After many years of being behind the scenes in the music business as a songwriter, background singer, and front woman of the critically acclaimed but now defunct R&B group Vertical Hold, Angie Stone shines like a star on her debut CD "Black Diamond".

It is a joy to finally hear true R&B music that you can groove to without all of the booty-slaps, hoochie references and nasty lyrics that most artists today believe are necessary. Miss Stone bares her soul on this album with beautiful lyrics and downright funky rhythms.

Even though she samples from Gladys Knight on "No More Rain (In This Cloud)", she molds the song around lush harmonies and utilizes the sample to great effect. Certain rappers/producers should take note: This is how you sample a song!

"Life Story", "Everyday" and "Bone 2 Pick" are also strong cuts which all show how she can mix elements of old school with new school with astounding ease and effect. She pays tribute to legends like Stevie Wonder and Gladys Knight while keeping up with contemporaries Lauryn Hill and D'Angelo.

This is definitely a CD that you do not want to miss out on. A Classic!

The first time that I heard Angie Stone's song, NO MORE RAIN, I was automatically drawn to her soulful, breathtaking, and beautiful lyrics and voice. It was that song that drove me to buy her album, not knowing how her other songs would sound. I did have a feeling inside, though, that it would be a good album and I was right. While listening to her songs, it just gives you a beautiful, relaxed feeling on the inside with her soulful, head bopping beats. Her voice is just amazing and I would recommend this album for everyone to own.

If there is one Soul or R&B album you have to get this year make it this one by Angie Stone. This album would have you listening to it over and over and over and over again. I not going to single out any particular track because they are all very good. Most people might have heard the hit single "Life Story", like them this was the track that got me to notice Angie Stone for the first time. So when I checked out the reviews I was impressed by what other people said about the album, so I quickly went out and bought it. Well this album will have you experience real soul music the way it is suppose to. This is the bomb!!! A five star.

This CD is worth any amount of money you pay for it. Yes, she may have snatched a few beats from a couple of originaters, but think about it, WHO HASN'T! Artists of today can't do what R&B creators did back in the day. They can't make there own beats and create ther songs without some type of influence. Angie Stone's "Black Diamond" is one of my favorite CDs because it is mellow and smooth. Every song in the CD has a beat to it that you could just nod to. To be honest, at first I really didn't like this CD. But as I listen to it more often, I began to feel the beats. Anyways, what I am trying to say is, is that if you haven't purchased this CD yet, you need to do so now.

When I first purchased Black Diamond, I had heard "no more rain" & loved it! The Gladys Knight sample was nice! I was intrigued by the clarity & depth of Angie's voice & wanted more. WHen I bought the cd, I put it in & just let it play & you cannot do that with most of the R&B out today. Too many fillers, skits & plain garbage. I was very pleased with Black Diamond & have recommended it to many many people. IT AS A WHOLE IS A VERY BOLD STATEMENT OF ARTISTIC FREEDOM & INDEPENDENCE ALONG WITH SOME FEMINIST EMPOWERMENT, SOUTHERN CHARM AS WELL AS OLD-SCHOOL, FUNKY VOCAL BLESSINGS. GO COP THIS CD!