still the finely crafted, highly eclectic and funky pop-soul that distinguished their first two albums, while the band's songwriting and playing had improved. The result was the band's most successful album yet, both commercially and successfully. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
One of the more distinctive R&B groups of the late '80s and early '90s, Tony! Toni! Toné! managed to appeal to urban contemporary audiences while expressing a love of 1970s soul and funk. As high-tech as things get on its sophomore effort, The Revival, the Oakland trio never fails to sound organic and soulful. Funk smokers like "The Blues," "Oakland Stroke," "Let's Have a Good Time," and "Feels Good" (a major hit) may use technology extensively, but the soulsters always sound like they're in control of the technology (as opposed to it controlling them). Drawing on influences ranging from Digital Underground to Sly & the Family Stone, Parliament/Funkadelic, and Prince, Tony! clearly like their funk down and dirty. And yet, the group sounds equally inspired on such laid-back and mellow slow jams as "I Care" and the hit "It Never Rains in Southern California." Many of the urban contemporary releases of 1990 were gutless and homogenized, but The Revival is an album that had artistic integrity as well as commercial appeal. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
D'Wayne and Raphael Wiggins, along with cousin Timothy Christian, made a quick and lasting impact with their 1988 Tony! Toni! Tone! debut album Who? The lead single "Little Walter" used the melody from "Wade in the Water" and laid out in vivid detail the rise and fall of a comrade who lacked control and direction. It proved a huge R&B hit and got moderate pop attention, and it helped establish the trio and their creative mix of vintage soul and contemporary hip-hop and new jack production. "Baby Doll" and "For the Love of You" also got sizable pop attention, and Tony! Toni! Toné! were on their way. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide
