Angie Stone - Stone Love (LP) M

Angie Stone doesn't dabble in anything, but immerses herself deeply in the most soulful musical waters. Stone's songs are as assertive as Mary J. Blige, as directly catchy as anything by Beyonce, and as unpredictable and poetic as Jill Scott. On her third record, STONE LOVE, Stone has truly settled into her groove with a consistently engaging funk-pop collection.
STONE LOVE opens in low-key fashion with a simple, light Jazze Pha production called "I Wanna Thank Ya," which slides into a Snoop Dogg guest rap, before Stone announces the record as truly her own with the unforgettable and smoothly infectious "My Man." The wronged woman showing the door to a cheating man is one of the most thoroughly explored soul themes, but the sly "U-Haul" is one of the finest songs of the sort. On "Stay for a While," Anthony Hamilton's dark, ductile tenor provides the perfect foil, combining with Stone's vocals in the sexiest of duets. With the sweetest and strongest of passions flowing throughout, STONE LOVE furthers Stone's reputation as an assured soul voice.

• Format: CD
• Genre: R&B