Stone Love | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio album by | ||||
Released | June 28, 2004 | |||
Studio |
| |||
Length | 54:43 | |||
Label | J | |||
Producer |
| |||
Angie Stone chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from Stone Love | ||||
|
Stone Love is the third studio album by American singer Angie Stone, released on June 28, 2004, by J Records. Originally conceived as a collaborative but introspective album which Stone planned to call Diary of a Soul Sister and was expected to feature female singers such as Gladys Knight and Chaka Khan, the album features a wide range of collaborators, including Warryn Campbell, Andreao Heard, Jazze Pha, and Missy Elliott. Duo Floetry, singers Betty Wright, Anthony Hamilton, and Snoop Dogg, as well as Stone's daughter Diamond and her former fiancée, rapper T.H.C., appear on Stone Love.
The album earned generally favorable reviews from music critics who noted its more upbeat, amorous nature and declared it another well-crafted effort from Stone. It reached number six on the Dutch Album Top 100 and entered the top twenty of the albums charts in Belgium, Finland, and Sweden. In the United States, it debuted at number 14 on the US Billboard 200. Stone Love produced three singles, including the Dance Club Songs chart-topper "I Wanna Thank Ya" as well as the Grammy Award-nominated song "U-Haul". Stone Love would mark Stone's final album with J Records.
As with her previous album, J Records consulted a wide ranger of producers and songwriters to work with Stone on her third solo album, including Prince Charles Alexander, Warryn Campbell, Andreao "Fanatic" Heard, Jazze Pha, and Harold Lilly as well as Missy Elliott and her producing partners Craig Brockman and Nisan Stewart. [4] Unlike Black Diamond (1999) and Mahogany Soul though, Stone was motivated to produce a more upbeat, joyous album following the success of the Hex Hector and Mac Quayle-produced remix of her 2002 single "Wish I Didn't Miss You", telling The Advocate in 2004: "I didn't just want to appeal to the broken-spirited or the brokenhearted [but] to people that were having joy in their life." [5]
Guest vocalists on Stone Love include rapper Snoop Dogg, Marsha Ambrosius and Natalie Stewart from English duo Floetry as well as singers Betty Wright and Anthony Hamilton which Stone cited as "natural partnerships". [6] Stone's daughter Diamond Stone appears on the Walter Millsap-produced "You're Gonna Get It", while her former fiancée, rapper T.H.C., appeared on "Karma". [7] On her decision to name the album Stone Love, Stone told The San Antonio Current : "[It] encapsulates everything about love. That term to me embodies love. I find that a title is as important as the album, it connects the project. There is motherly and sisterly love, man and woman love, but no love is stronger than Stone Love." [6]
Stone Love was preceded by its lead single "I Wanna Thank Ya". Produced by Jazze Pha, [8] it features guest vocals from rapper Snoop Dogg and samples from Deodato's song "Skatin'" (1980), Joyce Sims's "Come into My Life" (1987), DeBarge's "All This Love" (1982) and "Take Your Time (Do It Right)" (1980) from The S.O.S. Band. [8] Released by J Records as the album's lead single on May 3, 2004, [1] it reached the top ten of the UK R&B Singles chart and was Stone's second single to reach number one on the US Billboard 's Dance Club Songs chart. [9]
"U-Haul", chiefly produced by Missy Elliott, was released as the album's second single on July 26, 2004. [2] Apart from Elliott, singers Tweet and Betty Wright as well as Stone's daughter Diamond appear as backing vocalists on the song. [8] It reached number 19 on Billboard's Adult R&B Songs. [10] At the 47th Annual Grammy Awards, "U-Haul" was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. [11] Third and final single "Stay for a While", a duet with Anthony Hamilton, was issued on October 11, 2004. [3] It peaked at number 21 on the Adult R&B Songs chart. [10]
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 68/100 [12] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [13] |
Entertainment Weekly | B [14] |
The Guardian | [15] |
Los Angeles Times | [16] |
Rolling Stone | [17] |
Uncut | [18] |
Vibe | [19] |
Yahoo! Music | [20] |
Upon its release, Stone Love received critical acclaim from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album has an average score of 68, based on 13 critical reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews". [12]
AllMusic editor Rob Theakston felt that Stone Love "pleasantly picks up where Mahogany Soul left off, presenting a wiser, more even-keel Stone putting her best foot forward right from the album's onset." He called the album Stone's "most focused and accomplished full-length to date. A delightful album for a summer day, and an enjoyable listen from start to finish." [13] Gail Mitchell of Billboard found that "Stone's soulful, sassy vocals are once again the centerpiece of another well-crafted effort. Whether discoursing on love or heartbreak, the singer/songwriter/musician never leaves an emotional stone unturned." [21] Robert Sandall, writing for The Daily Telegraph , felt that Stone Love differs from Stone's first two albums "principally in its upbeat, amorous mood" and that it "intricately played, [merges] old-school arrangements gracefully with modern beats. Her deceptively powerful voice, beautifully layered and never over-used, is, as ever, world class." [22]
