Leela James
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Leela James is a Los Angeles native and soul singer who cites James Brown, Roberta Flack, and Gladys Knight, among others, as influences. Her deep, rich and gritty vocals easily draw comparisons to Aretha Franklin and Gladys Knight.
In 2004, James toured as an opening act for the Black Eyed Peas and Macy Gray. That same year, she was featured on hip hop producer, DJ, and emcee Pete Rock’s album Soul Survivor II, providing vocals to the track “No Tears”.
Her debut album was released on June 21, 2005, entitled A Change Is Gonna Come. The album is a soul music record incorporating the styles of 1960s and 1970s American soul singers, with a mixture of funk, R&B and gospel influences. The first single from the album, entitled “Music,” laments what Leela James sees as the decline of hip hop and soul music and asks for a return to the artistry of musicians of earlier decades. Leela co-wrote most of the tracks on her debut album, with two notable exceptions being her cover of No Doubt’s “Don’t Speak,” and the classic song by Sam Cooke for which the album is named. Notable collaborators on the album include Raphael Saadiq of the 1990s R&B group Tony! Toni! Toné!, Kanye West, and former Fugees member Wyclef Jean.
After parting ways with Warner Bros., James signed with the independent label Shanachie Records and released her second studio album on March 24, 2009, an all-cover set entitled Let’s Do It Again (the title being a homage to the 1975 soundtrack album of the same name by The Staple Singers).
In 2004, James toured as an opening act for the Black Eyed Peas and Macy Gray. That same year, she was featured on hip hop producer, DJ, and emcee Pete Rock’s album Soul Survivor II, providing vocals to the track “No Tears”.
Her debut album was released on June 21, 2005, entitled A Change Is Gonna Come. The album is a soul music record incorporating the styles of 1960s and 1970s American soul singers, with a mixture of funk, R&B and gospel influences. The first single from the album, entitled “Music,” laments what Leela James sees as the decline of hip hop and soul music and asks for a return to the artistry of musicians of earlier decades. Leela co-wrote most of the tracks on her debut album, with two notable exceptions being her cover of No Doubt’s “Don’t Speak,” and the classic song by Sam Cooke for which the album is named. Notable collaborators on the album include Raphael Saadiq of the 1990s R&B group Tony! Toni! Toné!, Kanye West, and former Fugees member Wyclef Jean.
After parting ways with Warner Bros., James signed with the independent label Shanachie Records and released her second studio album on March 24, 2009, an all-cover set entitled Let’s Do It Again (the title being a homage to the 1975 soundtrack album of the same name by The Staple Singers).
Top Albums
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A Change Is Gonna Come
Leela JamesBuy- Download Album
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Let's Do It Again
Leela James
Buy- Download Album
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- Amazon $8.69
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My Soul
Leela James Buy- Download Album
- Amazon MP3 $9.49
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- Amazon $4.07
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My Joy
Leela JamesBuy- Download Album
- Amazon MP3 $0.99
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Shoutbox
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soulsugah Waiting for you, live at Europe! [2]
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soulsugah
"Something's Got A Hold on Me" ♥
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moenki Waiting for you, live at Europe!
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superwomanL -
Ex-factorr dayyyuuumm
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backto I been wreckin' my head for the last 5 years or so and I still don't know... how to adele-ise her, she really needs that, she's soooo much better!
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CRiiSs7 Don't Speak <3
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jeffreeh It's Over <3
Videos
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Play
Tell Me You Love Me | Leela…
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Play
Miss You
2 shouts
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Play
Simply Beautiful
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Play
Baby, I'm Scared Of You
1 shout
Events
- Jul 17 Leela James World Cafe Live at the Queen, Wilmington, Delaware, United States
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