reviewed by Shardae Jobson
Colour Me Free! by Joss Stone is her fourth album and thus far the grandest of her career. Just like Gaga, Stone belongs in a different era, for her, the 1970s soul movement (she even won a Grammy for a Sly Stone remake), but as she is a part the population that is Generation Y, listening to her music in 2010 doesn't make it any less enjoyable. From the first song in, the album doesn't let go of its terrific harmonies that flesh out the personal lyrics.
At only twenty-two years old (damn!), Stone has such an amazingly husky, soprano voice, in return has made her music wiser than her age promises, but there is never a twinge of arrogance. Stone is just telling her stories as they are, and we're all ears with a voice that sensual.
Colour Me Free! was released back in late fall of '09 to little promotion, though it did make the American Billboard Top Ten albums the following week. There had been news that she was having problems with her record label, the usual artist vs. corporation, which of couse included the kind of music she wanted to release. As past instances have showed us, this usually means the music waiting for us, is possibly some of their most accomplished work, such as Fiona Apple's Extradionary Machine, luckily, despite the issues, Colour Me Free! was released, and yes, it is an under the radar treat.
The album is inviting and truthful, and the tracks seamlessly work into each other. The featured artists (Sheila E., Nas, Jeff Beck) don't take away from Stone but add to the luminously steady feel of her work. Her fourth release is the kind of album that really lifts you up and it's not even trying.
The first track "Free Me" is Janis Joplin reincarnated and prepares us for the greatness ahead. "Could Have Been You" is perfect for moving on in relationships but aware that what could have been didn't have to be in the past. This song for some reason recalls a light, rainy day since it's one of the more melancholy songs here. It's like the female perspective of "You're Beautiful". Maybe this was what the ex-girlfriend would have thought that fateful day if she saw James Blunt from the corner of her eye in that metro station.
"4 and 20" is quite lovely, but the track before it, "Lady", is seductively self-aware of the hard place a girl is in when wanting to give into intimacy--but at her own discretion. The beats of this song are very lounge-esque and lyrics are the prelude to a romantic, but very naughty short novel. Stone's voice in comparing "Free Me" and "Lady" goes from wistful to sounding like the personification of coquettish eyelash batting (even at her young woman age). The chorus doesn't even have much lyrics except for "But I'm trying to keep my lady" before and after the ooohs and yeahhs which seem to represent the contemplation of what to do when you want to be the woman that everyone hears roar, but must keep her self-respect in that she's doing what she wants to do. Joss Stone does Women's Liberation right!
Another notable track is "Governmentalist" and while the rap verse by Nas is one of his weakest rhymes recently (just because it sounds like he did it last minute), is persuasive and social commentary for those who aren't knee deep in politics but know what's going on. Stone's voice sounds particulary expressive here.
A review of Colour Me Free! wouldn't be complete without mentioning the beauty of "You Got the Love". Throughout the song, Stone's give off Michael Jackson, which makes the song feel like a B-side, or bonus track from Off the Wall or even a Jacksons album. In light of first anniversary of his death coming this year, this audible reflection is poignant. The track is clearly Gospel inspired and is not cheesy, not overboard, but fantastic.
The song that has brought Stone back a little limelight in the U.S. is the duet "Stalemate" with Jamie Hartman. It's a lovesick jam and it's interesting to hear Stone sing a mid-tempo duet, as she has collaborated with artists before, but not usually in this classic format. Hartman has a kind of scratchy, whiny voice, but eventually his vocals delve right into it. This song was performed with heart on The Wendy Williams Show in March and is another great one off the album.
Overall, Joss Stone is back, even if her return is bit quieter than when Introducing Joss Stone came out in 2007. Let's hope she tours soon for this albums as the cuts here are too good to be missed. Joss Stone has been creating the kind of deep music a twentysomething is definitely capable of, and that Christina Aguilera still thinks she is conveying when she continues to sing stupid lines like "I'm kissing on the boys and the girls" on her new single "Not Myself Tonight". Maybe Aguilera should take note, and stick with songs that really have something to say, as she too has an admirable vocal talent, and sounds better that way. Stone has continued her streak of soul music for the millennium that's both accesible and passionate, and because she is now coloured free, she made one of the most underrated albums of 2009, and a talent to be re-introduced to. Here's hoping it gets more recognition, or at least the fans get a copy real soon.
This album gets: three stars and half stars
original post written with peace, love and hair grease
Live performance of "Stalemate" with Hartman, and interview, on The Wendy Williams Show
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