Live on the Levee

Angie Stone first tasted success on the pop-music charts in 1980, when she was a member of the proto-hip-hop trio The Sequence. But it’s been the past ten years that have made her a star, as her solo recordings have been among the most celebrated of the modern neo-soul movement. Working with deep, sultry grooves built on either smartly chosen samples or simply talented musicians, Stone’s voice floats in on waves seduction. Her 2007 album, “The Art of Love & War,” is as gorgeous as any she’s done — all those backing vocals, the syncopated, sinuous rhythms and Stone’s vocals chock full of conviction and emotional honesty. (Steve Pick)