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English singer Joss Stone was just
16 when she emerged on the pop/rock scene in 2003. Ready to take on the
pop domination of Britney and Christina with a sound wise beyond her
teenage years, Stone positioned herself among the more established and
credible artists (Norah Jones, Jill Scott, Nikka Costa) reigning adult
alternative pop/rock. Born Joscelyn Eve Stoker in 1987, the sun-kissed
blonde darling grew up listening to American soul and R&B. Aretha Franklin
was a favorite and in time, Stone realized that she possessed an
impressive throaty vocal style with both depth and emotion, much like her
idols. In 2002, Stone took a chance. She left her family home in Devon,
England (also home to Coldplay's Chris Martin) for an audition in New York
City. Stone wowed S-Curve CEO Steve Greenberg with her rendition of Donna
Summer's "On the Radio," and landed herself a deal. R&B/soul pioneer Betty
Wright joined Stone for her first recording, becoming an instant mentor
and friend to the impressionable girl with big dreams. Vocalist Angie
Stone and the Roots also assisted Stone in the studio in 2003 for what
became The Soul Sessions EP. A riveting set of 1970s classics by the likes
of Laura Lee and Bettye Swann, as well as tracks by Wright and Franklin,
The Soul Sessions EP was accentuated by fellow Miami soul musicians Benny
Latimore, Timmy Thomas, and Little Beaver. S-Curve couldn't wait to tell
the world about their one-of-a-kind starlet with an old soul, therefore
Stone hurriedly crafted this neo-soul gem in just four days. In early
2004, Stone introduced herself to the MTV generation with the funky strut
of "Fell in Love with a Boy," which was a rework of the White Stripes hit
"Fell in Love with a Girl." The Soul Sessions was a huge success, selling
over two million copies. Mind, Body & Soul was released in 2004, again
from S-Curve Records, and its 14 tracks featured 12 that were written or
co-written by Stone. |
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The Soul Sessions, 2003
Mind, Body & Soul, 2004
Introducing Joss Stone, 2007 |
