Tonex O2

You may not know it, but O2 by Anthony "Tonex" Williams was a very anticipated album. His first project (Pronounced toe-nay) was recorded in his home and distributed from the trunk of his car. It ended up becoming a smash contemporary gospel hit and even crossed over into the mainstream market.

Tonex comes from a musical and spiritual family. His father played saxophone for James Brown and Jackie Wilson, and his mother sang for various female groups. Both became ministers who lead the Truth Apostolic Community Church in California. That passion for music and ministry is apparent in Tonex, who has to be the most creative artist in Christian R&B and gospel right now.

Tonex works hard to produce music that sounds different than anything else out there. If you’ve never heard him, try to imagine Kirk Franklin with the style of Michael Jackson and Prince. Tonex has remarkable control of his voice, and his use of voice stacking is quite an interesting effect.

"Tumbling" is a song about the insignificance of the barriers in our lives compared to God’s power. The title track is a call for artist to be morally accountable with their music. "Help" uses a rocking Prince-like beat to explore recent media events and our need for God. "Seasons" reminds us there is a reason for all the hills and valleys in our life. "That’s When" is a smooth R&B ballad about praying for God’s blessings in our life, and "See You Again" is a beautiful piano tribute to September 11.

It is artist like Tonex who will take gospel and R&B to new creative heights. That such music is created to minister to others and give glory to God makes it all the more wonderful.