TONE 7

Smooth, radio-ready soul with a jazzy inflection predominates on this impressive collaboration of seasoned performers. With a guitarist who's opened for Bob Marley, and a former child star on vocals, Tone 7 is stocked with old pros, and it shows. Lyrics reflect plenty of life experience, instrumentation is spot on — this band sounds like it's been around forever. (Blackdot Records)

http://www.eastbayexpress.com/ebx/local-licks/Content?oid=1553973 - East Bay Express

DX News Bits: Kanye West, Tone 7
10.13.09 | by Edwin Ortiz

With Kanye West’s latest cancelled concert [click to read], as well as his recent no-show at the BET Hip Hop Awards [click to read], fans speculated on whether the Chicago producer/rapper was emotionally torn following the backlash from the MTV Video Music Awards incident [click to read].

Speaking to MTV, Queens emcee and label mate Consequence [click to read] explained that people shouldn’t be worried about Mr. West’s state of mind. “He’s in a good place [right now],” he stated. Assuring that the label that ‘Ye built has no animosity toward MTV, Cons added, “At the end of the day, MTV has been a great outlet for G.O.O.D. Music as a company. Regardless of whatever [else] goes on, there's a great respect there, a great admiration for what the outlet is.”

In other news, a group of seasoned musicians whose collective careers have performed with famed artists like Bob Marley, B. B. King, and Jeffrey Osborne have combined to release their first album together.

Tone 7, which consists of lead vocalist Tony “The Tone” Jackson, drummer Thomas Mason, keyboardist Will Hammond, bassist Stephen Smith, and guitarists Bobby Cobb and Neil Stallings will be releasing Tonality on November 3.

While the Bay-area collective stylistically emphasizes neo-soul, blues, and R&B, Jackson states his childhood parallels that of Boyz In The Hood as he grew up in South Central Los Angeles. With that experience in mind, the groups lead singer gives their music a raw edge not typical in a neo-soul atmosphere.
- HIP HOP DX

The Urban Music Scene - The Urban Music Scene

Oct 11, 2009
Tony Jackson And Tone 7 To Release Debut Album On November 3
Neo-soul group Tone 7 has conjured their debut album Tonality, infusing a line-up of seasoned musicians, resulting in an ultimate mix of musical styles from what music critics are calling "musicians' musicians."

Lead guitarist Bobby Cobb was chosen as the opening act, not once, but twice, for Bob Marley and The Wailers. After having been approached by the late reggae legend and his wife, and spending time conversing with Marley, Cobb says that he ultimately became speechless. "I remember it distinctly," he recalls. "I was on the far side of stage right, and Marley came up to me, and started talking to me. When it got to the point when he said, 'I really like your band, I really like your playing,' I was so blown away, I forgot my guitar stand, and I just left it there on stage." Listening to Cobb's guitar work on Tonality, it is easy to see why Marley was impressed.

The 7's lead vocalist, Tony "The Tone" Jackson, is no stranger to the spotlight. A longtime performer, at age nine, he appeared in guest roles on television shows, including The Brady Bunch and The Mod Squad. Even before hip hop became a mainstream commodity, used to promote corporate products, Jackson and hip hop icon Afrika Bambaata joined forces to appear in a Nescafe commercial together, possibly the first television commercial to feature such artists. Profoundly influenced by Michael Jackson, Tone went on to pursue his musical destination that became Tonality.

Armed with yet a second lead and rhythm guitarist, Neil Stallings, it again becomes clear this band is comprised of studio quality musicians. Stallings' rich blues history includes having shared the stage with artists like B. B. King, Freddy King, Albert Collins, Big Mama Thornton and other legends. Stallings has served as the opening act for countless artists, including B.B. King, Freddy King, Johnny Winter, and The Chambers Brothers. He has also played on stage with the likes of Sly Stone. Yet all of these artists are only a partial list.

Most recently, drummer Thomas "Thunderfoot" Mason has played for headlining artists in the Las Vegas area, at venues including the Flamingo and John Ascuaga's Nugget, and a bevy of other notable venues throughout the western half of the United States.

Keyboardist Will Hammond started his career when he was very young, as a staffer at Fantasy Records (John Fogerty, Credence Clearwater Revival). His uncle is jazz legend Eddie Hammond, who played at the Champagne Supper Club in the Fillmore District during its heyday, where artists including Billie Holliday, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, John Coltraine, and others dropped in for jam sessions. Hammond's uncle is pictured in Harlem Of The West, a book about the musically historic club. Will, himself, has opened up for artists including Jeffrey Osborne.

