Sonic Tonic

Sonic Tonic

Track Listings

1. You Are Invited

2. Psycho Choir

3. Make Your Move

4. Prepare Yourself

5. Relax to the Max

6. Forget Sense, Just Dance

7. And She Waits

8. Not Defeat the Beat

9. Surrender to the Sound

10. As If

11. Trance in Your Pants

12. Oh Yes

13. Squealorama WMFE

14. Mad Player

Editorial Reviews
About the Artist
The G-Man is a much sought-after music maker, remixer and producer, sucessfully moving dance floors to high energy and mind-opening grooves in diverse club scenes all over the globe. Previous releases include "Electro Bop" and "Grin Groove."

Product Description
Sonic Tonic contains six trance songs and eight electronic-pop songs. "Moby meets Devo" is how one TV producer describes the sound, which uses guitar synths, hard-club beats, hip hop bass, and vocal lines that are sensuous or satirical. A favorite on underground radio and the club scene, there have been over 60 remixes of songs by The G-Man from producers in every part of the world.

Tracks:

Invocation
Chasing The Sun
Your Warm Embrace
Dance Of Passion
The Windmills Of Your Mind
Shades Of Brown
Sonic Tonic
Tom Blake (Revisited)
Pure Imagination
Pissarro's Floor
Invocation (Dance Of Fire)

Tracks:

Dance Of Passion (Casamena Remix) - Carlos Mena
Tom Blake (DJ Spinna Free Radikalz Remix) - DJ Spinna
Sonic Tonic (Sonic Dub Tonic) - Transdub Massiv
Tom Blake (Yoruba Soul Samba Mix) - Osunlade
Dance Of Passion (Brother & Sister Forever Mix) - Jahi Sundance

Customer Reviews:

How Dare You, Sir.......2007-04-21

Just a minute now! Seems that what is needed here on these pages is a quick antidote to the previous review. For not only is Ron Blake's sophomore effort on Detroit's Mack Avenue Records *not* the worst jazz album that anyone's ever heard, it is in fact a true gem. And Blake's playing on these mostly original tunes is so tasty and satisfying that it's not even in the same *cosmosphere* with that Noodly One Who Shall Remain Nameless. Somebody didn't eat their wheaties this morning.

In fact, Ron Blake plays good tenor all over the place, not just here on "Sonic Tonic". Not to be confused with RAN Blake, Boston's other elder statesman of avant-garde piano (cf. Cecil Taylor), and not related to Vancouverite Seamus Blake, another good tenor who is also up and coming, Ron Blake has made many fine contributions to albums all across the jazz spectrum, from early associations with masters like Johnny Griffin, Art Farmer, and Benny Golson, to more recent outings with maturing lions like Roy Hargrove, Nicholas Payton, and especially of late as a member of Christian McBride's multi-faceted neo-fusion unit.

The current offering features some excellent cross-pollination of styles from modern trad to bossa-funk and reggae. There are many nice production touches from Motown-favorite MeShell NdegeOcello, as well as some creative re-mixes on the limited edition bonus disc. The only tune that seems dispensible on the whole album might be the song "Pure Imagination", which to me is dispensible in most settings anyway, but overall this stuff is nothing to sneeze at (unless you're on bad medicine that makes you sneeze).

The reviewer below states elsewhere that he's a jazz musician in NYC, but if that's really true, then I would have to suspect Ron's gettin' the gigs he's not. Do your best to ignore sour grapes while giving "Sonic Tonic" a spin, and expect many more fine releases in the future from Ron Blake.

The worst album I've ever heard.......2006-09-24

This was by far, the worst album I've ever heard in my entire life. This even worse than Kenny G's Songbird. And that is saying a lot. Imagine you're favorite food. Cooked to perfection by your favorite cook. And then before its served to you, the cook spits in it. That bad.

True the rhythm section vibes good together, but when Blake comes in he totally kills the vibe. So out of a 5, I give this album a 1. And thats because your can't go any lower than that.

Fresh Inspiration.......2005-08-24

jazz can be very difficult to listen to these days. especially new jazz. that is, original compositions by contemporary players. so much of the newness is buried in "modern-jazz" cliches and nebulosity. it can often be terribly boring. not to mention fusions between jazz and hiphop. terrible products have come out of that union.

Ron Blake's album is one of the few exceptions to that trend. An album where the band is comprised of people who are equally comfortable in the groove and straight-ahead. the fusion sound then becomes something full of subtlety and interplay. Sonic Tonic is refreshing to hear in a scene so overrun with funk-jazz, jazz-hop trash. the musical has its own profile and sound. its own texture and drive. the drumming of Chris Dave plays no small part in that. While a few of the songs rub me the wrong way because the lean to heavily to one side of the paradigm a bit heavily or they just seem a bit over-produced, the majority of the music is practically incredible. of all the tracks, the two versions of Invocation are the most incredible pieces to come from this effort. they are potently moving.

if you're hesitant about buy the album, go for it. it is a proper gamble.

Really great jazz CD.......2005-07-26

Jazz fans everywhere are raving about the album Sonic Tonic by Ron Blake. The album was produced by soul/alternative artist Meshell Ndegoeocello. If you like good jazz music you will enjoy this set. The actual CD includes 11 tracks. There is also a bonus disc included which includes remixes by Carlos Mena, DJ Spinna, Jahi Sundance, Osulade & Transdub Massive. The CD is quite funky, trendy and modern. People who enjoy classic jazz will still dig this CD, but the younger crowd may also enjoy it. One song I particularly enjoyed was "Tom Blake" (DJ Spinna Free Radikalz Remix. With the bonus CD you really get your money's worth!

Blake's "Sonic Tonic" is innovative and exciting!.......2005-07-26

Ron Blake's "Sonic Tonic" is the most innovative and exceptional jazz release out right now. His unique fusion of r&b, funk and jazz with international sounds, really sets this album apart from traditional jazz albums. Part of the reason for this could be, is that it was produced by Me'Shell Ndegeocello, a very well-respected artist who has worked with everyone from Prince to the Rolling Stones, and grabbed nine Grammy nominations. You can definitely see Ndegeocello's influence throughout the album, matching Blake's killer saxophone with strong beats and exotic supporting instrumentation. Tracks like the mysterious "Dance of Passion" and the energy-charged "Chasing the Sun" are two of my favorites because of their pure excitement. For the more laidback listener there is the too cool "Shades of Brown," and Willy Wonka inspired "Pure Imagination," on which Blake plays with the theme from the classic film. The bonus disc of remixes is also amazing if you want to see jazz presented in a new and exciting form. No matter what your tastes, "Sonic Tonic" is a fun and stimulating album from start to finish, as well as a great example of the way the boundaries of traditional jazz can successfully be challenged.

Average customer rating:

Sonic Tonic
The G-Man
Manufacturer: Delvian Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

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Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0007KIGBI
Release Date: 2005-02-01

Tracks:

You Are Invited
Psycho Choir
Make Your Move
Prepare Yourself
Relax to the Max
Forget Sense, Just Dance
And She Waits
Not Defeat the Beat
Surrender to the Sound
As If
Trance in Your Pants
Oh Yes
Squealorama WMFE
Mad Player

Product Description

1. You Are Invited
2. Psycho Choir
3. Make Your Move
4. Prepare Yourself
5. Relax To The Max
6. Forget Sense, Just Dance
7. And She Waits
8. Not Defeat The Beat
9. Surrender To The Sound
10. As If
11. Trance In Your Pants
12. Oh Yes
13. Squealorama WMFE
14. Mad Player

Format: CD

Music Review:

Music Review

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