Sons of Soul

Tony! Toni! Tone!

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 22, 1993)
• Original Release Date: June 22, 1993
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Motown
• ASIN: B000001DZ6
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #19,443 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Sons of Soul is the third album from Tony! Toni! Tone! and one of 1993's best efforts from any quarter. The Oakland trio (which contains no one named Toni) drew its inspiration for this project from such childhood heroes as Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, and Sly Stone, but they have transformed those materials with up-to-date hip-hop and Caribbean flavors. Much more important than the influences, old or new, is the high quality of Ray Wiggins' singing and songwriting, which marries rhythm, melody and meaning as effectively as his heroes once did. --Geoffrey Himes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An All Time Favorite (5 Stars), May 23, 2004

By	Norfeest "Yes Yes Y'all" (Washington DC USA) - See all my reviews

Anyone that knows me knows that I don't just hand an album 5 stars. In order for me to say an album is 5 stars, it has to be flawless. This album is flawless. I bought this album in 1993 when it first came out and I STILL have this CD in heavy rotation. This group is SOOOOOOOOOO underrated that it should be considered a crime. There isn't one bad song on this album. Raphael Saadiq and Dwayne Wiggins are the genius front men for a group that got almost no attention after this album when they should've been selling out tours(maybe because their next album, while it wasn't completely terrible, was nowhere close to this album). These guys blend reggae, hip hop, funk, and r&b together to make one the most sonically cohesive albums I've ever heard. Like I said, there isn't one bad song on this album. You can put it in your CD player and let it ride from start to finish without skipping a single song. R&B nowadays doesn't even come close to this album (really, R&B back then didn't come close to this album either). This is a 5 star CD people. I know Amazon / CD Now people like to throw around their 5 star ratings, but take it from someone who is very cautious with his 5 star ratings. This is a classic album. Do yourself a favor and go get it if you haven't already heard it by now.

Standout Tracks: What Goes Around Comes Around, I Couldn't Keep It To Myself, My Ex Girlfriend, Leavin' (My Favorite), Tell Me Mama, (Lay Your Head On My) Pillow, Anniversary, Fun,....hell, the whole CD is a standout. Pick one.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nothing like It, August 25, 2004

By	WildChild - See all my reviews

I'd heard the Tony's songs on the radio in the 90's but never knew enough to go and buy their music. I didn't buy one of their albums until 2001 and haven't stopped since. This album is definitely a classic; I listen to it at least once a day. My favorite tracks are Tell Me Mama, Gangsta Groove, Slow Wine, Fun, Anniversary, and even Castleers. This si their best album, but only a little better than House of Music. Raphael said on a recent Tom Joyner interview the group was getting back together and I hope their music finds a whole new audience.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Tonyies never cease to impress!, February 20, 2003

By	Karen M. Southern "kmsouthern" (Surprise, AZ USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Tony!Toni!Tone! is one of my all time favorite musical acts, almost entirely due to the astonishing "Sons of Soul" (far and away my favorite of their albums). Their voices blend so beautifully - each has a very unique and easily recognizable voice - combined with the superbly written/arranged tracks, this is one album you do not want to miss!

This is one of those albums for which you never need to utlize your "skip" button - a rarity indeed! Each and every track is appealing and though I have my favorites, I really do like them all!

Particularly notable tracks:

If I Had No Loot - Although this song (one of the singles played on the radio) was the reason I bought the album, it is one of my least favorites on this amazing album. This song (like all their others) has amazing and innovative musical accompaniment...not my favorite but definitely worthy of praise since it's the whole reason I bought the album in the first place.

Tell Me Mama - My favorite track. Beautiful instrumental accompaniment, amazing vocals by Raphael Wiggins and an overal great "feel"...a very laid back song with a definite "groove".

Leavin' - My second favorite track (really I do love almost all of them, so it's hard to pick favorites sometimes). Love the feel of this song, very funky (but laid back) song with great lyrics. Raphael Wiggins (AKA Raphael Saadiq) shines on this track with his amazing vocal talent.

Slow Wine - lead vocals by Dwayne Wiggins. Very sensual song...Dwayne's voice is such a contrast to younger brother Raphael's, which makes the Tonyies that much more enjoyable.

Gangsta Groove - I still don't know why I love this song so much, but I really do! It's such a fun song! Very musically "different" and creative.

Anniversary - A beautiful ballad sung by Raphael. The strings are perhaps the most beautiful part of this song, but the combination of vocals and music is simply beautiful.

For the fans of innovative R&B/soul, this album is a must have! Sons of Soul is truly a work of art!