Tony Toni Tone, formed in 1987 in Oakland, California, enjoyed a number of chart hits and good album sales for a considerable part of the nineties. From a whirlwind start in 1988 they enjoyed an R & B number one hit with ‘”Little Walter”, a song that generated some criticism from gospel audiences for its use of the melody from ‘”Wade in the Water”. When they followed this up in 1990 with the smash album The Revival they became mega-stars due in part to the hit singles, the fresh ballad “It Never Rains (In Southern California)” and the club dance tune “Feels Good’” that were lifted from that album. When Sons of Soul followed in 1993 it contained the epic track “Anniversary” written by Raphael Wiggins and the bands keyboard player Carl Wheeler. It featured Gerald Albright on sax and weighed in at a massive nine minutes and twenty-four seconds. Shades of Isaac Hayes and no mistake! This original length version can also be found on the 2000 compilation “Heart of Soul” although truncated forms abound. Their next CD, House of Music, was released in 1996. The band eventually sold over six million albums. Tony Toni Tone has proved themselves durable guardians of the soul and funk tradition who, by appealing to urban contemporary audiences, have succeeded in keeping the faith alive.