After the release of her critically acclaimed debut album, A Change Is Gonna Come, James switched labels from Warner Brothers to Stax Records for her new album, My Soul. It’s her third release, and as she puts it, a reaffirmation of her soul.
“I was signed to Warner for several years and it was a tug of war. I was proud of my first album but everything was a battle and had too many different hands in the pot. With this album I have the complete support of Stax and the freedom to go in and do me and let my soul express itself. I think the voice is the truth and they know that [there is] a raw true talent there at the core of everything,” she says.
James’ raw talent did not protect from a recent heartbreaking situation. She discovered that funds were being stolen from her account. While that type of setback could have broken other artists, James found strength in her faith to handle the situation and continue making soulful music.
“It was disheartening and disappointing but people are who they are. I am God’s child and you don’t touch His anointed. I ain’t gotta do nothing to that person but sit back and let God [handle it], ‘cause they will answer. I know God gave me a gift and no man can take that away,” she says.
James couldn’t be happier now to focus on sharing her rejuvenated soul with the world to prove that she can’t be categorized, trivialized or bamboozled.
“A lot of times when you are considered a soul singer they categorize you as neo-soul and that was never me. When you’re new to some people they think that you should be a certain way, but I’m not new to the music game or the performing aspect. I’ve been doing this for a minute so you are just now coming to my party,” she says.
Welcome to the party. –souleo
