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The Art of Love & War  >>

Mahogany Soul  >>

Mahogany Soul perfectly describes the rich, deep, and lived-in music Angie Stone makes. This veteran singer/songwriter, who was one-third of rap trio Sequence, led acid-jazz combo Vertical Hold, and had a major hand in creating D'Angelo's Brown Sugar, follows up 1999's critically acclaimed Black Diamond with another collection of grown-up R&B that's sexy, satisfying, and smart. Along with (wo)manning the helm herself, Stone links up with like-minded visionaries. Chief among them are Raphael Saadiq, who produced the single "Brotha" which moves with a purposeful, rugged, old-soul swagger, and Andrea Martin, co-producer with Swizz Beatz on the vibrant and aching "Wish I Didn't Miss You" which features a dope "Backstabbers" loop and Stone's husky vocals. At 17 cuts, there's a bit of drag, but not enough to deter you from Stone's wise and determined ease, and on the gritty "Twenty Dollars" Stone gives all those R&B princesses something to really chew on. --Amy Linden

Stone Love  >>

It's been five years since Angie Stone's debut and her third album, Stone Love, is still taking the neo-soul approach with dabbles in hip-hop, funk and classic soul from throughout the years. The big song is "I Wanna Thank Ya", a funky, up-tempo hip-hop break that sees Stone dueting with Snoop Dogg--the production is a fresh take on the old skool sound while Stone's melody has a breezy disco-soul vibe. "Stay For a While" with Anthony Hamilton and "You Don't Love Me" are two highlights from the selection of silky smooth numbers where the warmth in Stone's voice is enhanced by the subtle arrangements. There are some poppier moments in "My Man" and "Lover's Ghetto" where the sound is influenced by the decadence of 80s soul, best summed up as a hybrid of Luther Vandross and Chaka Khan.

Stone Love is another great album for both soul lovers and people who like their pop with a bit of soul in it. There is very little filler and above all, with Angie Stone's experiments in all things urban, it never gets repetitive or boring. --Georgina Collins

Black Diamond  >>

There has been a lot of attention given to the so-called neo-soul sound, most of it focused on male artists. So how come the folks making the best records are women? One spin of ex-Vertical Hold leader Angie Stone's solo debut and it is clear you are listening to a grown-up woman, not some kid with stars in her eyes who is dictated to by a producer or three. No, the deeply felt grooves and offhand sexiness that make Black Diamond sparkle are things that can only come when you've lived a little. Like Macy Gray's On How Life Is and N'dea Davenport's (criminally ignored) self-titled disc, this is the wondrous sound a woman makes when she's free to create her own music but smart enough to keep the status quo satisfied. On tracks like the smoky "Green Grass Vapors" and "Everyday", Stone, with her rich Gladys Knight-like voice and finger-popping élan, conjures up soul's past without making herself a prisoner of it. Not surprisingly for this key collaborator on D'Angelo's Brown Sugar, Stone kicks a laid-back, fluid vibe, but her clear tone and off-kilter way with a melody make you sit up and pay attention. --Amy Linden

Stone Hits: the Very Best of Angie Stone  >>

Life Goes On  >>

Stone Hits: The Very Best of Angie Stone  >>

Stone Hits: The Very Best  >>

Life Story  >>

Wish I Didnt Miss Yo  >>