Editorial Review
British soul singer and songwriter Joss Stone's third album,
Introducing Joss Stone, is an electrifying mix of warm vintage soul, '70s-style R&B, Motown girl-group harmonies, and hip-hop grooves. The album is the one that Stone describes as "truly me. That's why I'm calling it Introducing Joss Stone," she says. "These are my words, and this is who I am as an artist." Knowing she wanted to write the album alone, Stone decamped to Barbados in April to come up with lyrics. She stayed for several months before flying to the Bahamas to hook up with her main musical collaborator and producer Raphael Saadiq (known for his work with D'Angelo, The Roots, and Macy Gray). Stone and Saadiq spent two months recording in the Bahamas, and then mixed it at the legendary Electric Lady Studios in New York City.
Other musical collaborators include rapper/singer/songwriter and producer Novel, who is the grandson of soul legend Solomon Burke and has written songs for Kelis and India.Arie, as well as Beau Dozier, son of Motown legend Lamont Dozier, whom she wrote with on her last album, 2004's gold-certified Mind, Body & Soul. The album also features guest vocal appearances by the rapper Common on "Tell Me What We're Going to Do," and reclusive singer Lauryn Hill, who lends a rap to the languid Fugees-inspired track "Music."
Limited edition CD + Bonus DVD features recording footage, making of the video, the music video, and interviews with Joss discussing the making of the record.
Joss Stone Photos
More from Joss Stone
Mind, Body, & Soul | 
The Soul Sessions | 
Mind, Body, & Soul Sessions [DVD] |
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Customer Reviews
Soulful Pop, Near Perfection! 
2008-02-23
I really regret not picking up this CD when it first came out. I picked this up a few days ago and its been on repeat ever since. We all know Joss can "sang" <<(intentionally spelled with an "a") and she does so on this album just as she has on previous ablums. Only on this one with a little more pop to go along with her soul/r&b sound. Joss doesn't loose her roots in soul as this disc still exhibits a strong soul/r&b feel. I can't say there is one mediocore song on the disc, my favorite being "What are we gonna do now" ft. Common. Joss is a rare, raw talent in todays music world of over produced, 15 min self life artists. "Introducing Joss Stone" is a diamond!
Joss demands attention. And she gets it (good & plenty bad)! 4 stars. 
2007-11-16
First off, what is it with the people saying that the backup singers need to go away? They only enhance the experience, IMO. And also, did you NOT like the backup singers in her near-classic, Spoiled? That's a question you can ask yourself.
I find that this CD is good but nothing great. Sure, there are SOME good songs but I must admit Joss' head IS a little big (see Headturner). I don't hate her though. Besides, the song is fun. And if this is how she is trying to "re-introduce" herself to us then I'm all for the attempt. The only song here that I really don't care for is Proper Nice. What's up with that song? Haha. I'm not crazy about Bad Habit or Music either...The latter is actually growing on me but Lauryn Hill's rap is annoying IMO. I think she and Joss should have just sung together.
Anyway, on a lighter note my favorite song here is definitely Put Your Hands On Me. I find it to be real funky (which most of this CD is: funky). Some think Introducing Joss Stone is soulful like her first CD but I must disagree. I think it perfectly lacks soul. Here are my favorite songs:
Girl, They Won't Believe It! (makes me so happy with it's "happy-go-lucky" feel. No pun intended!)
Tell Me What We're Gonna Do Now feat. Common (one of her best slow grooves. Fresh, contemporary vibe. LOVE the video. Lots and lots of color.
Put Your Hands On Me
Arms Of My Baby
You know what I see that happened here? Joss definitely traded soul and got fun. That's what this is, a fun album. If you're looking for something even a little bit soulful, please, PLEASE look elsewhere. You won't find that here. But what is up with all these 1-star reviews? Do you think this CD is THAT bad? I mean really, come on here. This is still Joss Stone we're talking about. And besides, What Were We Thinking is in the same vein of what she used to sing. If you're reading this, Hi, Joss. I'm a big fan (I know if I was an artist I'd check to see what people thought of my album:P)!
P.S. I think Bruised But Not Broken should be her next single.
4/5 stars.
End note: I changed the line-up. Put Your Hands is my 3rd favorite, And Girl You Won't Believe It! is king. Seriously, the vibe is bananas. Love it.
Excellent and very upbeat 2007-10-28
Joss just gets better and better with every CD she does. She is definitely maturing. She will go far.
Introducing Joss Stone (dvd review only) 2007-09-29
Since I reviewed the cd already, this review is just of the dvd. I'm a junkie for these behind the scenes dvds because it makes me feel like I'm getting a peek behind the artists' veil. We follow Joss to the Caribbean as she works on the disc with Raphael Sadiqq & Common. It was interesting hearing her take on this album being more "personal" and more of a representation of her as a young woman & artist than her two previous albums.
Her thoughts on the BABY BABY BABY track is followed by our getting to see the orchestra bring the song to life - it was a real treat to not only hear her thoughts but to see the album actually coming to life.
Next we see on the spot interviews with New Yorkers who are asked their opinions of which of two songs should be included on the disc. The two songs, PROPER NICE & BAD HABIT actually both made it onto the disc.
We then get a peek as the video for TELL ME BOUT IT is made before checking out Joss & the band's preparation for her promotional tour.
All in all I found this to be another interesting insight into a singer/artist's world and would recommend spending the extra money for this combo if you're a Joss Stone fan.
