Sunday 16 October 2011

#SoulSunday with Leela James

Our supremely talented headliner had a few things to say to her London fans...first of all:


"Hi, this is Leela James.


I want to first thank my UK fans for all of your support, I could not continue without you!


As a final statement, I would say to keep living life to the fullest and know that you  are unique. Real music comes from the heart and I hope that I have given you my heart and My Soul through my music to you.


I will never stop giving you real music. I will continue to keep it alive through some of my great icons like James Brown, Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle, Al Green and many more.


I love all of you and look out for new music by me in 2012.


Leela James"

 But Ms. James also had a little something to say face to face...




You heard the Lady...We'll see you there!


Friday 14 October 2011

#FindOutFriday with Leela James

Leela's Story....

Since her childhood in L.A.'s eclectic urban culture, singer Leela James has woven the soul tradition into and around every corner of her creative identity. Deep within her rich and powerful voice are the echoes of Aretha Franklin, Mavis Staples, Gladys Knight and other iconic divas of generations past.








And yet, James' brand of soul is very much her own – a music inspired by past masters but galvanized by her own life experience and highly focused artistic vision. She brings it all home to the place where modern soul was born, Stax Records (a division of Concord Music Group) with the release of her new album, My Soul, on June 1, 2010.


"I called this album 'My Soul' because the music is a more accurate reflection of who I am than anything else I've ever recorded," says James. "I did more of the writing, and I was involved with more of the  creative process in general. When you listen to the individual tracks, one song may not necessarily sound like the other, but each is soulful in its own way, because each one comes from my soul. I'm the thread that connects all the songs."

Following on the heels of an album of covers released in 2009, My Soul is a current portrait of an artist who has matured over the past decade, found her own voice and made her own way. "After my first two records, I knew I had to find a way to have more control over what was happening with my career," says James. "When I was younger, I was just excited to be making records, and I wasn’t aware of some of the fine print that's a part of this business. I had to learn how to take charge of where my music was going, and how to get there."

Born and raised in Los Angeles, James was surrounded by music from a very early age – much of it from the soul, R&B and gospel traditions that predated her by at least a couple decades. “There was definitely a lot of Al Green played in our house," she recalls. "And there were other gospel singers too, like James Cleveland, The Mighty Clouds of Joy and Shirley Caesar." She recalls her neighborhood as an extension of her own home and family. As such, she absorbed the eclectic array of whatever was playing in her friend's homes and on the streets. There was the soul and R&B and funk from artists like Aretha, Smoky Robinson and Parliament," she says. “And there was B.B. King and all the other blues artists, and then the hip hop by Run DMC and LL Cool J. There was so much that I was exposed to."

Along the way, it never occurred to her that much of what she was hearing was at least a generation ahead of her time. "Good music is timeless," she says, "so you don't really stop to think that certain music is from a different period and you're too young to embrace it. If it's good, it's good." By the time she was in high school, she was singing in numerous talent showcases and competitions. "I knew it was something that I wanted to pursue," she says, "because I enjoyed the music and I enjoyed being on stage and making people feel good and getting a positive reaction from singing."

She made her recording debut with 'A Change Is Gonna Come', released on the Warner label in 2005. The album title alone – taken from the title of a 1964 posthumous hit by Sam Cooke and an anthem for the civil rights movement – speaks to James' deep-rooted belief in the soul tradition and its ever-present potential to influence history. In the midst of a change in management and label over the next four years, James kept busy with an aggressive tour schedule that introduced her to festival audiences in the Netherlands, Switzerland, South Africa and elsewhere around the world.




Along the way, she was nominated for 2006's Outstanding New Artist by the NAACP Image Awards and Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist of 2008 by the Soul Train Music Awards. In 2009, she recorded Let's Do It Again for the Shanachie label. The album was a series of covers – mostly soul, R&B and funk tunes by the likes of Bootsy Collins, The Staples Singers, Al Green, James Brown and Bobby Womack. Also in the mix were songs originally recorded by lesser known artists like Betty Wright and Phyllis Hyman. Let's Do It Again prompted readers of soultracks.com – the respected website for all things soul, R&B and gospel – to tap James as Female Vocalist of the Year in the site's 2009 Readers Choice Poll in December 2009. But the time for James’ tributes to the old masters – however legendary – is past.

'My Soul' consists primarily of material written or co-written by James and crafted by an assortment of talented producers, including Gerrard Baker, Carl "Chucky" Thompson, Kadis & Sean and others. The album is a giant step forward in James’ ongoing process of defining who she is and what the soul radition has meant to her.

