Shaila Prospere
Shaila Prospere is a UK-based soul and R&B singer-songwriter from East London. She draws inspiration from her parents' love of country and reggae music, as well as Motown, Philly soul, and artists like Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, Anita Baker, Whitney Houston, and Luther Vandross.
Prospere debuted with her album In My Shoes in 2000, released in the UK and Japan, which earned critical acclaim for its storytelling lyrics and haunting melodies produced by The Full Crew. She performed at London's Jazz Café to sold-out crowds and later worked as a songwriter for other artists' projects.
Her second album, Back to Life (2017), topped UK soul charts like Mi-Soul and featured the single "Let Me Be Yours" on Rhythm Records; collaborators included producers Les Jones, Everis Pellius, and Phil Nugent. She released her third album, Under My Skin, in 2020, preceded by chart-topping singles "Plus One," "You're Rich," and "Let's Be." She's performed with legends like Gwen Guthrie, Omar, and Janet Kay.
Beyond music, Prospere is an enthusiastic painter creating contemporary art, with plans for exhibitions. As an independent artist, she maintains an active presence on platforms like Instagram (@shaila_prospere) and continues releasing soulful tracks appreciated in the global R&B scene.
In My Shoes
Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Shaila Prospere
Bass, Drum Programming – Michael Daley
Keyboards – Michael Daley, Rickardo Reid
Producer [Produced By] – Michael Daley
Recorded By [Recorded], Mixed By – Michael Daley
Written-By – M. Daley, S. Prospere, W. Lawes
2 Reoccurring Dream
Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Rickardo Reid, Shaila Prospere
Bass, Drum Programming – Michael Daley
Keyboards – Rickardo Reid
Producer [Produced By] – Michael Daley
Recorded By [Recorded], Mixed By – Michael Daley
Written-By – M. Daley, S. Prospere
3 Sorry
Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Marsha, Sean Cummings (2), Shaila Prospere
Bass, Drum Programming – Michael Daley, Wayne Lawes
Keyboards – Michael Daley, Rickardo Reid
Post Production [Additional Production By] – Wayne Lawes
Producer [Produced By] – Michael Daley, Wayne Lawes
Recorded By [Recorded], Mixed By – Wayne Lawes
Written-By – M. Daley, S. Prospere, W. Lawes
4 How Much
Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Shaila Prospere
Bass, Drum Programming – Michael Daley, Wayne Lawes
Guitar – Stanley Andrew
Keyboards – Rickardo Reid
Producer [Produced By] – Michael Daley, Wayne Lawes
Recorded By [Recorded], Mixed By – Michael Daley, Wayne Lawes
Written-By – M. Daley, R. Reid, S. Prospere, S. Andrew, W. Lawes
5 Mistakes
Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Shaila Prospere
Bass, Drum Programming – Michael Daley
Keyboards – Michael Daley
Producer [Produced By] – Michael Daley
Recorded By [Recorded], Mixed By – Michael Daley
Written-By – Belmaati, Francis, Hansen
6 Imagine That
Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Sean Cummings (2), Shaila Prospere
Bass, Drum Programming – Michael Daley
Guitar – Stanley Andrew
Keyboards – Rickardo Reid
Producer [Produced By] – Michael Daley
Recorded By [Recorded], Mixed By – Michael Daley
Written-By – M. Daley, S. Prospere
7 Good Guys
Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Shaila Prospere
Bass, Drum Programming – Michael Daley
Keyboards – Rickardo Reid
Mixed By – Wayne Lawes
Producer – Michael Daley
Recorded By – Michael Daley
Written-By – M. Daley, S. Prospere, W. Lawes
8 Do What I Do
Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Shaila Prospere
Bass, Drum Programming – TuffStuff
Keyboards – Tuffstuff
Mixed By – Michael Daley
Producer [Produced By] – TuffStuff
Recorded By – Tuffstuff
Recorded By [Additional Recording By] – Michael Daley
Written-By – E. Pellius, S. Prospere
9 Found Out
Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Shaila Prospere
Bass, Drum Programming – Michael Daley
Keyboards – Michael Daley
Producer [Produced By] – Michael Daley
Recorded By [Recorded], Mixed By – Michael Daley
Written-By – M. Daley, S. Prospere, W. Lawes
10 Protecting My Heart
Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Shaila Prospere
Bass, Drum Programming – Wayne Lawes
Keyboards – Rickardo Reid
Producer [Produced By] – Wayne Lawes
Recorded By [Recorded], Mixed By – Wayne Lawes
Written-By – M. Daley, S. May, W. Lawes
11 Tell Me Why
Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Shaila Prospere
Bass, Drum Programming – Michael Daley
Guitar – Stanley Andrew
Keyboards – Rickardo Reid
Producer [Produced By] – Michael Daley, Wayne Lawes
Recorded By [Recorded], Mixed By – Michael Daley, Wayne Lawes
Written-By – M. Daley, S. Prospere
12 Crazy
Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Rickardo Reid, Shaila Prospere
Bass, Drum Programming – Michael Daley
Guitar – Stanley Andrew
Keyboards – Michael Daley, Rickardo Reid
Producer [Produced By] – Michael Daley
Recorded By [Recorded], Mixed By – Michael Daley
Written-By – M. Daley, S. Prospere
13 In My Shoes
Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Rickardo Reid, Shaila Prospere
Drum Programming – Michael Daley, Wayne Lawes
Keyboards – Rickardo Reid
Producer [Produced By] – Michael Daley, Wayne Lawes
Programmed By [Bass Programming] – Rickardo Reid
Recorded By [Recorded], Mixed By – Michael Daley, Wayne Lawes
Written-By – M. Daley, R. Reid, S. Prospere, W. Lawes
14 Love's Not A Friend Of Mine
Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Shaila Prospere
Bass, Drum Programming – Michael Daley
Keyboards – Rickardo Reid
Producer [Produced By] – Michael Daley
Recorded By [Recorded], Mixed By – Michael Daley
Written-By – M. Daley, S. Prospere
Label: Full Crew – FC CD01
Format: CD, Album
Country: UK
Released: 2000
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Soul, Contemporary R&B
Shaila Prospere's debut album, In My Shoes, is an acclaimed UK street soul/contemporary R&B record praised for its quality songwriting, strong melodies, and Prospere's expressive, top-notch vocals. Critics and fans alike highlight its refreshing subtlety in a period of over-sensationalized R&B.
The album is noted for a "back in the day" feel, where melodies and songwriting are as crucial as the beats. Reviewers describe it as a distinctly soulful and "mellow" collection of tracks with a laid-back groove.
Prospere's vocal ability is consistently praised. Critics have described her voice as "excellent" and "top notch," noting how she "mesmerized" audiences with her control and stage presence.
Production chores were handled by the UK's Full Crew, resulting in a cohesive and impressive collection of UK soul music.
While rooted in soul and R&B, the album incorporates various influences, including an 80s UK feel mixed with contemporary flavors and samples from classic artists like the Jones Girls.
It was received with critical acclaim in both the UK and Japan and is considered a classic within the soul radio community, with tracks still played years after its initial release.