You open the album with "Clean Up Woman" – it's a classic. What is it about that song that you appreciate the most? Over the years, a lot of artists have covered this song or used elements of the song in their tracks. So what is it about that song that made you want to start your album with it?
Well, I'm a Betty Wright fan, number one. I love Betty Wright; I love her voice. I love her contribution to the R&B music. She's another great artist and that's one of my favorite Betty Wright songs. To do the record, it was so fitting for myself and the band because it's soul, it's funky, it's amazing. It's a fun way to kick off the album. It had a lot of energy and it's one of the first songs we recorded so it just made sense to put it at the top and set the tone for what we were going to do with the rest of the record – which was basically to bring funk and soul and have a good time. And to make people feel good as they're listening to it and say, "Hey, I remember that record."
Is there another song that you performed on the album that you feel like you gave your all that had an interesting story attached to it?
Yeah, the Angela Bofill record – "I Try" – the second to the last song in the album. I had to reach down deep because it's such a strong ballad, you know. It was a little difficult right there towards the end because fatigue had kicked in and I was recording all these songs back-to-back-to-back. That's a lot of singing.
Earlier on, you were saying how you felt you relate to Angela and Phyllis in terms of them being overlooked. If you don't really measure success in terms of sales, how would you define success?
No matter what happens, I would say that I'm quite successful. I have a loving family. I have a roof over my head, clothes on my back, food to go in my mouth, and adoring fans all throughout the world. I'm blessed; that's just what it is.
At this point in your career, what do you consider to be your ultimate contribution to the music industry?
I just bring my thing, the Leela James thing. I just try to do me. I'm a soul singer; that's what I do. That's my contribution to music. Maybe I bring a little bit of hot soul.
You also bring a unique style. I am a bit curious about your new look. Comparing the album covers of A Change is Gonna Come and Let's Do It Again, I want to know what happened to your afro! [laughing] You're still fine and all. But...
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