Eran James www.eranjames.com
Soul has no colour line or age barrier. It’s about truth. It’s a spirit. It’s an attitude. It’s either there, or it’s not. Eran James has it. He is a 15-year-old kid with an extraordinary vocal gift. Eran James has soul. Forget about neo-retro, blurred genres, old or nu-skool. This is true school. On Reviewing The Situation, his debut album due in September, Eran James slips comfortably, masterfully, into 13 soul classics and obscurities. As he interprets James Brown’s dark and mournful Forever Suffering, or George McRae’s levitated love jam I Get Lifted, Eran James searches for the essence in every line. “I listen for the truth and the meaning of the lyrics,’’ Eran says. “This music has such depth and emotion. You have to believe every word. You have to be genuine.” The album was produced by local Australian producer Shane Monopoli, who doubles as Eran’s manager, he brings a real-deal, organic production to Reviewing The Situation, enhancing Eran’s inthe-pocket vocal delivery. “When you hear Eran for the fi rst time you will think you are listening to a young Michael Jackson or Stevie Wonder” Shane says, “Eran doesn’t sound like he is trying to replicate their sound, but the tones will remind you of them.” In his recent overseas trips, people couldn’t believe Eran’s age and that he is white! “He has such a soulful tone to his voice. And now on this record sounds very much like the late Donny Hathaway.” “People think I haven’t experienced the emotions I sing about because I’m too young,” he says. “They say I haven’t lived, I haven’t loved.” “But when I sing, I go deep into my inner feelings. I put myself in the situation of a loss, a split, love or that crazy feeling of being with a girl. I get in that zone and I express myself the best way I can,” Eran says. I’m All Alone, an original track written by Eran and Shane, with a creeping bassline and heartfelt themes of isolation, does just that.
Eran James has been singing since age 8. Born and raised in Melbourne, Australia, Eran was regularly hounded to perform at family get-togethers. “I would hide in the laundry or behind a door,’’ he laughs. Two years later, Eran stopped hiding, sought vocal lessons, and played on any stage that welcomed him. At 10-years-old, Eran’s live act consisted of a raw vocal, backing tape, two chairs and a table. “I’d sit at that table singing to an imaginary girl on the other chair,” Eran says. “It was classic!’’ His big break came 4 years ago at the age of 11, when he was discovered at a local talent show as the Guest Artist by his now Manager and Producer Shane Monopoli “Even back then Eran was amazing, I knew he was special and destined to be a star” says Shane. Eran James signed a recording deal then with Shane’s lable Heaven Music and in 2002, they joined forces with Universal Music Australia. A prolific songwriter, Eran and Shane went to the UK and US to collaborate with international hitmakers and producers, The Ignorants (Craig David) and Guy Roche (Christina Aguilera, Brandy).While overseas one of Eran’s tracks got in the hands of the producers who work with Missy Elliott, when Missy walked into the studio and heard Eran’s voice her reaction was “Who is this? He is amazing, I have to work with him. Those sessions will surface on Eran’s second album. Meanwhile, Reviewing The Situation is a stellar debut with unique vocal signatures, understated nuance and, most importantly, utmost respect for the original songs. It was Eran’s natural love of hip hop that led him to explore the history of the origins of this music. On the album you can look forward to some rare cuts from legends including Al Green, Aaron Neville, Camille Yarbrough, Shuggie Otis, Bill Withers and many more. Eran had the privilege to meet up with the God Father of Soul, James Brown, when he was recently in the country. “I endorse you, you’ve got the real soul man” as said by the man himself, James Brown. Eran concurs on one track, a gritty re-telling of an Isley Brothers classic. “I’ve got work to do,’’ he sings with fresh purpose. “I’ve got a job, baby.” And with that, Eran James gets down to the business. Soulfully.