Together, with much-sought after bassist, Stephen Smith, the band has created Tonality, neo-soul, interlaced with a rich variety of styles, ranging from hiphop, soul, rock, jazz to R&B.

Formed in the Bay Area, the band's lyrics reflect depth, insight and hope. It would be impossible for the album not to. Between gigs, Tone works as a professor of psychology, using his PHD in the treatment of anger management and depression. His insight gained through his experience of treating both inpatient and outpatient drug abusers, coupled with his involvement in social activism, makes him a true Renaissance man, and this resonates through his music throughout the album.

Cobb says of Tone's vocals, "He never wastes a note. I have never seen him sing a note just to put it out there."

Black rock and roll is alive and well, as evidenced by the album's track "Revolutionary Eyes," which combines heavy metal with soul. When it comes to a song about seeing the world with eyes that question authority, what better mix of genres? The late Marvin Gaye's social commentary through soul music opened up the country's eyes by opening up the people's ears. Heavy metal shouts just as loudly. Together, they unite to incite.

Such musical expressionism translates messages throughout the album. The opening track, "Chicago Streets," could have been written about any city. Despite his present success musically and otherwise, Tone grew up in gang-ridden O.G. Crip territory, in the area of 89th and Vermont in South Central Los Angeles, home of the Bounty Hunters. Tony was surrounded by the first generation of Crips, before there were even Bloods. Even Stanley "Tookey" Williams was a part of Tone's neighborhood. Williams was executed by the State of California in 2005, a fate that was protested by a large number of people including Snoop Dogg. A biographical TV-movie entitled Redemption: The Stan Tookie Williams Story was made in 2004, featuring Jamie Foxx as Williams. The night of his execution, Tone and folk musician Joan Baez spoke there in protest.

Despite his surroundings, Tone made a decision to not get caught up in the mayhem surrounding him. John Singleton's Academy Award winning film "Boys In The Hood was our story," explains Tone. "I was supposed to be with my buddy Mike, but I had to play a basketball game that night. My brother Zeke was going to go with me. I went to school right in the heart of Hoover Crips, Mt. Carmel High School, which is now defunct, at 70th and Hoover. At the game, I was on the bench. I heard sirens and ambulances, and little did I know, that ambulance was responding to a gunshot victim who had died, and the victim was Mike, one of my best friends. It was a difficult time for us; we wanted revenge, and everything else." Ironically, Tone's brother, Ezekiel X Jackson, was chosen by Singleton to do security on the set of the film. His brother Zeke now manages Tone 7.

With album highlights including "Maybe I," "Tell Me," and the thoughtful track "Ballot Or The Gun," Tone 7 hits the perfect note. A heartfelt album, with the music to back it up, Tonality will have Tone 7's fans listening to its songs, over and over.

http://www.blackdotmusic.com

For more information, or to request a review copy of the album, please contact:

Media Contact: Phyllis Pollack
Def Press Public Relations
18907 Vincennes St.
Northridge, CA 91324
818-349-2282
DefPressCalifornia@gmail.com
- Hip Hop Press: Releases

BLACK DOT
TONE 7/Tonality:  These cats have been around long enough not to go fronting they are young bloods, bringing an R&B sensibility to nu soul fusing various modes of musicality into a stew top heavy in the kind of professionalism sorely lacking in a lot of today’s stuff.  Geared toward hip hoppers that have survived and prospered, this is a new sub-genre that has the gusto to really take hold with smart sets like this leading the way.
- Midwestrecord.com

