Tone 7
Oakland, California, United States | INDIE
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Press
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
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)
- East Bay Express
Discography
TONALITY
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Bio
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.
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