The Soul Sessions Vol. 2 — Joss Stone's 2012 soul album

Musical approach and content

The album is characterized by its focus on soul standards and reinterpretations rather than original compositions. Arrangements emphasize warm, analog-sounding instrumentation—horns, electric piano, organ and vintage-style rhythm sections—to support Stone's expressive, gritty vocal delivery. Tracks aim for emotional directness, often favoring live-feel performances and sparse production choices that foreground the singer's voice.

Rather than a tribute project, the release blends faithful homage with modern touches. The material highlights the continuity between mid-20th-century soul traditions and 21st-century pop-soul sensibilities, making the record accessible to longtime soul fans and newer listeners alike.

Context and reception

Coming nearly a decade after the original Soul Sessions that helped launch Stone's international career, Vol. 2 was framed as a return to roots. Critics generally noted the ambition of reworking classic material and the confidence of Stone's performances; responses ranged from praise for vocal nuance to critiques about predictability in song selection. The album occupies a distinctive place in her discography as a deliberate reconnection with the genre that shaped her early image.

Notable facts

• Released 20 July 2012 on S-Curve Records and Stone'd Records.
• Marketed as a sequel to the 2003 Soul Sessions collection.
• Emphasizes vintage soul arrangements and live-feel recording techniques.

As a project, The Soul Sessions Vol. 2 underscores Stone's ongoing interest in classic soul repertoire and her effort to balance reverence for the past with contemporary artistic identity.