EARLY LAST MONTH the onetime kings of Oakland soul – Tony Toni Toné – played together onstage for the first time in years. The occasion was an appearance by TTT singer Raphael Saadiq that was being taped for a live album; the results were good enough for a tentative October release. That's really no surprise – because Saadiq and his brother D'Wayne Wiggins have sung and played together all their lives. TTT jump-started their career with "Little Walter," a big R&B hit, and between 1988 and 1996 put out four terrific albums, worthy of being mentioned with the soul music of yesteryear and better than the neo-soul to come. The Tonys represented Oakland well when they were together; both have remained active, accessible musicians since. Saadiq was one-third of the short-lived R&B supergroup Lucy Pearl, released a strong solo album in 2002, Instant Vintage (Universal), and has produced and written for other artists (his song "Untitled" won D'Angelo a Grammy). Wiggins, too, has remained an influential, constructive figure in the local arts scene. It might seem like old times when both men share the stage at Ruby Skye, but in fact both are looking ahead, not behind. They've got a terrific body of songs to choose from, the show will be great – and so, no doubt, will be projects yet to come. These folks are the real deal. 9 p.m., 420 Mason, S.F. $39.50 (Thurs/21 show is sold out). www.ticketweb.com. (J.H. Tompkins)