Music Review: "Wonders Beyond Belief" by Gentle Jones

Gentle Jones is more than meets the eye. Jones is an eccentric rapper, skateboarder, and entertainer based out of what he affectionately calls “ beautiful Prices Corner, Delaware. The finest place in the world”. His talents and creativity have led him to being featured in iconic skateboard enthusiasts magazine Thrasher and gaining fans with his original and unique spin on one of the world's favorite music genres. Two years after the release and viral success of the music video of his single “The Day I Became A Robot”, and a year after the release of the full album “Wonders Beyond Belief",  these songs are still refreshing, clever, and worthy of repeat. 

(Gentle Jones: photo submitted by Gentle Jones with credit to his wife )

Wonders Beyond Belief is dripping with big band samples layered on top of classic boom bap-style beats, perfectly matching the album art created by Danny Hellman and the vaudeville snake oil persona Jones takes on. Even with his obvious character, Jones is telling his own story reflected in songs like “Ballad of a 50 year old skateboarder”. His lyrics include witty punchlines about adult themes like credit scores and slowing down while still keeping it playful by including his childhood fascinations like robots, farts and old school cartoons. Jones shows a softer sweeter side in “Once in a lifetime thing”, swinging into a country ballad featuring fiddle and singing.

The producer credits for the album are expansive and impressive including Ciph from Dover, Jack Beazly from Connecticut, DJ E from Athens, Greece, Sonic Wallpaper from California, and Grammy Award winning Joe "The Butcher" Nicolo from Pennsylvania. Joe is known for working with Will Smith, Billy Joel, the Fugees. This masterful work is available on major streaming platforms but to get the album on vinyl along with other special items like skateboard decks, t-shirts, and other merch, check out his online store Gentle Jones Luxury Emporium.