Mind, Body & Soul [ENHANCED]

Joss Stone

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 28, 2004)
• Original Release Date: September 28, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Virgin Records Us
• ASIN: B0002U6GFQ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (211 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,053 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

These days, it seems anyone can make an R&B album. However, recording a soul album takes that special intangible element. The 17-year-old Devon, England, native first proved that she has it with The Soul Sessions, a collection of rare soul grooves. She does it here again with Mind, Body & Soul, her first album of original material. For those who thought that Stone could only interpret vintage ballads, witness the midtempo attitude of "Jet Lag." Backed by a thumping backbeat, Stone tells of a love of so all-encompassing that it is physically draining. On lead single, "You Had Me," Stone takes the persona of a woman done wrong with biting edge and a funky wah-wah guitar introduces her "get lost" sentiment over an infectious hook. Mind, Body & Soul also features a host of moving ballads that are reminiscent of the more downtempo fare characteristic of The Soul Sessions. The choir-backed "Security" is an organ-touched tale of love and support in the wake of tragedy. "Spoiled," a song Stone wrote with the legendary Lamont and Beau Dozier of Dozier-Holland-Dozier, is a romantically lush offering in which Stone's alto caresses the piano-driven arrangement. Other Mind, Body & Soul highlights include the hypnotic "Snakes & Ladders" and the roots reggae vibe of "Less Is More." While The Soul Sessions introduced Stone to the world, this album will make her placement in the soul canon undeniable. --Rashaun Hall

Product Description

Joss Stone Photos

More from Joss Stone

Introducing Joss Stone

The Soul Sessions

Mind, Body, & Soul Sessions [DVD]

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

95 of 113 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good, But..., September 30, 2004

By	B. Niedt (Cherry Hill, NJ United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Joss Stone calls this her first "real" CD, and by that I guess she means her first collection of mostly originally-penned songs. As was evident in "Soul Sessions", she has a wonderful voice, very expressive and soulful, honeyed and seasoned to sound about twice her seventeen years. And her friend and mentor, Betty Wright, is on hand throughout the recording as backup. But if I had to pick between the two, I would still be partial to "Soul Sessions." Part of the strength of that CD was her remarkably mature interpretations of some R&B chestnuts. On this release, her songwriting skills are commendable but unremarkable. Of course there are high points, especially "Killing Time", where she really pulls out the stops. But a lot of the musical and vocal stylings here sound like they begin to veer dangerously close to "pop diva" territory. Joss certainly is a looker, and it would so easy to market her that way. Let's hope she doesn't fall into that trap. (And one final note to the producers: A "hidden track" can be fun, but why have ten minutes of dead space preceding it?)

50 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I dig it hard, October 3, 2004

By	K. Stuckey "kateling" (Port Huron, MI USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I picked up this CD after catching the end of the video for "You Had Me", that was all I needed to hear. This CD is tight, Joss' vocals are smoky as she sings about love, heartbreak and independence. The vibe through the whole disc is SO cool, with the organs, smooth bass lines and Miss Betty Wright's background vocals - a perfect touch! I have been playing it non-stop everywhere, my favorite songs are the funky "Don't Cha Wanna Ride", "Jet Lag", "Killing Time" and sassy "You Had Me" - although there is really not a bad song in the lot. Joss is a welcome throwback to 70's soul and I look forward to hearing more from this talented young lady! Viva Motown!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I just wanted to sample one track . . ., October 9, 2004

By	E. Romano "bigas2k" (Las Vegas, Nevada United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I checked out "Soul Sessions" from the local library so I can hear Joss's rendition of the Isley Bros' "For the love of you", after hearing the excellent jazz cover by Hil St. Soul. What a delightful surprise, since all the tracks in the first album absolutely rock! Armed with the vocal appeal that would compare to recent greats Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston, she complements the soulful, floating melodies of "Mind, Body, and Soul" (a la "Spoiled"). Top that with lighter, faster, funk-infused songs like "Dontcha Wanna Ride" and "Jet-Lag", and you've got yourself a real good vocal album.

I'm absolutley impressed with her voice; it is beautiful, profound, sensual, and somber, all at the right moments. She exercises great control (in the tradition of soul), and it helps you carry through the whole album. That's my biggest gripe about contemporary r&b/pop/vocal music, extravagant singing (e.g. Aguilera and the like) is too celebrated, and what ends up happening most of the time is it drowns out the rest of the song or album.
But Stone's album has that subdued quality, and her singing complements instead of overpowering the other elements in her songs. It makes for great listening, when you don't have peaks in the songs so much as a climbing through it, hearing Joss's voice dance with the organ and elec. guitar in the background.

All in all, a quality production. I hope to see more of her in the near and distant future; she's a breeze of originality to the mainstream scene. I think she'll do good for the soul genre (especially because she's not the usual).

One thing I would like to see happen is "Torn&Tattered" becoming one of the singles off the album. The funk factor is just too much on this one. . . From the play on the electric guitar to the resilience of Betty Wright's (& Joss's) backup vocals, to the phat drum breaks . . . and of course(!), credits to Joss Stone's amazing vocal gymnastics. I've seriously experienced some major involuntary shoulder, neck, and hip movement everytime I put this track on. Bravo.
This is the type of funky stuff that will define her as a premier artist (accent on the i).