Music and lyrics Sons of Soul

sons of soul expanded on traditional r&b influences of revival, upbeat funk , classic motown styles. songs such if had no loot , ex-girlfriend , , tell me mama incorporated lively tempos, strident harmonies, melodic hooks, , lead vocalist raphael wiggins high tenor singing. other songs performed funk grooves, including couldn t keep myself , gangsta groove , fun , , tonyies! in wrong key . rick mitchell of houston chronicle wrote songs arrangements cleverly ... integrate classic influences contemporary grooves. carl allen of buffalo news claimed album reconnected black popular music gospel/blues roots hip-hop flair. along older r&b, album s music appropriated contemporary urban styles such dancehall , hip hop, incorporating hip hop beats, turntable scratches, , samples, taken both contemporary rap , older soul. tony green of st. petersburg times viewed tony! toni! toné! incorporated musical aspects r&b , hip hop contemporaries, thereby representing black pop s generation x. mid- late-twentysomethings caught [at] tail end of heyday of acts earth, wind & fire , stevie wonder [and] found getting smacked in face rap revolution. group reproduced sampled live instrumentation, keyboard magazine interpreted analog approach principally digital hip hop genre.

the lyrics on sons of soul described los angeles times critic connie johnson quirky, while elysa gardner vibe said flirtatious , tender, particularly on ballads such slow wine , (lay head on my) pillow ; felt group s songwriting throughout album possessed reverent ethos. raphael wiggins credited majority of songwriting. laura zucker of sacramento bee said of album written solidly in r&b tradition of sweet talking , romancing. unlike contemporary r&b , hip hop music @ time, album s lyrics lacked profane language, exception of ex-girlfriend , featured chorus couldn t believe / tried tell me ex-girlfriend ho!

if had no loot has new jack swing beat, pronounced guitar licks, vocal samples hip hop songs, , lyrics fair-weather friends. ex-girlfriend humorous commentary on unfaithful partners, , features lowbrow humor in lyrics, scold ex-girlfriend promiscuity. evolved concept d wayne wiggins came after driving past oakland hangout prostitutes , recognized 1 of them old friend. upbeat ballad tell me mama has surging dynamics, horn-filled bridge, , lyrics responsibility , regret. phil gallo of los angeles times writes song utilizes jackson 5 , temptations vocal stylings, earth, wind & fire horn charts , riffs sly & family stone hits . according rolling stone journalist fred schruers, album s first 5 songs comprise tour de force bounces motown new jack swing , before breaking series of ballads sexy sweet .

slow wine describes trinidadian slow grind dance, , love ballad (lay head on my) pillow features tender, seductive lyrics, subtle come-ons, according gil griffin of washington post replace hip-hop braggadocio soul music s promise. couldn t keep myself features lush strings , electric piano, according 1 writer create jaunty atmosphere harkens kool , gang , blackbyrds. narrator wants brag friends new girlfriend s sexual abilities. gangsta groove adapts hip hop s gangsta trope in humane story, compared 1 writer blaxploitation theme. draws on funk music of parliament-funkadelic, cameo, , ohio players. tonyies! in wrong key features dreamy, dissonant soundscape, slurred vocals, swirling horns, , james brown sample. @ end, raphael wiggins sings line last night dj saved life , reference 1982 song of same name. wiggins found disinterested vocal style similar sly stone s family affair (1971).

dance hall styled in genre of same name, , incorporates funk. segue track times squares 2:30 a.m. recorded group on street tape recorder. fun has hip hop groove, jazz fusion tone, , irreverent, party theme similar dance hall . anniversary mature, lasting love. elysa gardner of vibe calls grandly romantic, nine-minute bolero lavishes female subject such warmth , respect cheeky misogyny of [ ex-girlfriend ] seems instantly forgiveable. castleers short vocal track , tribute raphael , d wayne s castlemont high school chorus group, castleers choir, in sang students. raphael said of inspiration, high school choir classic r & b harmony, named song after choir. 1 of great things experience @ school got ready go out in professional world our music.