Leela James returns to us with soulful sounds that swim in your ears and are perfect for grooving to in the summer time. Her newest release, My Soul, allows Ms. James to stand out as one of the authentic soul singers of this decade. My Soul is uniquely hers, more personable than her debut commercial release A Change Is Gonna Come. The passion present in her voice this time around is reminiscent of fellow soul singers Betty Wright, Aretha Franklin, and Tina Turner. Songs like I Ain't New To This (her explanation as to why she is still holding her own in the game), I Want It All (the common elements for a seemingly perfect life), Party All Night (tinged with just a bit of Marvin Gaye flair), Tell Me You Love Me (a desperate lover's plea), and Mr. Incredible... (featuring soul crooner Raheem Devaughn) all fuse to create an album which is worthy of recognition as a stand-out record of the year. Don't sleep.