Te Quiero - I Want You

CD Review HMV Choice Magazine London UK June 2003

If music is the food of love, then Latin American singer Leslie Paula offers an absolute feast of romantic tunes. Rebecca Dean tunes into the bilingual balladeer.

You may not be familiar with this Latin American singer, but back in her homeland of the US, Leslie Paula is causing something of a stir. Her soaring vocal range and sultry, sexy sounds have landed her center stage on more than one occasion during her career. For two years running, she's performed at the Emmy Night Governors Ball as well as the Oscar Night Governors Ball in 2001. Leslie Paula and her Latin soul band have been performing regularly across the west coast club and festival circuit. But this year she is taking on the big guns - The British Public. " Te Quiero - I Want You is Leslie's first official UK release and she's pulled out all the stops. Armed with an adaptable and admirable three octave vocal range, enabling her to master a myriad musical styles from Pop and Jazz to Latin and R & B.
She shows a great demand of these genres, the first single from the album
"If I Were an Angel" is a romantic duet, featuring the talents of Henry Iglesias. The song is a bilingual of love and the real pull of the album.

Te Quiero - I Want You
CD Review Jazzwise Magazine London UK August 2003

Leslie Paula, the youngest of four children was born into a richly musical family, her grandmother was a Vaudevillian tango singer, her father the renowned Latin jazz vocalist and percussionist Mike Gutierrez who during the 1950's and 1960's performed with the likes of Peggy Lee, Tito Puente, Poncho Sanchez and Pete Escovedo. An infectious mix of Latin Pop and Jazz "Te Quiero - I Want You" proves to be a cut above most Latin fusion albums, due in large part to the sheer presence and vitality of Paula's performance, although the excellent support she receives from her band certainly plays a part. Paula is blessed with huge vocal range, tremendous power and control, with an almost over powering emotive quality that belies the seemingly light weight material, heard to dramatic effect on the ballad "Quisiera ser Angel" (sexily seductive when sung in the original Spanish, ruinously saccharine when recapitulated in English several tracks later- you have been warned)

Peter Quinn - Jazzwise

Te Quiero - I Want You
CD Review www.vivante.co.uk August 2003

Spanish / American singer Leslie Paula is far from well Known on these shores but if there is any justice "Te Quiero - I Want You" will help her gain acceptance and the appreciation that her talent deserves. "Te Quiero - I Want You" is a straight up and down Salsa album. Passion and rhythm are the words that sum up what this music is all about, but lets not forget the great arrangements, watertight horn section and of course Paula's powerful and very sensual voice. "Te Quiero" is a great summer CD, Pour a pimm's (or in my case, a dry sherry) grab your partner and throw off your inhibitions. You wont regret it.

This album is packed with wonderful songs, fast ones and slow burners that would fill any dance floor. One of the many highlights would be "If I Were an Angel" a beautifully sung ballad that gets straight to the heart, everything about "Te Quiero " is top rate, the production, musicianship and musical content.

It's our CD of the month

International Musician 2001

"Leslie Paula is a power house vocalist with a penchant for percussion. Her riveting stage presence and three-octave plus vocal range, combined with her band's stunning musicianship, make for performances that audiences aren't likely to forget. Her band's blend of Salsa and Soul has been building for years."

Latin Beat Magazine - October 2000

"It was Pete Escovedo who first told me about Leslie Paula. With a Las Vegas polish, this powerful Salsa and Soul singer left a strong impression at Mr. E's in Alameda, CA. Supported by a top-notch ensemble, she's witty and charismatic and kept a spirited crowd glued to the dance floor."

......Desde La Bahia by Jesse "Chuy" Varela

CD Review - Latin Style Magazine - April 2000

"This collection of love tunes and Salsa music such as the title track,
"Te Quiero," showcases Ms. Paula's command of the genre and of her highly developed voice. The fact that she sings in both English and Spanish, makes this album that much more enticing."

......Walter Martinez, Latin Style Magazine

CD Review - Latin Style Magazine - December 1999

"Leslie Paula brings you quality, honesty an integrity when she interprets these Holiday classic songs. Paula's sultry and sexy voice infuses the holiday songs with maturity and sophistication."

......Walter Martinez, Latin Style Magazine

Nosotros News - 1998

"Leslie Paula is a premium, versatile vocalist, it's hard not to respond to her enchanting stage presence, vocal quality and style."

......Lina Madero, Nosotros News

The L.A. Jazz Scene

"Leslie Paula is an excellent entertainer who knows how to appeal to a crowd and hold their attention and interest."

......Mal Sands, The L.A. Jazz Scene