The first single off the album, "Tell Me You Love Me," is a track that James co-wrote with Andrea Martin and Gordon Williams. Gerrard Baker loops in a sample of James riffing on a line from “Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye,” the classic ballad made popular among soul audiences by the Manhattans in 1978. "The title says it all," says James. "A lot of times, people – especially men – let their egos and their pride stop them from really expressing their feelings. Even when a woman knows her man loves her, she still needs to hear him say it."



Other high points include the defiant opening track "Ain’t New To This," wherein James stakes her claim as an artist to be reckoned with, balanced by the more light-hearted "Party All Night" and "Let It Roll." The latter, says James, was inspired by the optimistic sound from the heyday of Motown in the 1960s: "The message in this song is 'Don’t sweat the small stuff.' You have to just keep your head when you're faced with difficult situations and difficult people, no matter how bad the energy might get."



On the more introspective side is "It’s Over," which James describes as "a fed up song" about going in and out of the same relationship. "Eventually you're backed up against the wall, and you have to finally say enough is enough." Likewise, the multi-layered "If It's Wrong" examines the struggle between doing what feels good and doing the right thing – two courses that often don't intersect. "It's a song about the good angel on one shoulder and the devil on the other," she says. "You hear all these different tones and textures and voices in the song, but they’re all me. That represents all the stuff that goes on in your head when you're struggling with the choices between right and wrong."


Clearly, Leela James's musical soul embraces an infinite range of emotions and human struggles. As an artist and as a person, making tough choices and doing the right thing – even if it's the hard thing – is what she's been all about for more than a decade. In the process, she has never lost sight of the core values of the soul tradition – passion, perseverance and a strong sense of identity. All of these and more are at the foundation of 'My Soul'.


"In the past, people tried to put me in a box, based on what they thought soul should sound like," she says. "But soul is whatever comes out of you when you bring your deepest and most honest emotions to the forefront. All these songs are a representation of my soul."

Catch Leela on her ONLY 'My Soul' UK Tour Date NEXT FRIDAY, 21 OCTOBER at The Clapham Grand!


TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW!


















It doesn't end there though! What comes after a Show....?

The Leela James 'My Soul' Tour After Party kicks off straight after our Soul Diva shuts down the stage!


A few doors away from the Grand, Wessex House comes ALIVE with the sounds of DJ D.Lux from the infamous DEJAVU FM!






PAs on the night:


LEKHEM
Nazarene
Mx Ugoh & Friends


PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS!


£8 guestlist / £10otd


More information: Facebook Event Page

Sunday 9 October 2011

Have You Met Mr. Houston?

I first met Bobby Houston 6 years ago this December, through the mutual love for one of the greatest voices of all time. I'm not going to tell you who the owner is right now, because I want your focus and attention here!


A number of years later, I was told he could sing. Having never heard him myself though, and priding myself on my "listen first, laud later" standards; I thought "Ok" and thought no more of it. A while after that, THIS landed on my facebook page:




Shocked that this was the same cheeky Chappy I knew, I was always desperate to hear more, even go and see him live, but he was in the land of Stars, recording.


Now back, and through to tonight's Open Mic UK Regional Finals in Hayes, I can only say, that if this is anything to go by...




I wish the other Competition Finalists well, but suggest they bring not just their own A-Game, but that of any and everyone they know as well.


All the best Bobby!


The Open Mic UK Regional Finals take place at 7pm, at the Beck Theatre, Grange Road, Hayes, Middlesex UB3 2UE. Further information is available here.

#SoulSunday with Omar

We've done a few of these now, so if you've been paying attention, you'll know that this feature is tied to the theme of Leela James' upcoming 'My Soul' Tour, and it's how we round off each week in the #ESPspotlight.


This week has truly been an honour, as the ES in P got to feature a childhood legend. A musician who's body of work is woven into the fabric and culture of modern times, Omar has done more than his fair share to shape the History of the music for the masses. 


Leela best describes the concept:


"I called this album 'My Soul' because the music is a more accurate reflection of who I am than anything else I've ever recorded...When you listen to the individual tracks, one song may not necessarily sound like the other, but each is soulful in its own way, because each one comes from my soul."

For Omar, music comes from an equally similar place:






"My music comes from a part of me that has learned the Art of Self Expression, and every one of my albums is a milestone in my journey and evolution."




Omar features with US NeoSoul star, Leela James on the ONLY UK date for her 'My Soul' Tour, at the Clapham Grand on 21 October. Visit the iLive concert page via the ESP website for more information or, better still, head on over to Eventim and get your tickets NOW!

