Stone Cold Angie

Soul singer Angie Stone has received mixed reviews in the mighty music media for her newest album "Stone Love." This does not comes as a surprise. The album is an uninspired blend of soul, R&B and even rap. After first listen, you immediately wonder what happened to the wonderful nu-soul voice that instantly captured listeners on her debut "Black Diamond."

This gem needs to roughen up a bit. Stone should emphasize her sublime voice instead of frilly productions and odd collaborations (Snoop Dogg makes a cameo appearance, yawn). She temporarily bounces back to greatness with the help of the talented British duo Floetry (on "My Man") and Anthony Hamilton (on "Stay For A While").

In this week's issue of the Advocate, Stone talks about the rumors that she supposedly made anti-gay remarks at a concert in 2002. The controversy was quickly forgotten after she performed the club anthem "I Wish I Didn't Miss You" at New York's gay pride that year. "I’ve learned over the years that people are people, and the thing that I love is, I’m accepted on all fronts," she told the Advocate. How wonderful.

It is clear that Stone is lacking the originality in words and music that once made her a star. Singers like Van Hunt, Floetry and Ricky Fante now carry the nu-soul torch that Stone proudly lit five years ago.