(May 12, 2025) Leela James’ music entered into my listening radar beginning with the blazing funky dance track, “Something’s Got a Hold on Me” from the 2012 release, Loving You More…In the Spirit of Etta James. While the Etta tribute took some liberties in the arrangements from the original versions, Leela successfully channeled one of her heroes – a highly recognized and decorated R&B innovator.
From that moment on, Leela’s rich, raspy voice clung to my ears, with her keen narratives blending classic and cutting-edge soul. As she reaches the two-decade mark in her career, scoring several top 25 adult R&B singles, SoulTracks has shared appreciation on many occasions for Leela’s body of no-nonsense stories and fearless attitude.
On the latest First Listen installment, Leela praises a perfect love scenario entitled “Right on Time” (Shesangz/BMG). Trust wins 100 percent, slowly building up to sheer sensual excitement in expressing a firm satisfaction guaranteed for a romantic partner’s right moves:
“Say less/What’s understood ain’t gotta’ be spoken/
Say less/I’m down for you baby, don’t you notice/
Say less/Cause all the love you give to me is right on time.”
As the production force on several tracks for Leela (“Whatcha’ Done Now,” “Complicated”), keyboardist Rex Rideout lays out a deep bass groove for the other musicians, including co-songwriter Ethan Ridings on guitar. And Rideout is very sensitive to Leela’s most familiar musical zone by framing modern soundtracks with nods to classic soul.
“Right on Time” presents still another opportunity for Leela to handle her artistic business and another reliable listening experience on the SoulTracks pages.
By Peggy Oliver
