 "Pronounced ToeNay" | 2007-07-09 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1MOM464DCC0VG |
| This album is one of the best Ive ever owned. To me, its Grammy worthy. I first saw Tonex on a Gospel Awards show, his performance was like a Prince/Micheal Jackson thing. GOspel music was still tripping of Kirk Franklin so I knew they werent ready for Tonex! But I instantly fell in love with him as an artist was anxiously awaited the released of this album. Its been about 10 years since I bought it and I still listen to it all the time I love it!!! Tonex's vocals are ridiculous!!RIDICULOUS!! No man that i've heard sing can touch his octaves and rips and runs. Plus he can dance and he's a preacher?! This album is genius, and you can definitely hear his legendary influences in the album. Its separated by genre which is unique. My favorite sections are his Futuristic with songs like "Trinity", Funk "Personal Jesus" all the songs in his Jazz section and the whole mellow grooves section. I have purchased every Tonex album following this. ITS definitely worth every penny you spend. |
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| "An album you can play without skipping a track." | 2006-03-04 |
| - Reviewed By User: A3079KX4V3PKCD |
| This is an unbelieveable album. It is a pleasureable album to listen to. There is a song in there for everyone to listen to. Good Job!!!! |
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| "Incomparable." | 2006-02-21 |
| - Reviewed By omnyx |
| One of the most heralded as well as controversial albums of the year 2000, Tonex's first major label release entitled "Pronounced Toe-Nay" is more like a modern-day melodrama of Tonex's life story. Originally sold on the now-defunct local label Rescue Records in 1997, the Jive/Verity Records re-release actually omits two songs that was on its previous version. Still, the popularity of this album solidified Tonex's reputation as the new "bad boy" of Gospel music. The album is a classic and tackles issues in a way that most gospel albums of that era failed to do so. I received a copy of this album on my 18th birthday and for an entire year, this album pierced me so deeply and even helped me discover my purpose in life with the strength of its lyrical content. Songs like, "Taxi," "Why," "As I Played," "Real With U," and "Waiting" all ministered to me at a time when I needed relief from the stresses of being a young Christian. Moreover, the spirit-filled power of "Cry No More" (also featured on the movie, "Prison Song" starring Q-Tip & Mary J. Blige) and "Restoration," which samples an interpolation of Andrae Crouch's "Soon & Very Soon," will inspire any believer to return to their place in God. Not only are the messages convincing, but the album also proves to be absolutely entertaining. His style, as I have stated before, is timeless and ultimately incomparable. "U Send Me" is unlike anything I have ever heard before. The sound of it is like a jambalaya of Hip-Hop & R&B fused with synthesized portions that give the song its Dance & Techno flavor. "The Good Song" sounds like a Stevie Wonder song with its clavichord-based musical structure and its stirring lesson of unity. "Personal Jesus" showcases his exceptional ability to vocalize and offer exhortation through song. Overall, this is a glorious work of art that possesses an in-your-face, hard-core take on what it means to be radical for Christ. |
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| "Excellent Debut from THE INNOVATOR himself........" | 2004-11-23 |
| - Reviewed By preechee |
It is almost impossible to believe that someone could record a WHOLE album in their BASEMENT and have it come out this banging. After a listen to the track "The Good Song", you'll understand what I'm talking about. But as always, Tonex never ceases to amaze with his versatility, his vision, his multiple talents, his music, his voice, his dress, everything. The first two tracks I heard from this LP were "Personal Jesus" and "Make Me Right". I had only heard them in passing and I didn't catch on to the Tonex vibe yet. After hearing those two songs I figured he was just a gospel artist trying to copy the neo-soul sound. Yes people, I was a lost soul at one time. But I was converted!
I heard O2 (Tonex's follow-up LP to this one) first and was literally blown away by that album, so I decided to listen to this one and while it's not as good as O2, it's still a phenomenal debut. The aforementioned track "The Good Song", is one of the best tracks on the album, and one of the best songs I have ever heard period! For all neo-soultologists like myself, the songs "Taxi", "Waiting", "As I Played" and "Why" are really soothing to the ear, and I believe it could rival the sounds of say, D'Angelo maybe? Or maybe it's just me. But the soul/jazz section is really good, especially "Taxi", which is speaking about falling into sin via fornication.
The hip hop flavored tracks aren't bad themselves, however Tonex is one of those few people who rap and sing equally well. That's an impressive feat to pull off. The beat on "U Send Me", is really funky. I love it. And "P.T. 2001", that one is intense. I think he should take all these gospel hip hop artists who are struggling and help em out because it seems like he knows good hip hop when he hears it. Other notable tracks are "Restoration", "Cry No More", and "One Good Reason", in which Big J says "Pull yo pants up, this is a church!!!" I love that.
