R&B/soul singer Leela James releases the brand new cover single “Something Got A Hold on Me,” which will appear on her forthcoming new album “In The Spirit of Etta James,” due out July 31.
“Etta James sang from real pain, which truly made the blues and soul of her music special,” says Leela, who has worked with everyone from Ray Charles and BB King to Kanye West and John Legend. “Very few artists are able to convey that sincere pain in their music.”
As the title states (“In The Spirit of Etta James”), Leela’s new CD will pay homage to Rock and Roll and Blues Hall of Fame legend Etta James, who passed away in January (2012) at 74.
“I’m very excited to be working with Shanachie Records again on another album. I think Randall Grass (Shanachie GM) is great and the entire Shanachie family has always been good to me. To have the opportunity to do an album paying tribute to the late Etta James is an honor and it is my intent to keep her legacy of music alive in doing so,” adds James.
“In The Spirit of Etta James” will feature Leela’s distinctive versions of songs previously done by Etta James as well as a couple of originals inspired by the iconic singer. The album will include both signature Etta James songs like “I’d Rather Go Blind,” “Something’s Got A Hold Of Me” and “At Last,” and more obscure compositions like “It Hurts So Much,” “I Never Meant To Love Him” and “I Want To Ta Ta You Baby.” In The Spirit of Etta James will be produced in Nashville by Grammy-winning producers Shannon Sanders and Drew Ramsey, who together and separately have produced hits for India. Arie, John Legend, Jonny Lang, Heather Headley and Anthony David, among others. Look for a track to be released to the internet by April and for the full album as early as June.
(Photo Credit: Duan Davis Photography)
It’s always exciting to witness an artist pay tribute to their musical inspirations. Leela James, the multi-Grammy nominated singer and songwriter, is doing just that with her upcoming album Something Got A Hold On Me: Readies Tribute Album. She’s honoring some of the greatest blues, soul, jazz and funk artists in history – from Etta James and Billie Holiday to Otis Redding and Curtis Mayfield. This album promises to be a must-listen for fans of classic music as well as modern R&B.
Leela has been making waves since she released her debut solo record A Change Is Gonna Come back in 2005. She followed up with five more albums over the next fourteen years, including 2018’s Did It For Love which was praised by Rolling Stone Magazine for its “gentle but powerful neo-soul sound.” With this new project, it looks like she’ll keep bringing those same vibes while paying homage to some legendary musicians who helped shape today’s soundscape.
Something Got A Hold On Me will feature twelve tracks handpicked by Leela herself – ten covers and two original songs crafted with help from Grammy Award winning producers such as Raphael Saadiq (Mary J Blige) and Ivan Barias (Musiq Soulchild). The wait is almost over; it drops on October 4th! So get ready folks because you don’t want to miss out when Leela James pays tribute the way only she can.
Overview Of Leela James’ Career
Leela James has been a staple of the R&B/soul music scene for well over a decade. She first made her name in 2005, with the release of her debut album A Change Is Gonna Come. Since then she’s gone on to establish herself as one of the most respected and talented singers in the game, releasing a string of successful albums and singles that have gained critical acclaim from both fans and critics alike.
James’ career has seen an impressive level of success, including two Grammy nominations and multiple #1 hits on various Billboard charts. Yet despite all this success, it was her 2016 tribute album to Etta James (Something’s Got a Hold On Me) that truly put Leela back at the top of the charts once again. The critically acclaimed album featured powerful renditions of some of Etta’s biggest hits such as “At Last” and “Tell Mama”, further cementing Leela’s status as one of today’s foremost female vocalists.
This year sees Leela continuing to celebrate Etta James’ legacy with another tribute album – Readies Tribute Album – set to be released later this summer. The new record will feature some classic songs from other soul icons like Aretha Franklin, Betty Wright, Sam Cooke and Al Green, just to name a few. With so much great material already covered by Leela James over the years, there is no doubt that this next project will be something special indeed!
Overview Of ‘Something Got A Hold On Me’ Tribute Album
Leela James has once again paid homage to one of her biggest influencers, Etta James. Her 2016 tribute album Something’s Got a Hold On Me was an instant success, with the lead single ‘At Last’ becoming a fan favorite and even earning Leela two Grammy nominations. Now, she is taking that same spirit and energy into her upcoming project – Readies Tribute Album.
This new record will feature some of soul music’s most iconic moments from icons such as Aretha Franklin, Betty Wright, Sam Cooke and Al Green. Fans can expect powerful renditions of classic songs like ‘Respect’ and ‘A Change Is Gonna Come’ along with other timeless classics from these musical greats. With so much incredible material already featured on this album, it is sure to become another classic in its own right.
The beauty of Leela James’ work lies not only in her amazing vocal ability but also in her passion for honoring those who have come before her by reinterpreting their songs through her own unique style. There’s no doubt that fans are eagerly awaiting the release of this special tribute album which promises to be something truly inspiring and unforgettable.
Conclusion
I’m glad that Leela James is honoring her roots and paying homage to the music she loves with this tribute album. It’s a great way for her to show her appreciation and respect for the genre, while also giving fans something new and interesting to enjoy. I’m sure everyone will be eager to hear what Leela James has put together on ‘Something Got A Hold on Me’.
Leela James has had an illustrious career in R&B, Soul, Gospel and Blues; a career which spans over two decades and counting. She has released several studio albums of original material as well as some critically acclaimed covers. And now, with the release of ‘Something Got A Hold on Me’, we get to experience her take on classic songs from Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Sam Cooke and more.
As far as tributes go, it doesn’t get much better than this one. The tracklist speaks volumes about who Leela James is as an artist: someone who values tradition yet isn’t afraid to experiment musically. With such a wide range of styles being represented here – ranging from vintage gospel-soul to contemporary blues – ‘Something Got A Hold On Me’ proves why she continues to be one of the most beloved singers in modern soul music today.
Founder and Creator of Singersroom.com and IncredibleWork.com. Follow me on Instagram at @gary.gentles.
