Lee Fields - My World

Year of Release: 2010

Label: Truth and Soul

Genre: Soul / Funk

Music: 4

Sound:4
Format Reviewed:LP (Reissue)



Over the last year or so, I've been on a bit of a Nu Funk/Soul binge - Nu Funk/Soul being what I call the current revival of funk and soul music brought about by mostly modern day artists, with mostly original material.

This movement captures the feeling and authenticity of the late 50s, 60s and 70s but at the same time, subtly modernizes the sound for the ears of today.


I assumed when I bought this album, that Lee Fields was one of these new comers, in spite of his older appearance.  Embarrassingly, I latter learned he's considered a legend by the Soul community and rightfully so, with a voice that ranks up there with greats such as Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding and Bobby Womack.

Although he hasn't achieved the international renown or achieved commercial success of the aforementioned, his rediscovery in the 90s led to recognition of his undeniable talent and subsequent revival of his career.

Lee Field's My World is the result of Truth and Soul's owners/producers, Jeff Silverman and Leon Michels' goal to create an album that captures the classic soul sound as well as being both "tough as nails and sweet as honey".

The production is solid and you'll be hard pressed to find a weak moment on the album - the result of Lee's exquisite voice that is characterized by it's strength, tenderness and emotion.  It would be negligent not to mention his backing band, "The Expressions" which compliments Lee so flawlessly, as the Dap Kings do for Sharon Jones (and Amy Winehouse, although they're not acknowledge by her in the headline).

A deeply soulful affair, as exhibited by the cover of The Supreme's "My World Is Empty (without you babe)", he still demonstrates he bring the funk when so inclined, with the catchy track (that finds itself on on high rotation in my household), "Money I$ King" in which he laments, "it's a sad, sad world, where money is king."  The subtle modernization of music is particularly palpable on the title track "My World", where the bass line has been lifted from Massive Attack's soulful, "Better Things".

Born In A Suit - You'll Be Hard Pressed to Find Lee Fields Attired Otherwise

All in all, it's a very good album and wonderful listening, whether you're just discovering his music for the first time or reliving golden moments from decades past.