Mind Body & Soul (Special Edition)

iTunes Review

With Mind, Body & Soul, British teen sensation Joss Stone picks up where her debut, The Soul Sessions, left off, but this time with more polish and less grit. Employing the slick, clean production more associated with neo-R&B and hip-hop than the classic soul era, Stone is searching for her own sound and assuming more control over the material. Mind, Body & Soul features mostly original songs penned by Stone (with the exception of “Spoiled” which was co-written by legendary Motown songwriters Lamont and Beau Dozier) that are catchy, if not particularly deep lyrically. The tunes primarily occupy the mid-tempo range, but she does offer several smoky, sultry ballads, complete with a chorus of backup singers, and even a light reggae number, “Less is More.” Her remarkable voice is the focus here, and though she does show off at times, her pipes remain a thing of wonder. Just 17 when this was recorded, she’s loaded with talent and potential and it should be interesting to hear which direction her muse--or the business--takes her. This special edition includes three new songs, including a version of the Beach Boys’ “God Only Knows” and a duet with Elton John, “Calling it Christmas.”