Friday 7 October 2011

#FindOutFriday - Q&A with Omar

There are some moments in life that will stay with you until your last ragged breath. The latest addition to my 'Rocking Chair' list, will go a little something like this...It was while I was pounding the cobblestones of Camden Market, that I got the email from a lovely lady Manager, confirming my slot the following afternoon, when a certain 'Someone' would be expecting my call.


Slightly nervous and already feeling my silent tongue-tying, I decided not to think about my big interview until it came time to dial. Fifteen minutes ahead of my allotted time, although roots deep in my 'To-Do list', I caught myself inadvertently checking my reception bars and asking aloud if I was SURE I paid my phone bill last month; JUST IN CASE...


My Direct Debit was kind enough to clear on time, making it possible for me to dial-in 3 minutes early. After a brief chat with a VERY warm, welcoming and quite funny living Legend, I set about asking Omar some questions...


Q: You've had a PHENOMENAL year thus far; what's been your personal highlight?
A: I'd probably have to say, working on a new version of 'There's Nothing Like This'. It's been 20 years since the original and SO many people have been requesting it, for SO long. It's taken 2 years to work out. I replayed it, tried to re-sing it but I just wasn't happy with it; then I finally, finally cracked it. Fans will be able to hear it on my new album, 'The Man' due out in early 2012 - if I don't release a snippet before then!


Q: Not many people can say that one of the greatest musicians in HISTORY offered to write for them. Can you tell us about the moment you got 'That Call' from Stevie Wonder?
A: It wasn't really a moment...there was a bit of a build up to it going back as far as '87, when I first met him. We met again a year later, then again in '92, during my second album (Music). It was then that he really heard my music and loved it. 


It wasn't until 2000 though, that 'The Call' finally came. By then, I thought it might not happen, so I didn't believe it was him! Who'd really take that seriously? Hearing this 'voice' on the other end of the phone say, "Hey Omar, how you doing it's Stevie!"...I had NO idea who it was! My first reaction was: "Stevie who?"...Of COURSE I didn't believe him when he said "Stevie Wonder!" I said "Yeah, right - sing something for me then!" He did - well you could say I took him seriously after that!


We hung out for a few weeks, went to some restaurants, clubs, hung out in his hotel...then he called me up when he was ready, we went into the studio the next day and laid down some parts. It was ok, but then he called me afterwards and said he wanted to scrap it for another track. We started from scratch in the studio the following day, and the result was 'Feeling You', that you hear on my 'Sing (If You Want It)' album, re-released this year on Tru Thoughts.


Q: Having collaborated with such a Legend, is there anyone else you would like to work with, that you haven't yet?
A: Bill Withers and Bobby Womack! I've been Blessed enough in my career that most of my idols, I've managed to work with. Although I'm still aiming for both sadly, Bill Withers is understandably quite disillusioned with the music industry; and Bobby Womack is suffering with Prostate Cancer. I managed to see him at the Jazz Cafe awhile back, but didn't get to speak as he was clearly in some discomfort. From the heart, I wish him a speedy recovery.



Q: The MOBOs are right around the corner and the talent across the board is varied. Who's standing out to you at the moment?
A: I was in Copenhagen recently and heard Bobby Bovell's album, 'The Emergent EcleKtic'. He's up for a Gospel award. I played it in the car and thought it was a really nice variation; even the Mrs liked it and asked who it  was! I'm also liking what Wretch (32) is doing. I heard his album as well and really liked his work. It's brilliant to see UK talent being lauded across the board and I'm really glad to be a part of that.




Q: What did a 5-year-old Omar want to be when he grew up?
A: Pretty much what I am now! I knew I was a Performer. It was actually in my Step-Dad's Rock & Roll band that I gave my first autograph, at about 8 or 9! We performed at a University in Canterbury and I played the drums. She came up to me at the end and told me that I was going to be a Star!


Q: Your musical CV is a standalone storybook, but can you give us an insight into the man behind the music? What are the Top 3 tracks on your 'Guilty Pleasures' playlist?
A: I love all that cheesy stuff! Lulu, Cliff Richard, Cilla Black...there's this one mix of 'Surprise, Surprise'; I swear if you listen closely, there's a touch of rare groove in it!


Q: With your Zed Bias collaboration, you've come out with what some consider to be a new direction for you. Do you feel like this is a big change?
A: Not at all! If you know me, then you know that I'm a bit of a comedian with my music. We were actually put in touch through contacts. I was told to listen to him (Bias), because he makes good beats. I did and it was an instant thing when I heard the backing track. I was inspired straight away and started hearing melodies.


