Leela James

Leela James carries on the tradition of classic soul while putting a contemporary spin on the idiom with her combination of rich, gritty vocals and highly personal songwriting. Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, and Tina Turner were among the vocalists to whom the Los Angeles native was likened early in her career, which was established with A Change Is Gonna Come (2005), her assured full-length debut. James has since set herself apart with a succession of unpredictable albums. After the Stax-issued My Soul (2010) and Shanachie recording Loving You More...In the Spirit of Etta James...