The fabulous Leela James played at the Paradiso in Amsterdam this week. The R&B songstress' third album, My Soul, was released in May and debuted seventh on the Hip Hop/R&B chart. Leela sings "Tell Me You Love Me" and the funky Rolling Stones "Miss You"-inspired "I Love Music" AFTER THE JUMP ...
Continue reading "WATCH: Leela James Performs at Paradiso Amsterdam" »
Leela James rides an infectious, percussive funk as she belts out her manifestos "I Ain't New To This", "I Want It All" and "Tell Me You Love Me", three tracks on her latest and third album My Soul. The CD just debuted at Number 7 on the Billboard Top 10 R&B charts and it's a passionate, powerful tribute to soul music.
Watch the video for "Tell Me You Love Me" AFTER THE JUMP...
James is signed to the Stax Records and although her raw and gritty sound has been favorably compared to a young Aretha Franklin or Chaka Khan, James is much more reminiscent of Stax icons such as Jean Knight, Shirley Brown or even the fabulous Betty Wright. The lyrics and music arrangements, especially in tracks such as "I Ain't New To This" and "I Want It All", are pure unadulerated 1970s funk. "Let It Roll" has an unmistakable Ray Charles flavor. And James' duet with Raheem DeVaughn on “Mr. Incredible Ms. Unforgettable” is pure fiyah.
FlyLife Inc. and Stax Records/Concord Music Group are giving away up to ten copies of My Soul to R20 readers. Enter by leaving a comment in this post and make sure to leave the correct email address. The entries close midnight Thursday. It's our way or saying "Thank You" and we'll have another giveaway next week.
Watch the video for "Tell Me You Love Me" AFTER THE JUMP...
Continue reading "CD REVIEW and GIVEAWAY: Leela James' "My Soul"" »
