by Patrick Pilch (@pratprilch)
Lee Fields is nothing short of a living legend. Dubbed “Little JB” for his likeness to James Brown, the singer continues to carry the torch of soul and funk on his invigorating 19th studio album Sentimental Fool. Fields’ latest regroups The Dap-Kings, lead by Gabriel Roth aka Bosco Mann, for a pointedly classic occasion. If 2020’s Let’s Get a Groove On were any indicator, Fields may be interested in an archetypical, more authentic sound following his departure from Triple Crown. Although a reissue from 1998, there’s still a sharp contrast between Groove’s rough funk cuts and the cleaner hip-hop production on 2019’s It Rains Love. With Mann as bandleader and Benny Trokan on bass, Lee Fields offers a rich dive into model first rate soul and Motown on Sentimental Fool.
Even less The Expressions, Fields maintains an unrivaled energy. The 72 year-old singer pines for his lover’s company on “Ordinary Lives,” balances a demanding relationship on “Two Jobs,” and digs into the funk on the penultimate shaker “Your Face Before My Eyes.” The cuts on Sentimental Fool capture a retro sound, energy, and ethos - an impressive accomplishment unique to the talent of Lee Fields. “I Should Have Let You Be” is an all-timer, the chorus hits each turn around. The key change bridge back into the third chorus is remarkably effective and a stirring, dramatic moment before the song’s fadeout conclusion.
It’s incredibly cool to watch Lee Fields effortlessly operate as a veteran singer and songwriter. At 72, he’s still at the top of his game, performing with a conviction oft unmatched by imitators and contemporaries alike. Sentimental Fool might find him in the throes of stress and uncertain heartache, but one fact remains a constant: there are few current roots-driven soul singers operating in a modern framework with the consistency and capability of Lee Fields.