Sonic Tonic (Bonus CD) [Limited Edition]

Ron Blake | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 24, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Limited Edition
• Label: Mack Avenue
• ASIN: B00096S2GO
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #306,306 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Invocation

2. Chasing The Sun

3. Your Warm Embrace

4. Dance Of Passion

5. The Windmills Of Your Mind

6. Shades Of Brown

7. Sonic Tonic

8. Tom Blake (Revisited)

9. Pure Imagination

10. Pissarro's Floor

See all 11 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Dance Of Passion (Casamena Remix) - Carlos Mena

2. Tom Blake (DJ Spinna Free Radikalz Remix) - DJ Spinna

3. Sonic Tonic (Sonic Dub Tonic) - Transdub Massiv

4. Tom Blake (Yoruba Soul Samba Mix) - Osunlade

5. Dance Of Passion (Brother & Sister Forever Mix) - Jahi Sundance

Editorial Reviews

No description available.
Genre: Jazz Music
Rating:
Release Date: 0000-00-00
Media Type: Compact Disk

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fresh Inspiration, August 24, 2005

By 

Aamir Lee Bermiss "akie of itsthefoundations.com" (brooklyn, ny) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sonic Tonic (Bonus CD) (Audio CD)

jazz can be very difficult to listen to these days. especially new jazz. that is, original compositions by contemporary players. so much of the newness is buried in "modern-jazz" cliches and nebulosity. it can often be terribly boring. not to mention fusions between jazz and hiphop. terrible products have come out of that union.

Ron Blake's album is one of the few exceptions to that trend. An album where the band is comprised of people who are equally comfortable in the groove and straight-ahead. the fusion sound then becomes something full of subtlety and interplay. Sonic Tonic is refreshing to hear in a scene so overrun with funk-jazz, jazz-hop trash. the musical has its own profile and sound. its own texture and drive. the drumming of Chris Dave plays no small part in that. While a few of the songs rub me the wrong way because the lean to heavily to one side of the paradigm a bit heavily or they just seem a bit over-produced, the majority of the music is practically incredible. of all the tracks, the two versions of Invocation are the most incredible pieces to come from this effort. they are potently moving.

if you're hesitant about buy the album, go for it. it is a proper gamble.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Really great jazz CD, July 25, 2005

By 

Dorrie Wheeler - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sonic Tonic (Bonus CD) (Audio CD)

Jazz fans everywhere are raving about the album Sonic Tonic by Ron Blake. The album was produced by soul/alternative artist Meshell Ndegoeocello. If you like good jazz music you will enjoy this set. The actual CD includes 11 tracks. There is also a bonus disc included which includes remixes by Carlos Mena, DJ Spinna, Jahi Sundance, Osulade & Transdub Massive. The CD is quite funky, trendy and modern. People who enjoy classic jazz will still dig this CD, but the younger crowd may also enjoy it. One song I particularly enjoyed was "Tom Blake" (DJ Spinna Free Radikalz Remix. With the bonus CD you really get your money's worth!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Blake's "Sonic Tonic" is innovative and exciting!, July 25, 2005

By 

JazzyKlew - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sonic Tonic (Bonus CD) (Audio CD)

Ron Blake's "Sonic Tonic" is the most innovative and exceptional jazz release out right now. His unique fusion of r&b, funk and jazz with international sounds, really sets this album apart from traditional jazz albums. Part of the reason for this could be, is that it was produced by Me'Shell Ndegeocello, a very well-respected artist who has worked with everyone from Prince to the Rolling Stones, and grabbed nine Grammy nominations. You can definitely see Ndegeocello's influence throughout the album, matching Blake's killer saxophone with strong beats and exotic supporting instrumentation. Tracks like the mysterious "Dance of Passion" and the energy-charged "Chasing the Sun" are two of my favorites because of their pure excitement. For the more laidback listener there is the too cool "Shades of Brown," and Willy Wonka inspired "Pure Imagination," on which Blake plays with the theme from the classic film. The bonus disc of remixes is also amazing if you want to see jazz presented in a new and exciting form. No matter what your tastes, "Sonic Tonic" is a fun and stimulating album from start to finish, as well as a great example of the way the boundaries of traditional jazz can successfully be challenged.