Here at ETS, we love all types of music. I grew up listening to everything except country music. I think we all get tired of listening to the same type of musical genre, and I think we all have different tastes in music. I do not want to be labeled as an Indie blogger exclusively, even though that is what I am mostly into. With that being said, I introduce to the entire ETS Nation to (drum roll please): Lee Fields & The Expressions. Lee Fields was an unknown 70’s funk singer who never had much success. He has released two albums and has been featured on numerous compilations with Daptone Records. When you play the album, you can close your eyes and imagine: The song “Do You Love Me Like You Say You Do” blaring out of a smoke filled Cadillac with red leather seats, while riding shotgun with the windows rolled down. You’re wearing a black velvet hat and driving to a dance on a Saturday night in the 1970’s. If you can dig that, then you will dig the latest Lp entitled, “My World”. Many R&B artists try to duplicate or cover older classic hits. They try and come up short because they try to keep the old “sound,” but it always sounds new. I can think of Boyz II Men releasing their Lp, “A Journey Through Hitsville USA”, which was horrible in my opinion. Lee Fields’ new record has an authentic sound and his voice is spot on! His voice is much like James Brown and the arrangements have a Curtis Mayfield sound, which is a winning combination. Even the instrumental track, “The Expressions Theme” is tha shiznit (to quote Snoop Dogg). He even tackles the classic Holland-Dozier-Holland song, “My World Is Empty Without You” made famous by Diana Ross & The Supremes. This classic song was masterfully re-done in a way that almost makes you forget that it is a cover. His song “Money I$ King” is also reminiscent of the O’Jays classic, “For The Love Of Money”, which talks about how money destroys people and families.
If you play this Lp and love it as much as I do, then you may also want to check out Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, which also have a very similar sound. Raphael Saadiq released an Lp, “The Way I See It”, which in my opinion was the best CD of 2008. But that has a very Motown sound while the Lp from Fields has a very dark funk sound, which is what I love so much about it. These artists are not climbing the Billboard charts or getting airplay on MTV or the radio, yet they add something new with an old familiarity that makes us feel good and takes us back to a more simple time. Be sure to support these artists because they are truly what music is about: staying true to yourself, your music and your artistry! Money may be King, but for at least a week, Lee Field & The Expressions will share the crown.
Top 5
1. Do You Love Me (Like You Say You Do) (My World)
2. Money I$ King (My World)
3. My World Is Empty Without You (My World)
4. You Don’t Know What You Mean (Daptone 7” Singles Collection)
5. I Don’t Know Where I’m Going (Problems)
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