Written by Susie Salva
British free spirited songstress Joss Stone is releasing “The Best of Joss Stone: 2003-2009,” on Virgin/EMI Records showcasing her soulful, sultry and sexy vocals. Joss’ instinct and strong belief in herself has served her well over the past decade. Her unique sound makes her a standout in this busy sea of female performers ever present in the music industry today.
Joss Stone’s top singles and album standouts spanning her S-Curve and Virgin Records catalog have been gathered for the first time for a new collection titled, “The Best of Joss Stone: 2003-2009” and the CD has been released by Virgin/EMI records on 13-track and digital collection.
At the age of 16, Grammy and Brit Award-winning singer, Joss Stone rocketed to worldwide fame and acclaim with the release of her debut album, “The Soul Sessions.” Songs like “Fell in Love With A Boy,” (Stone’s re-working of the White Stripes’ “Fell In Love With A Girl”) features Stone’s use of slinky, funky guitar grooves underneath her signature bluesy, soulful raspy vocals. The disc also features her version of Willie Garner’s “Super Duper Love (Are You Digging Me) This song has an R&B vibe with strong backing vocals an ode to an undying love. Stone’s central theme throughout these 2003-2009 songs is her ability to be strong and independent but sensitive enough to still be able to believe in love.
Stone’s second album, 2004’s “Mind Body & Soul,” showcased her songwriting talents as well as her soulful singing style with the singles “You Had Me,” “Right To Be Wrong,””Don’t Cha Wanna Ride,” and “Spoiled” among the Platinum album’s standout tracks. These songs focus on her vulnerability but also her strength to be able to stand on her own.
The Platinum-certified “Introducing…Joss Stone,” released in 2007, reached #2 on the Billboard Top 200 chart and featured “Tell Me ‘Bout It,” “Baby, Baby, Baby” tackling the question of whether her love would be there for her, “Tell Me What We’re Gonna Do Now” featuring Common with his version of rap twisted into her soulful delivered sound.
This CD also featured “Bruised But Not Broken,” a lovely ballad again praising her ability to be able to stand on her own. Released in 2009, Stone’s fourth album, “Colour Me Free,” hit #10 on the Billboard Top 200 and featured the singles “Free Me” and “Stalemate” (featuring Jamie Hartman). The new collection also includes Stone’s version of Nat King Cole’s “L-O-V-E” heard on the ad for Chanel’s Coco Mademoiselle fragrance.
Stone was obsessed with soul music as a child and has been able to hone her trademark gravely lustrous vocals today. She began pursuing a singing career at thirteen, when she auditioned for UK talent show Star for a Night. This eventually led to a record deal and the release of Stone’s star-making debut album “The Soul Sessions,” in 2003.
Her second record, 2004’s “Mind Body & Soul,” capitalized on “The Soul Sessions” commercial momentum critical success and earned Stone three Grammy nominations, including one for Best New Artist. It wasn’t until her third album 2007’s “Introducing… Joss Stone,” that Stone showcased her songwriting chops; it marked the highest debut ever for a female British solo artist on the Billboard charts. It has been slow for her to build an audience in America, but “Introducing Joss Stone,” has made the transition more smoothly.
In twenty-four years she’s participated more moments of absolute musical wonder than most people can hope for in an entire lifetime. Stone has been known for her rebel attitude whether she is dancing barefoot onstage or dying her hair various colors of speaking out on issues she is passionate about, part of what her fans love about her is that she’s a free-spirit, following her own instincts times.
Stone’s blend of emotive soulfulness and unparalleled vocals with raw, bareness of traditional blues definitely makes her stand out of the crowd. This Fall will also see the eagerly-awaited release from Super Heavy, the super group featuring Joss as well as other legendary musicians as Mick Jagger, Damian Marley, A.R. Rahman, and Dave Stewart. The diverse group, who have been quietly writing together, are looking forward to finally sharing their unique collaboration with fans worldwide.
