CD Review

Joss Stone may only be 16 years old, but with radiating pipes that can jump start a dead battery in the dead of winter, age is a mere afterthought on her debut - The Soul Sessions. Displaying the explosive anguish of Aretha Franklin, this young blonde from the Southwest of England surely hits the sweet spot, while taking the listener back to the early 70s’ era of Motown and adding her own 21st century spin. Watch out Mariah and Christina.

With production help from soul singer Betty Wright, Stone avoids the MTV mall culture pop havoc and pours a style that brews of clever soul, gospel and R &B. Stone covers the White Stripes "Fell in Love With A Girl" into her own creative spin – dosing the familiar hard rocker with a subdued splash of soul train. Seasoned R&B vets Timmy Thomas, Latimore and Little Beaver lay the rhythm foundation, while Stone belts the emotive high notes. Visiting familiar favorites "Some Kind of Wonderful" to "Super Duper Love," Stone revisits timeless nuggets while managing to keep it all fresh. Listeners with a sweet spot for Motown will have no problem digging The Soul Sessions, a true showcase for this next blue eyed soul diva. Watch out Dusty Springfield.