All Hits At The House Of Blues

Personnel: Raphael Saadiq (vocals, guitar); DJ Quik (DJ); D'Angelo (vocals); Rob Bacon, Little Charlie Bereal (guitar); Kelvin Wooter (tuba, keyboards); Dean "DC" Charles (keyboards); Preston Crump, Elijah Baker (bass); Kahari Parker (drums); David Garcia (percussion); Lejon Walker, Keisha Jackson, Wild Peach (background vocals); Tony Toni Tone, Devin The Dude, Joi, Ledisi, Goapele, Leslie Wilson.
Recorded live at the House Of Blues, Los Angeles, California and at Blakeslee Recording Co., North Hollywood, California.
When Tony Toni Tone became a pop and R&B hit-making monster in the early-1990s, it was easy to forget the band possessed immense talent and thorough schooling in the jazz and the gospel of its forefathers. In 2002, longtime Tony Toni Tone frontman Raphael Saadiq's long-awaited and skillful debut, INSTANT VILLAGE, turned many a head with its chilling Sly-esque soul, perhaps giving mild surprise to casual listeners of his former band. A year later, Saadiq follows up his successful coming-out by revealing just how genuine is his talent is in a live setting on this two-disc set.
ALL HITS AT THE HOUSE OF BLUES accomplishes what the best live albums aspire to, that excellent party vibe, with just the right balance of uncertainty and the musical proficiency to pull it all back together. Saadiq acts the role of expert emcee, opening with deft but unruly performances of songs from his debut, before breaking into a neo-soul road show. From this point on, he unveils numerous surprise guests, starting with Devin the Dude performing his "Just a Man," followed by the exuberant Joi, before bringing out the rest of his old band for seven songs, including classic hits like "Anniversary" and "It Never Rains."