Entertainment Weekly 's David Browne wrote that Stone Love "sways pleasurably from start to finish, buoyed by floaty old-school R&B [...] It's easy to luxuriate in its cushy production, to nod along with the occasionally clever line, or to enjoy the duo Floetry's stern-voiced harmonies [...] Everything is balmy, modestly funky – and strangely devoid of outright passion." [14] Steve Hands from musicOMH critic found that Stone Love "neatly avoids the saccharine seasoning and horrendous filler that so bedevilled soul albums back in the day way before R&B got a healthy dose of hip-hop in its veins." He noted that while the album has its moments when you feel [Stone's] on automatic [and] it's a tad longer than it really needs to be," there "is more than enough here to wipe away the working day." [23] People magazine remarked that "on her righteous third album, Stone continues to carve out retro-'70s R&B rich in the tradition of greats like Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan and Betty Wright." [24]
Stone Love debuted at number 14 on the US Billboard 200 in the week of July 24, 2004, [25] selling 52,000 in its first week of release. [26] [27] The album also debuted and peaked at number four on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, [28] and marked Stone's first top ten entry on the Dutch Album Top 100, peaking at number six. [29] It also reached the top twenty of the albums charts in Belgium, Finland, and Sweden as well as on the R&B charts in Australia and the United Kingdom. [29] Billboard ranked it 89th on its US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums year-end listing. [30]
The following year, Stone asked for and was granted a release from J Records. [31] In 2007, after signing with Stax Records, she opened up about the label change. Speaking with The Baltimore Sun , Stone said: "Originally, that album was called Diary of a Soul Sister. It was gonna be set up with me working with icons like Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan, Roberta Flack, Natalie Cole... But Alicia Keys was gonna use the title The Diary of Alicia Keys . So I was asked [by label founder Clive Davis] to change my concept. The focus was derailed on the last album, and I asked to be released after that." [31] [32] In his 2013 autobiography The Soundtrack of My Life, Davis contradicted Stone's impression that she had been treated unfavorably compared to Keys. [4]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Stoned Love (Intro)" |
|
| 0:35 |
2. | "I Wanna Thank Ya" (featuring Snoop Dogg) | Jazze Pha | 3:47 | |
3. | "My Man" (featuring Floetry) |
|
| 4:01 |
4. | "U-Haul" |
| 3:56 | |
5. | "Stay for a While" (featuring Anthony Hamilton) |
|
| 4:01 |
6. | "Lovers' Ghetto" |
|
| 4:05 |
7. | "Little Bit of This, Little Bit of That... (Interlude)" |
| 0:25 | |
8. | "You're Gonna Get It" (featuring Diamond Stone) |
| Walter (DJ Walt) Millsap III | 4:15 |
9. | "Come Home (Live with Me)" |
| Supa Ugly K-Love | 3:57 |
10. | "You Don't Love Me" |
|
| 3:34 |
11. | "Remy Red" |
|
| 3:50 |
12. | "That Kind of Love" (featuring Betty Wright) |
|
| 3:52 |
13. | "Touch It (Interlude)" |
| 1:20 | |
14. | "Cinderella Ballin'" |
|
| 4:35 |
15. | "Karma" (featuring T.H.C.) |
|
| 4:42 |
16. | "Wherever You Are (Outro)" | Stone |
| 0:35 |
17. | "I Wanna Thank Ya" (No Rap) |
| Jazze Pha | 3:13 |
Notes
Sample credits
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Stone Love. [8]
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
|
Region | Date | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
United Kingdom | June 28, 2004 | Arista | [47] |
France | July 5, 2004 | BMG | [48] |
Germany | [49] | ||
United States | July 6, 2004 | J | [21] |
Australia | July 16, 2004 | BMG | [50] |
Japan | July 21, 2004 | [51] |
The Heat is the third studio album by American singer Toni Braxton, released on April 25, 2000, by LaFace Records. The album marked Braxton's departure from her ballads in favor of a more urban sound. Most of the songs were written and produced by Braxton and her husband Keri Lewis ; two ballads were penned by Diane Warren, and collaborations featured rappers Dr. Dre and Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes.
Angela Laverne Brown, known professionally as Angie Stone, is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and record producer. She rose to fame in the late 1970s as member of the hip hop trio the Sequence. In the early 1990s, she became a member of the R&B trio Vertical Hold. Stone then signed with Arista Records to release her debut solo album Black Diamond (1999), which received gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and spawned the single "No More Rain ".
