Leela James

The music industry's pledge of artistic revolution has become a pipe dream. Fortunately, every so often the universe births an anomaly - a virtuoso whose essence defies conventionalism and whose artistry serves as a barometer for musical greatness. She is Leela James. Soulstress. Prodigy. Radical. Phenom.

Indeed, Lady James represents many things, but what she'll never be mistaken for is an ingenue. One listen to her nostalgic debut, A Change Is Gonna Come (named after Sam Cooke's 1964 hit), and it's evident that James is a pupil and conduit of classic soul. "You can't fake or buy soul," says James. "It's either inside of you or it isn't." Invoking the fiery spirits of Tina Turner and Parliament-Funkadelic with the soulful timbre of mavens such as Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin and Mahalia Jackson, James embarks on a melodic pilgrimage offering her special brand of "back porch" soul. "I call it back porch soul because it's a style of music that's homegrown, reminiscent of a time where folks sat around on those hot, sticky days on their porches singing and playing the blues. It's a style that's gritty, that's raw, not contrived or watered down. It's what I grew up around, it's in my roots, it's who I am."

A Change Is Gonna Come ingeniously suffices as a personal covenant about relationship do's and don'ts. From the exalting tribute "Music," which begs the pardon for today's generic music to the confrontational "Ghetto," to the funky inspirational "Rain," to the legendary title track, the songstress delivers a blueprint survival guide for the strong and brokenhearted. However, it's paeans such as the defiant "My Joy," melancholy "MisTreating Me," remorseful "When You Love Somebody" and the gutsy "Didn't I" that James bellows with haunting conviction. "I can't sing about things I can't relate to. I have to feel the song."

Surprisingly, the Los Angeles songbird's emotive vocals and ardent lyrics belie her youth and diminutive appearance. "Because I have a high-pitched speaking voice and I don't have a 'big mama' soul look, people are always surprised when they hear me sing." Perhaps, James' vocal prowess is a culmination of years of performing on the indie circuit and opening for music luminaries such as Stephanie Mills, Macy Gray, Robert Randolph and the Black Eyed Peas. Allow Lady James to hip the world to her soul and funk inspirations and they'll discover that her back porch soul diet was served up in church pews and family functions. "I was raised on gospel, blues and funk," explains James. "My father had a huge record collection that I listened to--B.B. King, Al Green, Marvin Gaye, so I'm simply a product of my environment."

Although the college graduate who studied business developed a cult following during a year-long tour, she's certain to harvest a healthier crop of loyalists with the help of some fertile producers. Forming a musical alliance with Commissioner Gordon (Lauryn Hill), the album's executive producer, James sowed her dream team. Enlisting the talent of renowned chairmans-of-the-soundboard such as Kanye West, Raphael Saadiq, Wyclef Jean, James Poyser, and Chucky Thompson, James served as co-writer for the project. "It's great when others can lend their talents to help guide you toward your vision," says James. "All of these men have such an incredible history of music, so it was a pleasure to collaborate with them."

Judging by Lady James' fervor and indelible talent, the industry has been blessed with another dignitary, one who not only evokes soul, but understands and abides by it. "I want my music to be more than just good music. I would like it to challenge what is considered popular R&B music today. I want it to bring back good lyrics and real singing that touch people in their hearts, and melodies that stick to their ribs and nourish the soul." And guess what? The universe is ready to welcome that challenge.