The Chokin' Kind
A slow jam, stripped, soul classic. Joss' voice is good enough to sell the song on its own, which it does at the song's end. Sound first song for Joss' first album.
Super Duper Love (Are You Diggin' On Me) Pt. 1
Not to sure where Part 2 is but after being introduced to Joss' vocal talent on track one, we get an up-tempo offering. You can't not like this song. Like the love, it is Super Duper.
Fell In Love With A Boy
With Angie Stone on backing vocals, you have to be delivering something good in the studio and Joss does. The music is great, full of bomb chika wah wahs. You will be nodding your head and joining in with the Ahh, Ahh, Ahh, Ahh, Ahh, Ahhs before you know it.
Victim Of A Foolish Heart
Never speeding up to something worth writing home about, the album slows right down again for this emotional track. It warns a partner about giving in to temptation and once the song gets you, it doesn't let you go. Queue staring into space in quiet reflection for the duration of the track. It builds and builds without you knowing and almost catches you by surprise at its climax
Dirty Man
Could be lifted from an unplugged album and has some seriously old school lyrics. Good in the background but not a track that demands a serious listen like 'Victim..'
Some Kind Of Wonderful
The first thing that grabs you about this is the bass: pretty much the only thing at the track's opening other than a quiet drum beat and Joss herself. With a voice like this, why would you drown it with unecessary instrumentation? Consistent throughout until Joss asks if she can 'Get A Witness?' and, surprisingly for a 17 at the time Devonshire lass pulls it off. (This was pre-embarrassing Brits appearance).
I've Fallen In Love With You
One word: Beautiful.
I Had A Dream
Acappella start to a slow song that builds to a crescendo around 1min30 in and promptly strips itself bare again immediately after. OK.
All The Kings Horses
I love Organs in Soul (think 'Ex-Factor') and 'All The Kings Horses' has them. One of the more up-tempo tracks on the album that will have you tapping your foot if not rocking out in your seat.
For The Love Of You Pts. 1 & 2
'Feels good to me' is the opening line to this track and, if it's good enough for the likes of Betty Wright and ?uestlove who are all over production on this album, it is definitely good enough for me. Just Joss's voice with a little keyboard backing which sounds great but once again, where the hell is the second part?!
The reviews stuck to the front of this Mercury Music Prize nominated album say it all: The Soul Sessions is a revelation (Mojo), Debut of the year (The Independent), Stone sounds like a queen of Mowtown Soul...smoky, passionate and quite extraordinary (The Guardian), Spine-tingling (Vibe Magazine) and Knocks you off your feet from the first listen (Billboard Magazine). To earn these reviews in just over 40 minutes (duration of the album) is remarkable. It is a brilliant debut from a talented artist that is consistantly overlooked in her home country.
She followed this covers album with her own songs to prove that she can hold her own in the company she keeps, which is no mean feat by any stretch of the imagination. Listening to colour me free! and her guest appearance on Raphael Saadiq's 'The Way I See It' in particular, she sounds more and more like Aretha Franklin as time goes on. To come out with this debut and to progress and get better and better (the latter half of Introducing.... aside) is nothing short of phenomenal. Definitely Recommended.
Joss Stone's Official Website: www.jossstone.com
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