Q: Has fatherhood impacted the music that you're making in anyway? If so, how?
A: Not really; when I'm in my London studio, it's all about the work. In Brighton? Well that's Daddy Time.


Q: It's fair to say that people will most likely know you for 'There's Nothing Like This'; but of your entire musical catalogue, what's your personal favourite composition?
A: That's impossible for me to decide. I've written over 100 songs, so there's no way I could only name ONE! 'Little Boy', 'If So', 'Tell Me'...It really depends on how I feel on the day!


Q: The music industry is over-saturated with reality TV "Stars", hoping to fast-track to success. What advice would you give to those budding talents who just want to do this for the love of the music?
A: Be accessible. get your website together, your facebook, your twitter...Do things that are different, that make you stand out. But most of all, Be True to Yourself. It's YOUR music at the end of the day, so you've got to be comfortable with that you're doing.


Omar features with US NeoSoul Star Leela James, on the ONLY UK date for her 'My Soul' Tour, at the Clapham Grand on 21 October. Visit the iLive concert page via the ESP website for more information or, better still, head on over to Eventim and get your tickets NOW! 

Sunday 2 October 2011

Mr. Baker has something to say...


"Hey LekWorld,

Greetings to each and every single one of you all.

Hope you've had a great weekend and enjoyed the surprisingly great London weather! If you're not here reading this, all I can say is that an Act of God has overtaken the City for this time of year!

Enough about that, let's get down to the real reason we're here...

I've been working on the next scheduled release, 'HipHopology:1stSemester' for a little while now. You've heard exclusives from the project via shows that I have been doing over the course of this year. So you know about it, you've heard material from it and many of you have been asking: "Where IS it???"

'HipHopology:1st Semester' is still on the way and coming along very well. I want to ensure that you receive the best music possible from me at all times, so I'm working diligently on it. But guess what...Because you've been asking, I'm pleased to finally announce that you won't be waiting much longer for new music!!!

Come October 31st, I've decided to release a free EP for all of my loyal fans and supporters, entitled: 'The Raise'.


This EP represents the transition from 'Str8 Out Da Oven' to 'HipHopology:1stSemester', and is designed to showcase my growth as an artist, producer and songwriter. It also has some very exciting, very interesting features and production credits...I could give you a clue or two as to who those people are, but where's the fun in that?


That's not all though...As my supporters will know, I took a little time off from performing to concentrate on recording. Yesterday's Broken Silence Finals were a great first step back out (Shoutout to my category's champ, Young Deacon, you killed it Playa)! But I'll be back to give you more at iLive Music's Leela James 'My Soul' Tour After Party on 21 October. Keep checking www.espromotions.co.uk for more information on that, coming soon!


Now those who have been following on Twitter, will finally understand what those hints have been about for the last week or so! Live information from studio sessions, show updates and my journey as a whole, will be released there and via @LekWorld_ESP FIRST, so keep yourself informed!!!


Blessings to all, #1Love.


@Lekhemmusic"


Feel free to let him know your thoughts people! (ES)

#SoulSunday Statement - Nazarene

Hopefully, you've caught this feature on the last two Sundays running, but if not, let me familiarise you...


Leela James' 'My Soul' Tour is a personal epithet to thoughts and feelings from the heart. Let the Lady tell you about it herself:


"I called this album My Soul because the music is a more accurate reflection of who I am than anything else I've ever recorded...When you listen to the individual tracks, one song may not necessarily sound like the other, but each is soulful in its own way, because each one comes from my soul."


NAZARENE:



"I want to continue to make music that people can smile sing and talk about long after I'm gone.


My songs will always come from a true place. Someone's story is always a good song. It doesn't have to be your personal story, but as long as you can relate, you can relay which is the beauty of it.


It's not easy being a musician and baring your Soul sometimes, but I want to connect with people on all sorts of levels through my music, so it's all about coming out the box and not being afraid to be who you are no matter what anybody thinks.

I cant wait...it's taken me some time but Nazarene has arrived."

Saturday 1 October 2011

#FindOutFriday - Q&A with Nazarene

Much as I love the Boys in Leela's Line Up, I wont pretend that this isn't an interview I've been chomping at the bit to do. Even though between our hectic schedules, it meant that it didn't quite make it in for the 'Friday' part for you to 'Find Out' about, I couldn't let it pass without showing you a tiny bit of the reason why Nazarene is one of the most interesting people I know...

