Ava Leigh
Notable for being the first and probably last reggae singer to come out of Chester, England, Ava Leigh managed to win over the cynical music press thanks to the authentic sounds of her debut album. Born in 1986, Leigh (real name Hayley Carline) grew up on a musical diet of her mother's lovers rock and ska collection. At a holiday talent contest she discovered her singing abilities, so she joined the school choir and jazz band. Declining an offer from her parents to send her to stage school on the grounds she wanted to do things her own way, she soon signed a deal with 141a Management. Initially approaching record companies with an R&B sound, she soon converted to reggae after being introduced to the Abu Shanti Sound System by manager Raymond Stevenson. After meeting the A&R man who discovered Jamiroquai, she signed a deal with Virgin Records and began work on her debut album. Co-written with Nick Manasseh, Future Cut (Lily Allen), and Feng Shui, it was recorded in such diverse places as a garden shed in Glastonbury, a basement studio in Brixton, and Harry J's famous studio in Kingston, Jamaica, with Sly & Robbie. Influenced by Marcia Griffiths and Dennis Brown, Turned on Underground was released in 2008 and features the singles "La La La" and "Mad About the Boy," as well as "After Tonight," a duet with Finley Quaye.
© Jon O'Brien /TiVo
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Discography
9 album(s) • Sorted by Bestseller
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There's Always Michigan
Country - Released by Nicholsworth Music on 11 May 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Over the Bridge
Reggae - Released by Roots Garden Records on 1 Jun 2006
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Mad About The Boy
Pop - Released by Virgin Records on 1 Jan 2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Mad About The Boy
Pop - Released by Virgin Records on 24 Sep 2007
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Live Session (Live Session)
Reggae - Released by Virgin Records on 1 Jan 2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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