Oh yeah, and there is a song called "Jambo" that got left off of the re-release of this album because it couldn't get sample clearance in time. You can find the song on the net. I got it off Kazaa. It's a hot song, trust me. |
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 "disappointed customer" | 2004-08-05 |
| - Reviewed By User: A25VK8ILTHS3JL |
Praise the Lord, Tonex!!!!
I really love the CD but, their is one thing
that really upset me. On the track Make Me Right, why is that song very very short!! I really love that song!! Please, Please, Make It Longer!!!I would very much appreciate it. Thank you. God Bless.
Sis.Vanessa, Michigan |
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| "Not bigmomma and dem kind of gospel" | 2004-04-15 |
| - Reviewed By vonfore |
| I seriously slept on this young man for the longest. While I passed up his cd's to pick up the more commerical artists that we constantly hear on the radio and see in the videos, something just brought me back to the Tonex style of gospel. Once I saw him on BET's sunday morning gospel program with brother Gerard, I had to go cop the album...and was I suprised. This album is jamming...it is downright funky!!!!! Thats why I said its not bigmomma and dem kind of gospel. It has far more appeal to the younger generation and just goes to show you that you can mix hip hop type grooves all along while praising the Savior. My favorites on this cd are : Its on like that, in which Tonex sounds like a young version of Prince, Personal Jesus, One good reason, the sexy sounding Taxi, which could have been a crossover secular hit, as I played and restoration which brings it back home. Additionally, the remix of one good reason and his bonus track pt 2001, where Tonex throws down some "hard" rap lyrics are classic. If you dont have this CD, I highly recommend that you go pick it up right away and listen to it a couple of times all the way through first and then form an opinion on it. Pronunced Tonex is in my cd player right along with his other cd, O2, Carlton Thompsons Azuza's greatest hits and WOW Gospel 98, 99, and 2004! I cant wait for Tonex's new cd, Out the box, to come out in May which features the song "make me over" that he sang on the BET gospel special back in early march. |
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| "GOT TO PICK IT UP!" | 2004-04-05 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2FG4AH5SYKL0Q |
| Where can I start? Well, this CD is off the hook. Tonex is in a league of his own. He's like Prince of gospel--he beats to his own drum and has great songs. I advise everybody to buy it. It will touch your soul, mind, and heart. My top favorites are Restoration and Real With U. Next, It's On Like That and One Good Reason. Last, ALL THE REST! This whole CD is TIGHT! Buy it and all of his albums. Check out 02, too. That's off the hook as well, but Pronounced is a little better. |
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| "Excellent CD!" | 2003-04-24 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2LHHGQYHAZNYB |
| I had never heard of Tonex, but happened to see him performing on TV one night. It was an awesome performance! I immediately ordered the CD, and have been listening to it ever since. I highly recommend this CD. You definitely won't be disappointed. |
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| "MADE A BROTHA LIKE ME WANNA GO BACK TO CHURCH!" | 2002-10-26 |
| - Reviewed By chazzeyam |
| This cat is talent. Plain and simple. I first caught him on the Apollo. I had the sound turned down and was talking on the phone when he came out onto the stage. He reminded me of Raphael Saadiq in his appearance and I was like "Who is this fake Raphael Saadiq fool?" Then I turned the volume up and my phone friend and I were amazed at the song PERSONAL JESUS. Kid rocked it! I was hooked. I then went on a search to find out who this cat was. After I got the name pronounced right, it was on! Now, I'm not a gospel-listener, but this cat ain't ya traditional "gospelist." He is an amalgamation of Prince, Kirk Franklin, mixed with neo-soul. Nice. He breaks his CD down into the different genres of music. His Hip-Hop section is very adequate for a cat that is also talented as a singer, that's rare. But where he shines at is Retro/Funk section withTHE GOOD SONG and aforementioned PERSONAL JESUS. His Jazz section is truly the bomb as well with REAL 2 ME and WAITING. The Mellow Grooves section will play at ANY soul get-together and no one will knwo the difference. TAXI is powerful as it speaks to his temptations with a woman. But the powerhouse section is the Soul/Gospel: CRY NO MORE had me feelin' the ghost and RESTORATION had me looking into the local churches. I REALLY needed Jesus after that! Incredible. He takes risks. I like that. Best part is, he preaches to you in such a cool, undemanding manner that you can't help but listen to him. He pushes the envelop with some of his word usage, but that's cool. He wouldn't be real if he didn't have a few demons to exorcise. Get this CD. Trust me. And you can play it at a cool get-together and folk will be asking you his name...and then you can simply reply...It's pronounced Toe-nay... |
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| "love Tonex' style" | 2001-10-22 |
| - Reviewed By User: A36R1RATU0N3VD |
Ilove the style Tonex'uses to minister the word of God to
the world. As long as it is biblically worded and i can
follow it with the The living word of God than I can listen
to it.Their are a few songs that minister to me but;the one
that ministers the most is "RESTORATION". That song just ministers to my very spirit Iam also thinking about doing a
dance to that particular song. |
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