Q: Where does the name Nazarene come from, how and why does it fit you?
A: Nazarene is one of my middle names. My Dad gave it to me because he was into Rastafarianism. It holds a righteous, ethnic meaning as its origins are in Nazareth, the place where Jesus grew up.

Q: There are a lot of different sides to you: Performer, CEO, Teacher...Tell us of another one that people are not likely to know about:
A: That's quite a hard one, because I'm very open! I guess that I'm very family-orientated?

Q: What inspired you to start iLiveArts?
A: When I Left WAC (WAC Performing Arts and Media College), I was going around to all of these open mics to build up my confidence and see what opportunities were out there. I realised there were none that I couldn't be creating myself! The main difference is that I wanted to create a safe, supportive atmosphere, where everything was all about the music. I found most of the other shows to be quite 'clique-y'; whereas I wanted to put together something fresh and new, where people actually want to come down and the focus is all about the music, the artist and nothing else.

Q: What is your most personal moment since iLiveArts's conception:
A: I think it has to be when I sang a song I wrote, called 'Fathers'. A lady had tears in her eyes while I performed it. She came up to me afterwards and said that it meant so much to her, because so much of it matched her personal history. The fact that it actually touched somebody in a way that I thought it never could. That's not always an easy thing to do.

Q: What inspired you to bring the Leela James 'My Soul' Tour to the UK and how did you select your eclectic line up?
A: Leela inspired me! I saw her live about 5 years back, when my friend Alice took me to one of her concerts. I was just blown away by her energy, her talent, her showmanship...She was who I aspired to be like, as I wasn't performing much at the time. When it came time to expand the iLive Music nights on that bigger scale, she was the first person I thought of.

Omar has always been an all-time favourite of mine. I'm quite big on the UK Talent thing and didn't want to make the show all about a US artist, as amazing as she is. I wanted that balance so decided to compliment Leela with a household name.

Relentless MC brings that UK conscious hip hop element that I'm really into. He's completely different and that's exactly what I wanted for this show, for it to be different from the norm.

Bonnie is a brilliant songwriter. A beautiful up and coming talent. As one myself, I feel it's SO important to give a platform with the big names to unsigned talent. Plus she's always supported the iLive brand and me personally - I had to have her with us.

I actually learned of MAVERiQ through Missus ESP! His vocals took me to another place as soon as I heard him, and I think it's great to have a male UK soul vocalist to help Omar balance out us girls!

Q: As a solo artist, what are your 2012 goals?
A: To finish my album and get out there on the road. Just to make GOOD music! I want to put my stamp on things and put iLive on the map!

Q: You hand selected your house band, the 'iLive Collective'. How did you all meet?
A: I was running iLiveArts single-handedly; booking freelance musicians to play at the iLive Music nights. Mx Ugoh (Drummer) and Kat Marcinger (Keyboardist) were playing for Bobi Kwe at the time, who I had invited down to headline. They enjoyed the night so much, that they approached me at the end and asked to be involved! It worked out great because we all clicked, and we've been a band ever since! I was introduced to Solomon 'SolStar' Castillo (guitarist) by his Mum, who's become a great friend of mine. Steve Yarde (bassist) and I were introduced through another musician. He joined around the same time as Kat and Mx, over 2 years ago now.

Q: What advice would you give to any budding entrepreneurs looking to start an iLive of their own?
A: Have your ACE team around you first! Make sure that you all share the same vision, that they want things to happen, but are not looking for a quick fix. They have to be willing to put the work in, but then so do you. Take risks, do things differently; don't do what everyone else is.

Q: Have you ever had a bad stage experience? How did you handle it?
A: (Laughs) Erm, I got a bit overexcited during a performance once and forgot I was wearing brand new shoes; one minute I was jumping around, the next I was sliding across the dance floor and ended up on my rear. I got up so fast that even though the audience heard a 'bump', most didn't see what happened. The show must go on as they say, so even though I was in agony from it, I kept going. If I can recover from that, I can keep anything moving!

Q: WAC seems to hold a very dear place in your heart. What makes them so special to you?
A: WAC are family. When I went to the college, I knew no-one and had no self-confidence. They were so supportive. They taught me to believe in myself. The treatment I've received from them is 2nd to none. I know I have a relationship there, that I will carry with me throughout the rest of my life. Everyone continually helps you throughout your journey there, so you don't mind putting the extra hours in. They definitely gave me the foundation and taught me how to run my own workshops.

Nazarene and the iLive Collective can be found at 'Soul in the City'; taking place at Avalon Shoreditch on the first and last Tuesday of every month.