Shadi Toloui-Wallace - Debut Album: Leather Bound Book

This project has been in the back of my mind for as long as I can remember. But like any kid who has some far-fetched dream, I never thought this would actually happen. However, it was one year spent living in Haifa, Israel, that re-ignited my deepest and oldest desire to express myself, my beliefs, and what I stand for.

With the pilot light for this project going steady, and like most other success stories, “everything else fell into place” (clichés aren’t clichés because they’re not true). I arrived home from Israel with itchy fingers and a wild idea, and thankfully my incredible parents shared my vision and enthusiasm. Soon after we became friends with a musician and producer named Louie Shelton who had worked with big names such as Seals & Crofts, The Jackson Five, The Mama’s and the Papa’s; and it wasn’t long until Louie offered to work with me in producing my first album.

Over the following six months I found wonderful friends and mentors in Louie and his wife Donnie, both talented musicians who not only believed in the project enough to take it on as their own, but also became a part of the family with their love and good humour.

With the Shelton’s on board, the months of hard work and prayer turned what had previously been a pie in the sky into a pie in the oven. The endless commitment and passion of mine and Louie’s family made this project far more than just my personal endeavour – it has become something that each of us has a right to be proud of.

Whether it was sitting behind the control board, lending their voice, or being an impromptu cheerleading team, every Shelton and Toloui-Wallace gave so much of themselves to the process from beginning to end and there are no words of thanks sufficient.

On that note we bring to you Leather Bound Book, a collection of Baha’i prayers and songs developed over a lifetime of devotion to my faith.