This is the debut album 'The Soul Sessions' by Joss Stone (2003). This album was released when she was just 16 but her classic, soulful vocals way beyond her years quickly ensured the albums success both critically and commercially (it went multi-platinum). The album cover features a picture of Stone obstructed by and singing into a recording studio microphone, denoting that it is her voice and music that is the USP and there is no need for her to be objectified. The whole style of the artwork, front and back, is designed to look very retro- the font on the track listing is that of a jukebox and the front features a gawdy style 60's type face synonymous with the era. Visually, the designers seem to have been inspired by other famous albums of the soul genre. The monochromatic purple theme (which was continued on her later album artwork) is similar to that of Otis Redding's album (pictured right). The obstructed shot is reminiscent of Sam Cooke's and the focus on her eye bares an uncanny resemblance to Mavis Staples' Only For The Lonely. Stone's record label looked to the past to promote a contemporary artist with a classic voice and the meeting of the two resulted in huge marketability coupling with her songs huge playability ensuring lucrative success.
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