JOSS STONE

Stone was born in Kent, England, and spent her teenage years in Devon. She grew up listening to a wide variety of music including R&B and soul, and as a result developed a soulful style of singing like her idols. At the age of thirteen she won a spot on the British talent show 'Star for a Night', and her rendition of Donna Summer's "On the Radio" left the audience speechless. This blonde, giggly teenager had the voice of a grown woman, and she was immediately signed up by American record company executive Steve Greenberg of S-Curve Records.

But instead of moulding her into yet another Britney-aping pop princess as most would have expected, Greenburg decided that Stone was destined for greater things. He encouraged her to go down the soul root, and recognizing her potential, hired Miami soul legend Betty Wright to mentor her. By 2002 she had flown out to Miami and begun work on her debut album, with a whole host of legendary soul musicians, including the likes of Wright, Benny Latimore, Timmy Thomas, and Little Beaver.

Released in September 2003, 'The Soul Sessions' consisting of covers of little known soul tracks, reached the top five in the UK Album Chart, made the top forty of the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, and went on to selling more than two million copies worldwide. The lead single, "Fell in Love with a Boy", which was a reworking of The White Stripes' 2001 "Fell in Love with a Girl", reached the top twenty of the UK Singles Chart, and second single, "Super Duper Love", followed in it's tracks.

Stone's second album – this time with original songs – 'Mind, Body & Soul', appeared in September 2004. Joss co-wrote most of the 14 songs, and continued in her quest to reinvent soul music, but this time injected some contemporary sass and verve into the classic sound. "The Soul Sessions" proved that the then 16 year-old girl could sing. But could she write? Could she deliver future classics, not just revive old ones? "Mind Body & Soul" went a long way to answering many of those questions, and most of them with a resounding 'Yes'.

The album proved to be an even bigger success than her first album, as it debuted at number one in the UK (breaking the record for the youngest female ever to top the UK Albums Chart), and just missed the top ten of the U.S. Billboard 200, after peaking at number eleven. The lead single, "You Had Me", became her first top ten hit in the UK, and "Don't Ya Wanna Ride" hit the top twenty.

In February 2005, Stone was nominated for three Brit Awards, of which she won two – "British Female Solo Artist" and "British Urban Act", and she also received three nominations at the 2005 Grammy Awards – "Best New Artist", "Best Female Pop Vocal Performance" for "You Had Me", and "Best Pop Vocal Album" for 'Mind, Body & Soul'.

In July 2005, Stone performed at the Live 8 concert in London, and in February 2006, she joined Stevie Wonder, India Arie, and John Legend at the Super Bowl XL pre-game show in performing a medley of Wonder's hits. Three days later, on 8 February, she helped perform a medley of hits by the reclusive singer Sly Stone, on the night of the 2006 Grammy Awards.

And now she is back with her third studio album, 'Introducing Joss Stone'. Described as "an electrifying mix of warm vintage soul, '70s-style R&B, Motown girl-group harmonies, and hip hop grooves", the album involves production by Raphael Saadig, and features collaborations with Lauryn Hill, Novel, and Common. So join us as we look forward to the album and welcome her return by making her our long overdue Artist Of The Week.

HH