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).
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Top Albums
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Let's Do It Again
Leela James
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My Soul
Leela James Buy- Download Album
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A Change Is Gonna Come
Leela JamesBuy- Download Album
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My Joy
Leela JamesBuy- Download Album
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Shoutbox
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Ex-factorr wrote:
dayyyuuumm
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backto wrote:
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 wrote:
Don't Speak <3
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jeffreeh wrote:
It's Over <3
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Chingy314 wrote:
tell me you love me!
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paolafrisenda wrote:
appena scoperta.......gia' innamorata
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credmoney wrote:
great voice!
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tanjazaric wrote:
man what a beautiful voice
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seyma__ wrote:
Mr.Incridible Mrs.Forgettable should be played more ! It is a beautiful song and she has a great voice.Im glad that we have an artist like her in these days :)
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ferrerap wrote:
Sometimes sounds like Anouk.
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Biscuit1978 wrote:
Party All Night <3
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Vdrms wrote:
great jazz!
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CRiiSs7 wrote:
I Ain’t New To This <3
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Erous wrote:
So Cold <3
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EricaKane101 wrote:
amazing voice [2]
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mrsean20 wrote:
amazing voice
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alan_ramirez wrote:
love her
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KingsAndQueen wrote:
Can't believe her voice :O
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Rascott03 wrote:
The Fact Is <33333333
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Roxettee wrote:
<3
Videos
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I Ain't New To This (My Soul…
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Tell Me You Love Me | Leela…
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Miss You
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Simply Beautiful
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Recent Activity
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Mercurette, jamreg84, khamlad and 6 other people added Leela James to their libraries. yesterday evening
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sebiye tagged Leela James with ‘soul’. Tuesday evening
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sebiye added Leela James to sebiye’s library. Tuesday evening
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elsiesbest tagged Leela James with ‘leela james’. Tuesday afternoon
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Khandiiluvmuzik, hostesscupcakes, Koketsomabotja and 16 other people added Leela James to their libraries. last week
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ewelate tagged Leela James with ‘soul’. last month
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