This came out in 2004 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
Not too long ago, Angie Stone was touted as the next queen of hip-hop soul.
Well, that hasn’t come to pass — yet. But as her latest disc proves, that situation has more to do with marketing than music. On the embraceable Stone Love, Angie baby turns the lights low and seduces you with another set of sultry slow-grind soul and jazz-piano boudoir funk, using her rich, soul-kiss contralto as a most potent aphrodisiac. Even better, she doesn’t turn you off with cliche Idol-style vocal histrionics or faux gangsta-bitch poses. After all, that’s not behaviour that befits a queen.
