Her reputation rests on her being the modern day Aretha Franklin, for being signed to the recently re-launched Stax Records, and for being able to produce a come back album in Marvin’s Room (Marvin Gaye’s former studio on Sunset Blvd, in Los Angeles).

She has collaborated with Betty Wright on her album’s lead single ‘Baby’. And with others ranging from Chino featured on ‘Half A Chance’, to James Ingram featured on ‘My People’ and Pauletta Washington featured on ‘Happy Being Me’.

Unquestionably, Angie Stone deserves her ‘soul’ tag as she always makes soul history with her albums, and there are big plans for her next release too. With a voice like Angie Stone has, she has every right to stake her claim to greatness but this particular album’s production can sound bland at times.

Songs like ‘Take Everything In’ are not the usual Angie Stone sound. And fans of her previous — and legendary — albums: Black Diamond and Mahogany Soul, may find that The Art & Love Of War fails to reach that mark.

She has begun on a complete change of direction and it will be interesting to see what comes of it.