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DESCRIPTION:Benefit Concert\nTone 7, songs from their debut album Tonality\nSunday 
 January 17, 2010. $15 - 7:30pm\nLa Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck 
 Ave.\nBerkeley. 510-849-2568. http://lapena.org/event/1335\n\nJoin Tone 7 
 and friends as they perform songs from their debut album "Tonality" for a 
 one night only concert to raise awareness about hypertension, high blood 
 pressure, and diabetes. To learn more about Tone 7 and their pop, jazz, 
 blues, and rock/funk fusion infuenced music click  here: 
 http://reviews.theurbanmusicscene.com/2009/12/11/tone-7--tonality.aspx?ref=rss\n\nTone 
 7's new Recording Tonality\n\nWhat 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.\n\nWhen 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.  
 \n\nIt 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.     \n\nThe 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.  \n\nThe 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.”\n\n“Fantasize” recalls some of the sweet mid-tempo jams from 
 the Motown era, especially from smooth balladeers like Smokey 
 Robinson.\n\nWith 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.”\n\nFinally, “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.”\n\nThe 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.  \n\nPeggy Oliver\nThe Urban Music Scene\n\n 
 https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2010/01/07/18634631.php
SUMMARY:Tone 7 in a benefit concert to raise awareness about hypertension and high blood pressure
LOCATION:La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave.\nBerkeley. 510-849-2568. 
 http://lapena.org/event/1335
URL:https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2010/01/07/18634631.php
DTSTART:20100118T033000Z
DTEND:20100118T053000Z
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