Customer Reviews

My Soul

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Leela James' new CD "My Soul" perfectly showcases her raw and fiery vocals. Upbeat Retro Funk/Soul songs (no remakes this time) with some given a contemporary Hip Hop sheen. Songs like the churning "I ain't new to this", "So cold", "I want it all" (on which she passionately tells us she wants 40 acres and a mule, a platinum record, free education, to kill all disease and the war to cease, among other desires), and the bouncy pair of the horn-sprinkled "Party all night", and "Let it roll".

Everything else ranges from midtempo to slow; the beautiful ballad "Mr. Incredible, Ms. Unforgetable" (with the creamy vocals of Raheem DeVaughn), the Staple Singers-style "Tell me you love me" (on which she reminds me of Joss Stone, it has a great guitar solo) the lulling "Supa luva", the groovy Prince-style "If it's wrong", and the stunning "It's over" (with some helium-filled vocal flourishes).

Highlight though has got to be "The fact is", a lush ballad with sporadic bursts of bass and a seventies-style spoken bridge. Absolutely fabulous, as is the whole album.

Leela James released her new album "My Soul" a year after her all-covers album "Let's Do It Again". She does the perfect balance between traditional and contemporary- not bad for someone who is still in her mid-20's. The album starts off with "I Ain't New To This" in which she fancies herself as a music industry veteran, while taking a brief swipe at her former label Warner Bros. Records for their lack of promotion of her 2005 debut "A Change Is Gonna Come". Speaking of her debut album, one of the producers that worked on it appears on "My Soul"- Chucky Thompson, who produced the Raheem DeVaughn assisted "Mr. Incredible, Ms. Unforgettable" and the two 60's inspired tracks "Party All Night" and "Let It Roll". Andrea Martin, who also wrote Melanie Fiona's "Give It To Me Right" pens the first single "Tell Me You Love Me". Ray Murray (one-third of the production team Organized Noize) produces "I Want It All" which sounds a lot like N.E.R.D.'s song "Don't Worry About It" from their 2004 album "Fly Or Die". Orthodox & Ransum close the album with the songs "If It's Wrong" and "It's Over". This album is heavily rooted in retro soul, with the exception of "Supa Lova" and "So Cold" which sound like obvious attempts for commercial radio. In a nutshell, Leela's new album is pretty good, albeit rather brief. This album is a must own for this year.

This is my first time writing a review on any album, but just knew I had to do this one. The woman is incredible. Incredible voice, style, stage presents. Do I sound like a fan, I am for sure. Ever since I heard her first album, and then the live show on video, I've been in love with her music and voice. This album for sure puts her over the top in the solid gold ones. From "I Ain't New To This", to the last track "It's Over". Wish there was more of her. (I mean her Music). Get this; a must have.

Jp soul
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Leela James is one of those singers `deserving wider recognition.` Unfortunately for the soulful songstress, `the right album' for commercial aspirations seems unlikely. For the fans's sake, maybe that is best as a `soulful,' `authentic' Leela James seems much better than a commercial `pop-tart' or a contemporary R&B singer with `no soul.' From my perspective, on her third effort (second effort of originals),My Soul, James sounds as if she has found just the right bridge between being considered too obscure and conceding too much just for commercial appeal. On 'My Soul,' there are some cuts that could have been genuine commercial hits as well as cuts fulfilling and `ode' to soul music. James balances two worlds with great relevance.

"I Ain't New To This" is a superb opener, featuring great soulful production work that samples "Solitary Love Affair" by Millie Jackson. The hook is simple and old school in conception, but captivates listener, foreshadowing what `gems' are to further captivate the listener on the album. The length may be a brief 2:30, but there is more than enough substance to alert the listener this is going to be one solid album.

"So Cold" is one of many originals written solely by James, and it does not disappoint. Here, James contrasts her overt, soul-stirring vocals from "I Ain't New To This" with softer, restrained vocals, as if to represent `the coldness' of which she sings. the production work is soulful, with full-sounding bass, lovely twinkles of piano, and tasteful use of synthesized lines. "The Fact Is" keeps up the soulful vibe established by James, only another sample `buttresses' the production work, this time a contribution from soul standouts The Moments ("Lovely Way She Loves"). James's vocals are more present and direct here, once again contrasting the previous trend. Lovely background vocals strengthen the well written refrain, with the sample being incredibly projected here.

"I Want It All" changes pace once again, providing one of the albums more satisfactory listens. Another original solely by James, James channels funk on this throwback cut which features superb, catchy songwriting. Here, James `wants': "forty acres and mule... I want to do what I choose and make my own rules..". It is by all means an A+ cut. "Party All Night," another James original, features a nice uptempo, driving groove, again providing contrast to the previous, funky cut. The vocals are overt by James, highlighting her almost anachronistic vocals. Harmonically, the track sits on the same chord, contributing to the remarkableness of the groove.

No album is complete without a great duet, and co-writers Leela James and Raheem DeVaughn accomplish this on the powerful, soulful cut "Mr. Incredible, Ms. Unforgettable." The sound achieved here is classic and Raheem DeVaughn and Leela James possess a remarkable vocal chemistry, reaching to soaring heights. The momentum rises even higher with "Tell Me You Love Me," a cut lifting "Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye." This cut is clearly a neo-soul number, but it is contemporary enough to appeal to younger listeners who favor more commercially-driven cuts. "Let It Roll" is equally solid, if not more so, with soulful production that sounds indigenous to the 1970s. At only 2:44, "Let It Roll" leaves the listener yearning for more.

"Supa Luva" is lengthier than previous cuts, but length takes nothing away from the overall quality. "If It's Wrong," the penultimate cut, features nice dark-sounding production work, contrasting the bright, soulful edge of most of the other cuts. Closing cut "It's Over" may not be the best cut of My Soul, but it redirects any lost energy via "Supa Luva" or "If It's It Wrong", which is not much lost.

Essentially, 'My Soul' is a superb soul album that has unfortunately been forgot in a pack of more generic, though commercial R&B releases. It would be nice to see Ms. James get a huge lift and receive the talent she deserves, but regardless of commercial success or lack of, Leela James is one of R&B's shining stars. My Soul is the evidence.

lEELA James has really out done her self this is deffinately one of the best cd's this year, I listned to the whole cd and did not skip one track at all...every song is a hit... Her voice is simply amazing from song 1 on the cd to song 11, you are just transformed to another place with her soulful voice...Excellent!!!!!!!!!!!

Leela James is one of those artist when you hear her voice you say, I just got to have that song, and this album was no exception. She always put her all in to her music and you can hear it in every note.


Thank you,
For keeping the Soul in Soul.
Cynthia

Leela has come back with another jem, raw emotion emmerging from each song!This is one of the best cd's I have picked up this year, love the song she did with raheem, It's one of my favorites but the whole cd is excellent! Buy this cd, you won't be dissapointed!

I was introduced to Leela James's music through a friend and I have sought every CD she she put out ever since. I was not disappointed with My Soul. This has a nice combination of rocking funk and smooth soul. It is a definite must-have for Leela James fans.

The best way I can explain is that she is a better female version of Anthony Hamilton. Her voice is so soulful and I can truly feel her lyrics and the music. Definitely worth an addition to my collection for R&B/Soul

The Fact Is Leela James has My Soul. I really love the passionate feel of this artist. I have her previous releases
and this one is also a must have. My song is "The Fact Is" nuff said. :-)