Tonéx and The Peculiar People - Out The Box

Out The Box
Verity Records

Thinking "out of the box" is a term commonly used in the business world by employers to help their employees come up with original ideas outside of the norm. Tonéx is back with his third release on Verity Records, fittingly titled Out The Box. The ideas that come out of this powerful man of God are simply mind-blowing. If you think you've heard the best from Tonéx before, think again.

This two-disc compilation of 36 tracks was recorded live in Tonéx’s hometown of San Diego. Disc One (also called San Diego City) opens up with Yolanda Adams giving an enthusiastic introduction welcoming the minister to the stage. An eclectic radio mix of Tonéx hits from previous albums is then heard, followed by an overture and a hyped-up crowd awaiting his arrival. He gets right into his first song for the night, The Trust Theory. His choir, The Peculiar People, is introduced on the next song called Alive.

Tonéx switches gears and really lets his originality shine through in this next section. He explores a big band style on Work On Me. This track is alive with lots of horns and a big band swing, but it doesn’t even prepare you for what’s coming up next.

Games is a track taken from the theme song of the popular TV game show Family Feud. How someone can come up with lyrics to the theme song from Family Feud is mind-boggling, but Tonéx has managed to do it. This song warns of Christ’s second coming… pay attention and get your house in order. If you are a fan of Ms. Tonéx, be sure to check out The Children’s Bread, where her ad-libs explode at the end.

Songs Tonéx fans may recognize from previous releases also make an appearance on this CD. Real With U, Taxi (with a wonderful flute overture from the 70’s TV show, Taxi), Personal Jesus, Why? and God Has Not 4Got (featuring Kirk Franklin working the piano) are all done live on this project. The smooth praise and worship ballad, To Know You Lord, is on this project as well (also found on Gospel Today Presents: Praise & Worship 2).

Disc Two (also called San Diego County) starts of with Nureau Ink (also the name of his production company). Todos Juntos is a Latin-flavored jam with Spanish lyrics, featuring the dynamic Sheila E. on percussion. Sheila, daughter of Latin jazz great Pete Escovedo, has been playing Latin percussion since she was a child and she adds such flavor to this song.

Worship mode starts with Your Word and encourages the audience to just let go and worship for the next few tracks. Worship comes to a climax with Make Me Over, the first radio release from this project.

Tonéx decides to bring the praise party to a close with Since Jesus Came, featuring Kirk Franklin. This praise jam will have you wanting more!

Out The Box is definitely that… out of the box thinking that sets this artist apart from many others in the gospel music industry. Many people have never heard Tonéx in a live setting and he promises not to disappoint. Be sure to check this project out on DVD, which will be released later on this year.