With the success of her previous hit single, {&"Wish I Didn't Miss You,"} {$Angie Stone} went from being trapped in a pack of {\neo-soul} divas going straight to the bargain bin to being one of the first singers off the tip of the tongue when the word "{\neo-soul}" was uttered. After nearly a two-year absence, {^Stone Love} pleasantly picks up where {^Mahogany Soul} left off, presenting a wiser, more even-keel {$Stone} putting her best foot forward right from the album's onset. The useless guest appearance of the tired {$Snoop Dogg} and his "izzle" façade does very little to improve the quality of the lead single, {&"I Wanna Thank Ya"} -- if anything, it detracts from the song's overall atmosphere with constant interruptions that do nothing but serve as reminders that {$the Dogg} is not having one of his better days (check out the version at the end without {$Snoop}'s {\rap} for a contrast). That said, guest appearances by {$Floetry} and {$Betty Wright} help {^Stone Love} pick up steam, and an exceptional performance by {$Anthony Hamilton} on {&"Stay for a While"} invokes muses present during the recording of {$D'Angelo}'s {^Voodoo} and {$Stevie Wonder}'s {^Innervisions}. The production crew is the most solid it's ever been on any of her records and the choice of sampling is premium (check the knockout sample of {$Dynasty}'s {&"Adventures in the Land of Music"} used in {&"Lovers' Ghetto"}) but kept at a minimum, a tribute to the inventiveness of {$Stone} and company behind the mixing console. And while there's no barnburning anthem of the type that fueled {^Mahogany Soul}'s longevity and despite some totally unnecessary interludes, this is her most focused and accomplished full-length to date. A delightful album for a summer day, and (save for the {$Snoop} cameo) an enjoyable listen from start to finish. ~ Rob Theakston, All Music Guide