Product Description

Within the opening minutes of Leela James's debut, A CHANGEIS GONNA COME, the full-voiced performer name-checks both Chaka Khan and Marvin Gaye. Evoking these revered soul artists is quite appropriate, since James deftly incorporates elements of these singers' styles into her own bold, funk-inflected R&B music. (Another soul hero, Sam Cooke, is acknowledged on the title track, a cover of his classic hit.)
Instead of being carried by samples and slick production, James's 2005 debut is rooted in a full guitar/bass/drums sound that nods to the 1970s, without giving up its more modern edge. In fact, artist-of-the-moment Kanye West handles production duties here, along with Wyclef Jean, Raphael Saadiq, and others, giving James's record the added jolts of energy needed to make it a formidable outing. From the urgent "Music" to the bass-heavy "Rain" and the sultry "Mistreating Me", this iscontemporary R&B for people who think they don't like contemporary R&B.

Track Listing

1. Intro
2. Music
3. Good Time
4. Ghetto
5. Soul Food
6. Rain
7. When You Love Somebody
8. Mistreating Me
9. Don't Speak
10. My Joy
11. It's Alright
12. Didn't I
13. Prayer
14. Change Is Gonna Come
15. Long Time Coming

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #24203 in Music
• Released on: 2005-06-20
• Number of discs: 1

Customer Reviews

Excellent - Best CD I've bought in years
I bought this CD based on previous reviews from this site, never having heard about the artist. Either I missed Leela James altogether in 2005 when she released this album or she just never crossed the Atlantic to the UK. I have listened to all song a few times now and they simply have soul. Excellent vocals, hint of ol skool, RnB, Gospel, all cleverly fused together. The Album is really refreshing, original and uncommercialised. Just the kind of music I look out for in this ever so 'pop' u larised world. Go Leela! - looking out for your next production. Fav Track: 16 Prayer.

Modern R'n'B
OK so you prefer old school Soul - as I do - and nobody can compare to Aretha, but lets face it, who can. So view this album as a modern take on things and you can appreciate that here you have a remarkable voice.

Leela James tries to reflect some of the spirit of Soul, by avoiding samples and the more obvious production tricks - and she never falls into the trap of trying too hard to impress. Her voice is assured and can cope with a classic (the title track), without adverse comparisons to those who have gone before.

This is a quality modern R'n'B album, with it's roots in the traditions of Black music, but reflecting today's musical trends without slavishly following them. Leela is a genuine talent - it will be fun to see how she develops the themes seen here. Let's hope she doesn't go in an overtly commercial direction.

Deep and Rich
young woman has a deep voice that can raise the dead. So rich, and satisfying.