Leila A. – Mustang Johnny (Urb Co Records)
Leila A. is a Floridian singer-songwriter, and on her new long player she mixes up some old school R&B and a little Santana inspired groove-rock. Vocally, she’s been compared to Sade, but the overall effect is neither jazzy-smooth nor overly slick. Indeed, Ms. A. (I’ve no idea what the ‘A’ stands for) brings a wholesome, earthy vibe to the recordings, whilst guitarist Leo Quintero supplies the instrumental polish.

There are a few standout moments. The title track is a rollicking response to the famous Mack Rice song of almost the same name, and showcases the band’s easy approach to their music. “The Text Doesn’t Lie” gives Quintero the opportunity to shine, and provides a decent indication as to why he’s the guitarist of choice for Jennifer Lopez, Lauryn Hill, Ricky Martin and Shakira.
www.myspace.com/leilaamusicurbco

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