Pronounced Toe-Nay

Editorial Reviews
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"My name is Prince and I am funky!" the purple one once sang. And with no less swagger, even some supernatural mojo, Tonex declares: "My name is pronounced Toe-nayyyyy...."

So opens this sprawling, controversial and much talked-about album, first released in 1997. San Diego's Tonex recorded it in his basement, sold it from his car trunk and apparently plumbed the depths of his soul to create this arresting modern gospel opus. He's earned famous fans, including Missy Elliott, and staked a claim for producing a work he calls "a classic of its time."

Does Pronounced hold up to its heavyweight rep (and self-styled hype) three years after its original indie release? To answer that question, one had better set aside a good swath of time. The CD holds 74 minutes of music, and Tonex uses every second on this record, divided into seven sections (including two remixes).

The opening three sections ("Hip-hop/Rap," "Retro/Funk," "The Future") show Tonex as an artist of piercing vision. "One Good Reason" sounds like Marvin Gaye's "Got to Give It Up" given the funkadelic treatment. Anchored by a delightfully plodding synth bass, this party features the unforgettable line, "Hey boy, pull your pants up, this is a church!" The following cut, "The Good Song," recalls Stevie Wonder with its rubbery clavichord and message of high social conscience: "From everybody in the White House/To everybody in the crack house/ We've got to come together."

The momentum continues until the fourth section, "Jazz," which could well be renamed "Smooth Jazz." "Why?" has a campy cabaret feel and a Manhattan Transfer-style vocal out of character with the refrain ("Why oh why, did I make my Savior cry?"). It's the low point in a less-than-enthralling passage marked by seven straight mid-tempo songs. Fortunately, Tonex regains his footing in the "Soul/Gospel" section. "Restoration" opens with a digital grand piano and picks up steam on the jubilant chorus; it sets up "Untitled," a spooky altar call that slips straight through the valley of the shadow of death.

Trimmed by perhaps a third, Pronounced "Toe-nay" would be the classic Tonex claims it is. Unabridged, with its lapses into tedium, it is still a very good record with moments of brilliance but one that will tempt you to use the "skip" button now and then. -- By Lou Carlozo (c) 2001 CCM Communications, Inc.

Tracks:

Radio
Pronounced Toe-nay
It's On Like That
One Good Reason
The Good Song
Personal Jesus
Trinity
U Send Me
The 1 U Need
Real 2 Me
Why?
Waiting
Taxi
As I Played
Real With U
Cry No More
Make Me Right
Restoration
Untitled
One Good Reason (92105 Myx)
P.T. 2001

Customer Reviews:

Pronounced ToeNay.......2007-07-09

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.

An album you can play without skipping a track........2006-03-04

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!!!!

Incomparable........2006-02-21

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.

Excellent Debut from THE INNOVATOR himself...............2004-11-24

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.

disappointed customer.......2004-08-05

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

Average customer rating:

my baby
A New Kinda Flava for Gospel Music in the Year 2G and Beyond
ANOINTED!!!
Tonex , just another Kirk Franklin wanna be?
Tone'X - New Era of Gospel Music

Pronounced Toe-Nay
Tonex
Manufacturer: Rescue Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000005BSA
Release Date: 1997-10-07

Customer Reviews:

my baby.......2001-12-02

Hey Tonex u wanted me to write this u know i love ur cd and the things that u do. u always sing to me on the phone and god has truly bless ur voice i hope that things want change for us and i hope god continue to bless u and bless us love u and continue to put god first and many more albums god bless

A New Kinda Flava for Gospel Music in the Year 2G and Beyond.......1999-08-12

This is some stuff right here!!!! "Pronounced Toe-Nay" is the cd that I have been asking God to let someone make all of my life! This album will, in the beginning, have you partying your butt off, and then, by the end of the album, have you repenting of the partying you just did. I love all of the sections on the cd but my favorite, as a gospel-jazz musician has to be.....ahhh...the jazz section. My fave song being "Waiting." Other standout cuts include "Taxi" (this sounds like 1973 "Innervisions"-era Stevie Wonder), "Trinity", "Restoration", and "Why" (Can we say "Stokley?" :-) When this get's reissued, do something with your life and buy it.

ANOINTED!!!.......1999-08-05

This album is a collection of fresh, exciting, exhilarating up tempo beats combined with soulful, reflective slow jams. Tonex's music makes me want to clap my hands, stomp my feet, and lift my hands in praise to the Lord. I love it! His music reminds me of Tony-Toni-Tone:funky beats with an anointed twist! Get it NOW!

Tonex , just another Kirk Franklin wanna be?.......1999-07-09

Tonex just another Kirk Franlin wanna be? deffinately not. No disrespect for Kirk Franklin i love what he has done in recent years to put urban contemporay gospel in the spotlight of secular music. Listening to Tonex though it sounds like this artist will take urban gospel to the next level where it needs to be for the millinium. Tonex really has a natural knack for producing head moving beats and songs that uplift glorify and encourage the listener. What impresses me about Tonex's production skillz though is it doesn't sound like he's trying to imitate urban music or hip hop, this style of music is a part of who he is as a musician and producer and it can be heard naturally on songs like "One Good Reason" and "Jambo". Big Ups! for Tonex and i'm looking forward to all the new material slated to be release on MSS/Tommyboy later this summer. Just think this artist Tonex could have been the next big secular artist but he decided and chose to uplift and encourage the saved and unsaved with the message of Jesus Christ so be in prayer for him.

Tone'X - New Era of Gospel Music.......1999-07-03

Tone'X has followed the likes of Kirk Franklin in this debut album. With slamming instrumentation and well thought-out lyrics, Tone'X is bringing to the world the message that "Christian Music Is Taking Back What Was Stolen". This music is for this current time and generation.

This album has been a club favorite at The Salt Shaker, the Triad's Premier Christian Nightclub. Mad shouts out to Tone'X and look forward to bringing your music ministry to the Carolinas.

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