Shoulda Listened 
2007-08-16
I should have listened to samples of this recording before I bought it! If I had, I would not have bought it since I do not like it at all.
Beautiful 2007-08-16
British soul singer and songwriter Joss Stone's third album,
Introducing Joss Stone, is an electrifying mix of warm vintage soul, '70s-style R&B, Motown girl-group harmonies, and hip-hop grooves. The album is the one that Stone describes as "truly me. That's why I'm calling it Introducing Joss Stone," she says. "These are my words, and this is who I am as an artist." Knowing she wanted to write the album alone, Stone decamped to Barbados in April to come up with lyrics. She stayed for several months before flying to the Bahamas to hook up with her main musical collaborator and producer Raphael Saadiq (known for his work with D'Angelo, The Roots, and Macy Gray). Stone and Saadiq spent two months recording in the Bahamas, and then mixed it at the legendary Electric Lady Studios in New York City.
Other musical collaborators include rapper/singer/songwriter and producer Novel, who is the grandson of soul legend Solomon Burke and has written songs for Kelis and India.Arie, as well as Beau Dozier, son of Motown legend Lamont Dozier, whom she wrote with on her last album, 2004's gold-certified Mind, Body & Soul. The album also features guest vocal appearances by the rapper Common on "Tell Me What We're Going to Do," and reclusive singer Lauryn Hill, who lends a rap to the languid Fugees-inspired track "Music."
Limited edition CD + Bonus DVD features recording footage, making of the video, the music video, and interviews with Joss discussing the making of the record.
Joss Stone Photos
More from Joss Stone
Mind, Body, & Soul |
The Soul Sessions |
Mind, Body, & Soul Sessions [DVD] |
Introducing Joss Stone 2007-06-11
The 1st time I heard her I was hooked with her sound, looks, and style. She is young and has a long life ahead of her. The cd/dvd combo is great, and the dvd was excellent to watch. The band is excellent and the backround vocals are great. I would recommend it to anyone...
A different style, but same soul 2007-06-01
If you like Joss Stone, you will like this cd. I love all her cd's. It really is a natural progression. The first one really was just a teenager loving to sing. The second one was one of a little more experience. And as she says time and again about this cd- it really does seem that music is the love of her life in this cd. She has a great producer and writers (including herself) and the overall cd is just great. It is soulful, and makes you feel moved. It's mostly happy music. Just gets deep down inside of you and makes you feel what she's singing.
You will love this cd. (unless you are a hipster)
She does it again! 2007-05-14
I have a couple of Joss Stones CD's already, so when I heard about this new one, I had to have it. I was not disappointed! Her sultry/bluesy voice is intoxicating.
Stone Embraces 'Change' Yet Again (2.5 stars) 
2007-04-11
Troubling as it is, Joss Stone is indicative of a strong problem with popular music, and her haughtily-titled new album "Introducing Joss Stone" continues the indication. Stone has verve and sizzle - there's no disputing the British vocalist has a uniquely talented throat. However, as on her previous releases, the ingredients don't quite jell.
Like 2004's "Mind, Body and Soul," the new record is weighed down by too much style and too little substance. To call Stone pretentious would be a massive understatement. As if it isn't enough that she systematically checkmarks all the soul singer clichés, everything from her image to her album titles to her cover art reflect such an air of self-importance that each CD should come with its own gust of wind. The title sounds ripe for a debut LP - not a third major release from an established artist, and the speech intro by English footballer Vinnie Jones, "Change," further attempts to convey to the listener that, yet again, Stone has thrown a curveball to her creative palette. Please.
Stone's main predicament is that she sounds like an amalgamation of many of her influences, but with far less memorable material. She clearly draws upon classic singers of blues, Motown, even Tin Pan Alley - harkening memories of better, more fully-realized songs than the ones she delivers. This means that, aside from some modern flourishes and mainstream influences, she has hardly made any significant "change" since the last time around.
Jarring lyrics spew out of Stone's mouth left and right. No matter how invested she may attempt to sound or how funky the instrumentation may be, awkward wordplay such as this verse from lead single "Tell Me `Bout It" simply cannot hide:
"Let's have a show of hands, who's addicted to their man?/If I could do the things I want to you, you'd be changing all your plans/You wanna say I'm yours, I wanna say get it/You wanna say, so say, I know what you're thinking babe."
Stone has a strong presence and a likeable, engaging set of pipes, even if her full potential seems to be seething below the surface. Still, it comes as no surprise that the entire record sounds like one very long song that's both overcooked and overzealous. The only slight variations come in the form of cool-as-cucumber ballads like "Bruised But Not Broken" and "What Were We Thinking?," leaving the mildly hooky "Headturner" as, well, the only head turner left on the disc.
As Christina Aguilera keeps on proving, a fine voice does not automatically equal a fine album. Whereas she goes way over the top in her performances, ripping fine ballads to shreds, Stone takes a different course: Holding back too often, and accumulating less than stellar compositions. Both are guilty of imitating their influences far too obviously; in a perfect world, Etta James would be receiving royalties.
At age 19, Stone is still young, and will doubtless go through many a "change" in what is sure to be a long, fruitful career in commercial terms. She may well make fine records one day too, but "Introducing Joss Stone" is merely mediocre; a half-hearted testament to her talent with only the guise of brilliance at its disposal