Sunday, Jan 17 7:00p
at La Peña Cultural Center, Berkeley, CA

Tone 7/Tonality: "These cats have been around long enough not to go fronting they are young bloods, bringing an R&B sensibility to nu soul fusing various modes of musicality into a stew top heavy in the kind of professionalism sorely lacking in a lot of today‚‚s stuff. Geared toward hip hoppers that have survived and prospered, this is a new sub-genre that has the gusto to really take hold with smart sets like this leading the way". read more
Price: $15
Phone: (510) 847-4380
Age Suitability: None Specified
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Tone 7/Tonality: "These cats have been around long enough not to go fronting they are young bloods, bringing an R&B sensibility to nu soul fusing various modes of musicality into a stew top heavy in the kind of professionalism sorely lacking in a lot of today‚‚s stuff. Geared toward hip hoppers that have survived and prospered, this is a new sub-genre that has the gusto to really take hold with smart sets like this leading the way". (Midwestrecords.com)
"Tone 7 is a taste of old school R&B complete with harmonized vocals on top of catchy hooks with brass accents. Tony Jackson is the lead vocalist crooning on "Same Place, Same Time" with a heavy dose of guitars behind him from Bobby Cobb and Neil Stallings. Our favorite was the opener "Chicago Streets". Jackson wrote all eight tracks and three remixes. Tonality is a true taste of yesteryear in 2009". (O's Notes)
Join Tone 7 and friends as they perform songs from their debut album Live to help raise awareness of the epidemic of hypertension and diabetes. Learn from community health workers about disease prevention and positive health interventions. Invited organizations include Leadership Excellence, Ausar-Auset Society and Bay Area Black United Fund.
Invited Special Musical Guests include internationally acclaimed artist/activist, Martin Luther and bay area recording artist/songwriter Paisley! See them as they perform live!
- SF Gate: San Francisco Chronicle

Tone 7-Tonality Album Review



What do you get when you merge the talents of a singer/songwriter who is heavily influenced by Michael Jackson, a guitarist who has opened for Bob Marley and a blues guitar virtuoso? The end result is Tone 7, a band who bridges several musical decades while mixing elements of pop, jazz, blues and rock. Tony ‘The Tone’ Jackson, the lead vocalist of the five-piece group is no stranger to the entertainment industry. His acting credentials include an appearance on the late sixties/early seventies detective show, The Mod Squad. His claim to musical fame started with the obscure single from 1990 “My Mama Named Me Batman,” a song he wrote and co-produced for D-Rock & The Bayou Crew. These days The Tone, a man who wears several hats and is a long-time M.J. devotee, balances lead vocal duties between Tone 7 and Stereo Type, a multicultural quartet. Well-versed lead guitarist Neil Stallings has played with blues legends Big Mama Thornton, Albert Collins and B.B. King. Co-lead guitarist Bobby Cobb was actually approached by reggae giant Bob Marley to open for him on two occasions. These San Francisco-Bay area based band also includes keyboardist Will Hammond Jr., drummer Tommy Mason and bass guitarist Stephen Smith.



When not on stage, The Tone is a Professor of Psychology helping those with conflicting issues, and is involved in social activism. He knows all too well about troublesome circumstances growing up in a gang-infested neighborhood in South Central Los Angeles witnessing the constant battles between the Bloods and the Crips. But even though his childhood environment could have overtaken him as an adult, he chose to be a voice for the people when called for. Sometimes The Tone’s songwriting reflects the attitudes and events he has experienced in his life, including dealing with a dear friend’s murder.



It is no surprise that The Tone’s influences of the ‘King of Pop’ resonate in his lead vocals. The more you hear Tony Jackson’s voice throughout Tone 7’s debut disc - Tonality, there are shades of Michael Jackson’s expressive tenor. I also found many tracks on Tonality fairly refreshing because of the retro sound shaped by many urban artists back in the day, and M.J.’s pop/R&B imprint.



The danceable groove of “Chicago Streets” jump starts Tonality. Between the jazzy vocal harmonies on the chorus and a funky bass line that echoes “Good Time” by Chic, Bay area saxophonist Angelo Luster adds a bit of gospel jazz frosting with his solo.



The Tone struts his rap stuff with a soul/funk underpinning (think Kool & The Gang & Earth, Wind & Fire) on “Maybe I” if only for a brief moment: “You can take the diamond rings and material things I chalk it up as experience…you and me we should have seen the signs.”



“Fantasize” recalls some of the sweet mid-tempo jams from the Motown era, especially from smooth balladeers like Smokey Robinson.



With a perfect marriage of Michael Jackson soulful pop a la “Rock With You”and social commentary, “Ballet on the Gun” provides a list of what if’s about every day life’s scenarios: “What do you do when the vote don’t count…what do you do when the questions out, children asking what it is all about.”



Finally, “Revolutionary Eyes” meshes more topical subject matter with a heavy duty rock slant; a possibly perfect vehicle for Lenny Kravitz: “Some say it’s love some say it’s hate depending on their view.”



The only problem I found with Tonality is that The Tone, as talented as he is, might be trying to emulate M.J. on several tracks instead of developing his own vocal niche. This observation is not to be mistaken for the fact that Michael Jackson was undoubtedly a remarkable artist in his own right. But overall, Tone 7’s musicality and confident musicianship are the absolute reasons to check out Tonality.



Peggy Oliver

The Urban Music Scene - The Urban Music Scene