Photos provided by David "Odiwams" Wright

In the nearly 25 years since singer/bassist Raphael Saadiq, his brother and fellow vocalist/guitarist D’Wayne Wiggins, plus their cousin and keyboardist Timothy Christian Riley performed together in Tony! Toni! Toné!, their profound influence and legendary status has only increased with each subsequent generation.

Not only did the group sculpt a series of certified R&B classics through the back half of the 1980s into the the ‘90s, but Saadiq went on to a stratospheric solo, songwriting and production career, including collaborations with Beyoncé, John Legend and Mary J. Blige, while Wiggins and Riley stayed similarly active behind the scenes or on the road.

Even so, there was nothing like getting the whole band back together for the “Just You & Me” Tour, which filled the historic Chicago Theatre to capacity just like its doing pretty much everywhere in honor of the double platinum project, “Sons Of Soul,” turning 30.

However, throughout two acts and nearly as many hours, Tony! Toni! Toné!, who are pictured in previously provided photos, collectively and individually addressed just about everything expected from each major album and then some, backed by three supporting singers and seven spectacular musicians, including homegrown guitarist Isaiah Sharkey.

Early arrival was encouraged since cellphones were required to be stored in Yondr pouches while inside the seating area, but most seemed to arrive right as the headliners were getting loose and certainly by the time “Little Walter” caused the earliest eruption of the evening.

It was a reaction that would replay on numerous occasions, especially the Saadiq-led “For The Love Of You,” “If I Had No Loot” and “Let’s Get Down,” alongside the Wiggins-fronted “Whatever You Want” and “Til Last Summer.”

Saadiq also slayed “(Lay Your Head On My) Pillow,” and after intermission, turned in an individual set stocked with “Still Ray,” “Ask Of You” and even “Dance Tonight” from his days in Lucy Pearl, accompanied in this instance by LaToya London.

Soon after, the all the guys settled into super smooth ballads such as “Anniversary” and “It Never Rains (In Southern California)” as loads of couples slowed danced, followed by the funky new jack swinger “Feels Good,” complete with its call and response chants of “oh, oh, baby” resonating all the way up to the furthest corners of the balcony.

As the primary players were taking a bow, Saadiq pleasantly surprised everyone by promising new tunes slated for 2024, and if this initial reunion was a sign of what’s to come, it’s already safe to say “Tony! Toni! Toné! has done it again!”

For additional information on Raphael Saadiq and Tony! Toni! Toné!, visit RaphaelSaadiqMusic.com and TonyToniTone.com.

For a list of upcoming Live Nation concerts, visit LiveNation.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at the Chicago Theatre include The Temptations & The Four Tops (Oct. 14); My Morning Jacket (Nov. 9-11); Liz Phair (Nov. 18); Faith Evans, Kelly Price and Jon B (Nov. 24); Brett Eldredge (Dec. 1-2) and Straight No Chaser (Dec. 3). For additional details, visit TheChicagoTheatre.com.

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