Worldwide Underground is the third studio album by American singer Erykah Badu, released September 16, 2003, by Motown Records. Recording sessions for the album took place during 2003, following Badu's period of writer's block, and her performances during the Frustrated Artist Tour. Production was handled primarily by the production group Freakquency , consisting of Badu, Rashad Smith, James Poyser, and RC Williams. Prominently influenced by old-school 1970s and 80s hip hop, soul, R&B and funk elements, the album features an unconventional musical structure; the songwriting took a path of somewhat less subliminal, metaphorical lyrics than Badu’s previous work, expressing more lighthearted feelings, instead. The album’s content mainly focused on the general state of hip hop culture, reminiscing on good times, friends, partying, young love, “hood life”, and some references to gang culture. The album features appearances from artists Dead Prez, Common, Queen Latifah, Bahamadia, and singer Angie Stone.
Better Dayz is the eighth studio album and fourth posthumous album by the late American rapper 2Pac, and is his last to be a double-album.
"Goodies" is the debut single by American singer Ciara featuring rapper and Jive recording artist Petey Pablo for Ciara's debut studio album of the same name. The song was released as the album's lead single on June 8, 2004, through LaFace Records. It was written by Ciara, Sean Garrett, LeMarquis Jefferson, and Craig Love, and Lil Jon the song's producer. The song was recorded as an answer song to the featured performer's hit single, "Freek-a-Leek." The song's lead woman refuses men's sexual advances, proclaiming that they will not get her "goodies" because "they stay in the jar."
Free Yourself is the debut studio album by American singer Fantasia, released by on November 23, 2004. After winning American Idol, Fantasia signed to J Records with 19 Entertainment and began recording her debut album, working with a variety of writers and producers, including Louis Biancaniello, Craig Brockman, Bryan-Michael Cox, Clive Davis, Jermaine Dupri, Missy Elliott, Sean Garrett, Jazze Pha, Darkchild, Harold Lilly, Ric Rude, Soulshock & Karlin, The Underdogs, Sam Watters and Nigel Wright.
"1, 2 Step" is a song by American singer Ciara featuring American rapper Missy Elliott. Written alongside producer Jazze Pha, it was released on November 1, 2004, as the second single of the former's debut studio album, Goodies. It peaked within the top 10 of the charts in several countries worldwide, including Germany, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. In the United States, the song peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed there for seven weeks. The song is heavily inspired by 1980s electro music production. Throughout the song, Ciara gives a description of how the song's beat feels as she exhorts party-goers to dance to the music. "1, 2 Step" was ranked 59th on Billboard's Top 100 Songs of the 2000s.
Goodies is the debut studio album by American singer Ciara. It was released on September 28, 2004, via Jazze Pha's Sho'nuff Records and LaFace Records. After writing songs for several established acts, Ciara's talents were noticed by Jazze Pha, and she began to work on what became Goodies. The album's conception came through the title track, produced by Lil Jon and created as a female crunk counterpart to other singles produced by Lil Jon such as Usher's "Yeah!" and Petey Pablo's "Freek-a-Leek". Ciara worked with additional writers and producers on the album, including Jazze Pha, Bangladesh, R. Kelly, Johntá Austin, Sean Garrett, and Keri Hilson, among others.
This Is Not a Test! is the fifth studio album by American rapper Missy Elliott, released by The Goldmind Inc. and Elektra Records on November 25, 2003, in the United States. It was primarily produced by Timbaland, with additional production from Craig Brockman, Nisan Stewart and Elliott herself.
3D is the fourth studio album by American girl group TLC, released on October 10, 2002, by Arista Records. Recorded from May 2001 to July 2002, much of the album was finalized after the death of member Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, with her unreleased material that she had recorded for her solo albums Supernova and N.I.N.A. being reworked into new songs. Remaining group members Rozonda Thomas and Tionne Watkins enlisted Dallas Austin, Babyface, Rodney Jerkins, the Neptunes, Raphael Saadiq, Missy Elliott and Timbaland to work on the album.
Glamorest Life is the third studio album by American rapper Trina. It was released on October 4, 2005, through Slip-N-Slide/Atlantic Records. Recording sessions took place at Studio Center, The Record Room and Circle House Studios in Miami. Production was handled by Bigg D, Cool & Dre, Jim Jonsin, Mannie Fresh, Money Mark Diggla, Signature, Briss, Jazze Pha, KLC, Needlz and Nick "Fury" Loftin. It features guest appearances from Dre, CO, Duece Poppito, Jazze Pha, Kelly Rowland, Lil Scrappy, Lil Wayne, Mannie Fresh, Money Mark Diggla, Plies, Rick Ross, Snoop Dogg, T.I., Trey Songz and Trick Daddy.
