Lee Fields' fifth studio LP, Emma Jean was released on Truth & Soul this week. Named after his late mother, this is another shining step in a career that has spanned just short of five decades. Lee Fields relentless touring schedule has truly honed his vocal and writing skills and in my opinion Emma Jean is his best LP to date.
'Emma Jean' has a clean and polished feel across the album whilst still holding onto the pure raw Soul sound that other artists would struggle to emulate.
Standout tracks such as 'Just Can't Win', 'Talk To Somebody' and 'Standing By Your Side' are surely set to become recognised standards on the Soul scene. Musically the level of playing across the entire album from The Expressions is also effortlessly accomplished.
There is a nod to the Oklahoma Tulsa sound with covers/reworkings of both JJ Cale's 'Magnolia' and Leon Russell's 'Out In The Woods' (Retitled here as 'In The Woods' The first single released off the LP, 'Magnolia' has a slightly uptempo pace, which alongside Lee's soulful injection give this classic a new lease of life.
Considering that the quality of his last three albums from Truth & Soul has only gone from strength to strength, it's a very exciting thought as to where Lee Fields & The Expressions will go next as I don't think we've quite reached the peak of this soulful mountain just yet!!
Buy Lee Fields & The Expressions - Emma Jean HERE
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