Leela James - Change Has Come

How can I describe this girl.... excuse me young woman? True artistry, real soul, real heart. It's clear from the way she sings and the emphatic nature of her performances that she is serious about her craft. As a lover of the arts I consider music to be a valuable form of artistic expression not just sounds.

Music evokes so much power and emotion and it is rare to find such creativity in many artists now. But Leela James is another new artist who has brought back the feeling lacking in much of music today. Her voice is phenomenal, strong, soulful, controlled she hits those riffs without over doing.... it she sings like a woman should. Her voice if for the grown well tuned ear an ear that gathers a sense of depth that evokes an emotional connection and response to the music. Leela James music is more that just easy listening and dancing at the club, music styles that have become so prevalent now, but hers is refreshing and soul capturing. I haven't heard all of her songs but I can say she delivers.

On Music she talks about it having lost its soul and going back to the days of Marvin, Aretha and the like. James did a remake of No Doubts Don't Speak, as a result I don't know which version I love better. James version explores the song from a different angle vocally, Gwen Stefani's vocals are more of an innocent rendering of the lyrics and situation while James' takes raw emotional approach. Both versions are excellent nonetheless. And of course there's Joy in which she recounts her struggle to maintain her musical creativity in the face of opposition from those in control but has kept her soul and ability to be joyful in spite of it.

Another plus that should already be expected is that James sounds the same on stage as she does on her albums. With so many studio-produced singers it's always a thrill to find a diamond in the rough anyone whose pure voice can make me shiver is a bonafide Grade A singer or should I say Sanger. If you haven't already checked out some Leela James' performances, here's one on Youtube to start you off http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oB_GLlbB0ZU. Check out A Change Is Gonna Come on iTunes.

Character - Yes
Style - Yes
True to self - Yes
Creative - Yes
Natural talent - Yes

Bottom line I give Leela James 5 out of 5 stars