The People vs. is the debut solo studio album by American rapper Trick Trick. It was released on December 27, 2005 via WonderBoy Entertainment/Motown. Recording sessions took place at Batcave, at 54 Sound in Detroit, at X-Labs, at Doppler Studios in Atlanta, at Area 51, Brooklyn, and at Studio 612 in Bealeton, Virginia. Production was handled by Eminem, Mr. Porter, Jazze Pha and Trick Trick himself. It features guest appearances from his brother and Goon Sqwad bandmate Diezel, one-half of D12 members, Miz Korona, Obie Trice and Jazze Pha. The album peaked at number 115 on the Billboard 200. It spawned one single and music video for "Welcome 2 Detroit".
It's Already Written is the only studio album by American contemporary R&B singer Houston. It was released by Capitol Records on August 10, 2004 in the United States. Production was handled by Ralph B. Stacy, Roy "Royalty" Hamilton, Ben Daka, Blaze Da Track, Burton Paul, Jazze Pha, Michael Angelo Saulsberry, Mischke Butler, Soulshock and Karlin, The Trak Starz and The Underdogs. It's Already Written features guest appearances from Chingy, Don Yute, I-20, Jazze Pha, LeToya and Nate Dogg.
Black Diamond is the debut studio album by American singer Angie Stone. It was released on September 28, 1999, by Arista Records. The album is named after Stone's then-teenaged daughter Diamond Ti'ara.
The Id is the second studio album by American singer and songwriter Macy Gray. It was released on September 17, 2001, by Epic Records. The album was not as commercially successful as its predecessor, On How Life Is, in the United States, where it debuted at number 11 on the Billboard 200 with 93,000 copies sold in its first week. As of January 2004, it had sold 593,000 copies in the US. Elsewhere, The Id topped the charts in the United Kingdom and Denmark, while reaching the top five in Australia, Italy, and Switzerland.
Married to the Game is the fifteenth studio album by American rapper Too Short. It was released on November 4, 2003 through Jive Records, making it his 12th album on the label. Recording sessions took place at The Hit Factory Criteria and Circle House Studios in Miami, The Enterprise in Burbank, Sound On Sound Recording in New York, Stankonia Recording in Atlanta and Westlake Audio in Los Angeles. Production was handled by Dez, Lil Jon, Ant Banks, and Jazze Pha, with Too $hort serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Cutty Cartel, Devin the Dude, Jagged Edge, Jazze Pha, Lil' Jon & the East Side Boyz, Noreaga, Oobie and Petey Pablo. The album peaked at number 49 on the Billboard 200 and number 7 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States. Its lead single, "Shake That Monkey", made it to number 84 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 56 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. The album's second single, "Choosin'", reached number 61 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.
Ciara: The Evolution is the second studio album by American singer Ciara, released on December 5, 2006, by LaFace Records. The album is separated into five sections, with each showcasing a different side of Ciara's artistry. The first features crunk&B and uptempo records, which mainly deal with feminine independence, while its successor, entitled The Evolution of Music features ballads dealing with the positives and struggles of love. The Evolution of Dance features dance tracks, The Evolution of Fashion deals with self-expression, while the last, entitled The Evolution of C, features tracks that discuss how Ciara has evolved as a person since the start of her career.
Mahogany Soul is the second studio album by American singer Angie Stone. It was first released in the United States on October 16, 2001, by J Records. In the US, the album sold 71,000 copies in its first week of release. The album spawned five singles: "Brotha", "Brotha Part II", "Wish I Didn't Miss You", "More Than a Woman", and "Bottles & Cans".
Unexpected is the fifth studio album by American singer Angie Stone. It was released by Stax Records on November 23, 2009 in the United States. Conceived following the death of her father, Stone's spiritual anchor and creative mentor, the album marked a breakaway from the neo soul elements on Stone's first four studio efforts, taking her work further into the dance pop, funk, and contemporary R&B genres. As a result, Unexpected incorporates more upbeat material, produced by Jazze Pha, among others.
"I Wanna Thank Ya" is a song by American singer Angie Stone. It was produced by Jazze Pha for her third studio album Stone Love (2004) and features guest vocals from rapper Snoop Dogg. An uptempo R&B and neo soul track with heavy funk and disco elements, it samples from Deodato's song "Skatin'" (1980), Joyce Sims's "Come into My Life" (1987), DeBarge's "All This Love" (1982), and the S.O.S. Band's "Take Your Time " (1980). Released as the album's lead single, it became a top ten hit on the UK R&B chart, while it reached number-one on the US Billboard Dance Club Songs chart.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)