Ronald Tomas Nonet - Travels (2012)

A brave kaleidoscope of musical fare from all over the world textured with indigenous Philippine rhythms and melodies over jazz as foundational bedrock. This in essence is the core of what the music of Ronald Tomas Nonet and their full length album “Travels” is all about.

Progressive and at the same time traditional in approach complemented by strong performances is what the group unapologetically radiates in every track. The new “Travels” album is in the “Sounds Like” category of Miles Davis’ Nonet of Birth of the Cool featuring the arrangements of Gil Evans, Joe Lovano Nonet’s 52nd Street Themes, Kalayo, Bob Aves and traditional Philippine Pasyon, Harana, Kundiman, Kulintang and Kalinga music.
Unique in vision and unprecedented in musical treatment, this record is tightly arranged and produced by Ronald Tomas, engineered by Shinji Tanaka and Johnoy Danao and mastered by Darryll Swann (record producer, songwriter, educator and musician who has worked with prominent artists including Macy Gray, Black Eyed Peas, Mos Def among others and has also done substantial work for Atlantic Records, Sony Records, and Universal Records.)

This trailblazing effort has both energy and driving power coupled with class, sensitivity and style thus making the group and the album project one broad spectrum of musical soundscape all rolled in one neat package.