Joss Stone

Potent, earthy, full of feeling . . . the voice says Memphis, Muscle Shoals, Chicago, or Detroit, definitely a healthy spell in the Sunday choir, and a whole lotta livin’ and lovin’ under the bridge. But voices can be deceiving: dig bluesy belter Joss Stone, born in England and all of 16 when her 2003 debut, supported by R&B heavyweights like Betty Wright and the Roots, revealed her rare talent to the world. Back then, the emphasis was on covers — an ultra-groovy “Some Kind of Wonderful,” a super-slinky “Fell In Love With a Boy” — but soon enough, serious songwriting skills bubbled up alongside an ambition to push boundaries. The result? The retro-funk liberation of “Free Me,” the smoky nocturnal spell of “Drive All Night,” and the slow-jam seduction of “Spoiled.” Not to mention our Joss Stone Essentials spotlighting everything from dance-floor party starters (“You Had Me”) to smitten soul-pop swingers (“Somehow”) and grown-up, rock-edged searchers (“Karma”).