Album Review: Kelli-Leigh, Legacy

It’s a long way to the top if you wanna rock ‘n’ roll as the late great Bon Scott once noted and while the music of chart busting dance pop artist Kelli-Leigh might belong in a different genre, we think the south Londoner would certainly agree with the sentiment. Over the last decade plus, the singer earned her stripes as both a backing singer for the likes of Adele and being the uncredited voice behind two number one hits over in the UK (Duke Dumont’s ‘I Got U’ and Secondcity’s ‘I Wanna Feel’) and now she’s ready to take the spotlight herself with her debut LP.

The product of years worth of blood, sweat and tears, Legacy is a record about hope, dreams and heart and features a clutch of hits waiting to happen. Standouts include the irrepressible ‘Do You Wanna Be Loved Like This?’ which has shades of Chaka Khan’s evergreen ‘Ain’t Nobody’ and the fiendishly catchy ‘Feelin’ U’ which is driven by a sample of the Tim Deluxe club classic ‘It Just Won’t Do.’

Best of all is recent single ‘Elevate.’ A feel good, empowering floor filler that fans of Jess Glynne and Clean Bandit are sure to bust a move to, the tune really showcases her versatile vocals.

At 16 tracks, Legacy is a little on the long side, but overall the impeccable production and Kelli-Leigh’s ability to sing the phone-book papers over any cracks.

7/10