When you slip in Joss Stone’s debut Soul Sessions and the music begins the first thing likely to pop into your mind is something along the line of “damn, this woman can really sing!” As the album’s title suggests, this is a collection of great soul songs – some classics, some more obscure, and a few more modern ones that aren’t known as soul anything in the original incarnations. While it might be a bit odd that any singer’s debut is entirely made of remakes you’ll hardly notice because Joss’ voice will quickly capture your attention.

When you dig a little deeper into Joss Stone’s background though what you find might be a huge surprise. Joss is only sixteen years old and her California blonde looks seem more suited to Britney Spears style pop, not soul. Also consider that Joss is English and first got noticed on a British “star-for-a-night” television program. If you hadn’t heard her voice already, you might think Joss would be lacking in talent or needed a lot of studio “help” to create her sound, but take my word for it – this girl can sing with the best of them and on Soul Sessions she more than proves it.

An all-star cast of artists were gathered together to record with Joss in Miami and Philadelphia, most notably legends Betty Wright, Latimore, Little Beaver, the Roots and more. What they created together is rather outstanding, with Joss’ sweet-as-honey and sexy as sin vocals at the forefront of this homage some Soul greats. With most tracks recorded live the results are about as authentic and organic as possible and it all wraps up into an overall exciting project.

All of the tracks on Soul Sessions are superb, with Joss not only showing off her voice, but her ability to reinterpret these songs without coming off trite or forced. The emotion packed into her phrasing is hard to miss and her vocals aren’t overdone in any way. I wouldn’t discount any of the tracks here, but I do have a few personal favorites including “The Chokin’ Kind” – which oozes directly through your ears into your heart – and Aretha Franklin’s “All the King’s Horses” – which might be a daunting task for many a seasoned singer, let alone sixteen year old Joss. I also dig her reinterpretation of “Some Kind of Wonderful,” but it is “Fell in Love With a Boy” that steals the show. Yes, this is a remake of the White Stripes’ hit “Fell in Love With a Girl” and if you weren’t already familiar with the original version you’d swear this was meant to be an R&B number all along. This one track alone is enough to check out Soul Sessions.

While I would normally be hesitant of any new singer who makes her debut solely of remade material, Joss Stone pulls it off with flying colors. Beyond her vocals, it’s the choice of songs and musicians that really pushes this album above and beyond an average offering. Soul Sessions sets the stage for what could prove a long and fruitful career for Joss and serves as a great introduction for those who might otherwise be skeptical of her talent. I can’t wait to hear what Joss whips up for her next effort, particularly how she treats new material. Soul Sessions is nevertheless an album that you shouldn’t pass up.


Track Listing:
The Chokin’ Kind
Super Duper Love
Fell in Love With a Boy
Victim of a Foolish Heart
Dirty Man
Some Kind of Wonderful
I’ve Fallen in Love With You
I Had a Dream
All the King’s Horses
For the Love of You

Recommended: Yes