Free Me
One Word: Brilliant. I got to see Joss in concert at the weekend and she was fantastic. This song was dedicated to anyone with a free mind and it went down a storm. Joss looked surprised at the reaction it got and people were singing along all the way through. This is a song to EMI. Joss is asking to be freed from her record contract with them but this is also a song for anyone who has been put down or made to believe that they were not good enough. It is the perfect start to the album with a funky guitar and drums that you are going to love.
Could Have Been You
At the concert, Joss said that she wrote this song when she was fifteen years old, which is quite frankly remarkable. She said that she no longer remembers who it was about but one thing she does remember is that he was a tw*t. This is a song to an ex about what he is missing out on and is fairly uptempo and upbeat. This also went down well and, at the bridge, Joss gives it some. This girl has a set of pipes on her.
Parellel Lines feat. Jeff Beck & Sheila E.
Another funky number, this song uses the metaphor of parellel lines for our lives. We keep ourselves to ourselves and our (life)lines never touch. The songs says 'how beautiful it could be' if we could 'close up the distance between all these parellel lines'. It's a good message and it is a good song. There is an electic guitar solo for those of you that like to rock out.
Lady
Sexy guitars and a slower pace give this song a sassiness that make it a favourite of this album. At Joss' invitation, this was requested at her gig and she duly obliged her fans with a faultless performance of this song that gives an insight into Joss' seduction technique. She is trying to remain ladylike (keep her lady) when faced with a 'naughty boy' that leaves her 'tongue-tied'. The bridge provides the best moment of the song.
4 and 20
The piano introduces this jazzy number that Joss wrote about a man not doing what he is supposed to do when he is supposed to do it. 4 and 20 refers to the number of hours that her man has to prove to Joss that his love has got the power to make her believe that he will take her where she wants to be. On reflection she said that she realises that the song, with some sexy muted brass, is actually about the impatience of women to which she states is OK, 'cos we're ladies'.
Big Ol' Game feat. Raphael Saadiq
If you have not heard 'The Way I See It' yet, I suggest you put this on your list of things to do. Raphael's latest album is nothing short of brilliant and he lends his brilliance to this track, which Joss used as her encore. It is an upbeat song that Joss said is about enjoying life and 'having a laugh'. This will have you dancing.
Governmentalist feat. Nas
The big name collaborations keep on coming with Nas rapping over this moving political cut. The funky guitars do not distract from the frankly tragic lyric. Joss sings about the war that the Western World is wagering around the globe with some powerful imagery. She questions the motives behind the offensive and the background vocal on this is fantastic. This song catches you by surprise but will soon be a favourite.
Incredible
I keep on using the word funky to describe this album, which is more upbeat that much of Joss previous recordings. Funk fused with soul is the order of the day and the dirty brass on this will have you on your feet by the time the gospeldelic end hits.
You Got The Love
A cover of the Candi Statton classic. Is it better than the various other versions of the song that have been around? On first listen I would say no. Now I am not too sure....
I Believe It To My Soul feat. David Sanborn
Big on the brass, heavy on the sax; this is as old school as you can get. I want to say Jazz, I want to say Blues, I want to say Funk (again). There's another flawless vocal over a track which would have some of the greats saying that they don't make them like this anymore. Joss does.
Stalemate with Jamie Hartman
Another song, another sound. This song wanders into Rock Ballad Territory with Jamie Hartman's husky voice. Rock not being my genre of choice, this song is one of my least favourites but Joss' voice, sounding better than ever, makes the track more than listenable.
Girlfriend On Demand
The piano is the only accompaniment for the opening of this simple song that sounds a little like 'Loving You' in places and which builds to something quite powerful. The song deals with a man wanting everything from a relationship without putting anything into it. 'How can I be your girlfriend on demand when you won't hold my hand?' she asks in a voice and with a sound that could be compared to Jennifer Hudson. Stunning.
Every Time I Turn Around
This is a slow love song with strings that come from nowhere and take the song back to an age gone by. This would be great at the end of the night for a smooch with the one that you love.
Mr. Wankerman
The sax on this song kills me. I love it. Coming in at just under fourteen minutes long, this is pure brilliance. Wankerman reminds me of Erykah Badu jamming but, as much as I love Ms. Badu, this knocks spots of 'Tyrone'. The sound is raw, full of adlibs and is a brilliant end to a brilliant album. The instrumental where Joss lets her band tell Mr. Wankerman something worth thinking about is amazing. Stone's voice, as it has been all over the album, is equally impressive and, when this song comes on, the volume goes up. And up. And up. You'll be closing your eyes, nodding your head and clicking your fingers; all with the biggest smile on your face and that is a promise.
You need to buy colour me free! Recorded in just two weeks the album is phenomenal and does not sound rushed like other efforts recorded in the same amount of time. (B-Day?) Stone loves music and she oozes class track after track on this. It has everything: slow grooves, party tracks, feel good songs, songs that will make you stop and think.... It's what music should do. Stone's delivery is effortless, from the soul and will leave you spellbound. This girl does not get her dues but, with albums like this, it can only be a matter of time before she does.
Joss Stone's Official Website: www.jossstone.com
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