North Carolina diva LEJUENE THOMPSON fended some questions about her debut solo album.

LeJuene Thompson

How would you say the music on 'Soul Inspiration' compares with your previous recordings with the Tri-City Singers?

LeJuene: I wanted to hold onto the people who've responded so strongly to my previous work, but also show a side of me that's always been there but never had just the right place to be expressed until now. 'Soul Inspiration' is a little easier - kind of jazzy, with more of a quiet fire/R&B feel. Even the hip hop we do has a smoother edge to it. I believe we got everything we were going for. This is the most complete picture of me - musically and personally - that's ever been shown.

Your husband Cedric is an award winning producer. What was it like working with him on your album?

LeJuene: Cedric and I have had this project in mind for at least 10 years. We really think along the same lines, and when we knew the time was finally right, it was a real joy working together...most of the time. We do have our differences of opinion, but we respect each other and when we work things through we always come out with the best of what we both have to offer.

The track "How Can You Walk Away" about the faithfulness of God is attracting a lot of attention.

LeJuene: I wrote all of the lyrics. It's a very personal story, but also one that came out of circumstances that most of us go through at some time or another: bills due, raising kids...everyday demands and pressures. In my life I was at a place where it seemed to me my career had gone on hold. I honestly didn't know if I was where God meant for me to be - and singing the music he meant for me to sing - or not. But almost as soon as those doubts arose, the title of this song came to me. I believe it was the Lord, asking me straight out, after all he's done for me, how could I even think about walking away from the plans he'd made and was working in my life? You don't have to be a musician to relate to that, either. It's all about who do you really trust when the going gets tough. He gave me all the answer I needed, and it turned into a song!

What are you endeavouring to achieve through your music?

LeJuene: We're called to excellence in all we do, because God is the picture of perfection, and I see music as the common denominator that can bring all people together, initially - churched, unchurched, all denominations, races and creeds. Once you've got them under the same roof, then you have the chance to help them see that it's really God who is the ultimate common denominator of us all. That's the highest calling I could ever hope to achieve.