Joss Stone: Moving from simply singing the songs to writing them as well

The Devon teenager turned multi-million-selling mega-voiced soul artiste debuted tracks from her new album Introducing Joss Stone in an exclusive AOL Session.

Despite being only 19, Joss already has two albums under her belt, 2003's cover of vintage soul standards, Soul Sessions, followed swiftly by 2004's Mind, Body And Soul. But it's only now, with Introducing... that Ms. Stone finally feels she's revealing her true self: This is the first album I've made that I really feel is truly me she says.

Gone is the shy, blonde Joss of yore, and in her place is a chatty, confident ball of energy, resplendent in pink curls, purple fishnet tights and clashing colours (she's kept with the barefoot theme). She refers to everyone at the Session as honey' or sweetheart, makes tea for all and sundry and bounces jokes off her backing band of notable musicians, including producer, collaborator and guitarist/bassist on Introducing, Raphael Saadiq, and hip-hop special guest star, Common who dueted with Joss on two tracks.

Stone and Saadiq spent two months in the Bahamas writing material for the record, including a tribute to Joss's first love, Music, for which she managed the impressive feat of persuading her idol Lauryn Hill to contribute vocals. Other new tracks, Tell Me 'Bout It, the up-beat first single with a naughty twinkle in its eye, Tell Me What We Gonna Do Now and The Light are also performed along with Right To Be Wrong from Mind, Body And Soul.

The session takes place in an appropriately Joss-inspired bohemian set of scattered rugs and purple drapes, where Joss's belief and enjoyment in the songs are apparent and infectious. I love the songs. I love the strings. I love the bass. I love the people on it. I love the energy that surrounds it. I love everything about it, man, and that's a first.

Watch Tell Me What We Gonna Do Now (feat. Common), Right To Be Wrong, Tell Me 'Bout It, Music, The Light (feat. Common) and a special look behind the scenes.

- Download Joss Stone with iTunes
- Visit her official website
- Search: Joss Stone

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