The Mini-Listen #7
Published October 28, 2003
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"My Joy" - Leela James (A Change Is Gonna Come) |
This tune starts off on the right foot with a slinky Lauren-Hill-type vibe....and I love the guitar. Clean-toned and funky.
But then the voice hits with:
- Who are you to tell...that I can't go on....without you?
...and I've got to say that this is some voice. Supply and sexy with just the right amount of smokey edge.
Let's just say that it got my attention.
I wish more modern r&b went this route. There's a lot of soul and funk here, with reverence to the past that's not bleached out by too many passes through ProTools.
Sadly, there appears to be no Leela James material on the near horizon...or else Warner's keepin' it a secret...which would be a shame.
(First posted on Mark Is Cranky)
Mark Saleski is a writer and music obsessive based out of the Monadnock region of New Hampshire. On his best day, he hopes to channel the ghosts of Lester Bangs and Jack Kerouac. He spends the hours of 9:32PM to 1:37AM carving out music reviews and essays for Jazz.com, Blogcritics.org and other publications.- The Mini-Listen #7
- Published: October 28, 2003
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- Section: Music
- Writer: Mark Saleski
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I worked with Leela on the album when it was recorded in 2000. I was the assistant engineer on many of the records on the first draft of the album. Unfortunately, they've cut the album from about 15-20 songs, to 10. All that means is that my iPod will be on repeat.
From what I've seen on the web this morning, the album is finally slated for release on March 28, 2005. Let's cross our fingers!
interesting - still never heard of her and no listing in Amazon
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Yes, yes, yes... I heard Leela for the first time in the Summer '03 and I was like "who is this?!?!" the dj was just mixing her joint "My Joy" w/ another tune and I never got her name, 'til the dj played her joint "My Joy" once again and I jotted down her name... Ms. Leela James. She's cute as a button (in a non-fruity way) and boy can that woman blow the doors down with her electrifying voice.