BENTLEYFUNK: janvier 2013

Early early work from Lee Fields – a set originally issued at the end of the 70s, but with a raw funky power that's much more like music from a decade before! The set was a real anomaly at the time, and was passed over for years – but through the decades, it's earned Lee legendary status as one of the few cats who were keeping things hard and funky when the rest of the country was going disco – a reputation that's definitely held up strongly by the gritty tracks in the set! There's a strong echo of southern soul in the music – again the feel of something from years before – and the raw production only seems to make the whole thing sound even better – with an edge that's even different than Fields' better-known work of recent years. The album was done for the tiny Angle 3 label – a company so small that it opted for one of the "stock" images that was given the album by the pressing plant, which gave the album a very unspectacular cover – corrected on this deluxe reissue by the great cover image here. This reissue also features loads of bonus tracks too – other rare Lee Fields singles from over the years – making the package a true testament to his pre-revival genius! Album tracks include "Everybody Gonna Give Their Thing Away (parts 1 & 2)", "Flim Flam", "Wanna Dance", "She's A Lovemaker", "Mighty Mighty Love", and "Let's Talk It Over". Bonus tracks include "Fought For Survival", "Funky Screw", "The Bull Is Coming", "Take Me Back", "You Been Cutting Out On Me", and "Bewildered".

One of my favourite male vocalists with a new album of mainly 'Jazz Covers' with an impressive list of guest artists!

Jeffrey's 'funk' fans from his days with L.T.D. may be a little disappointed but as I love Funk & Jazz in equal measures I think this showcases his unique voice to the max!

1. The Shadow Of Your Smile (Feat. Paul Jackson Jr)
2. Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight
3. Baby, It's Cold Outside - Jeffrey Osborne And Chaka Khan
4. (They Long To Be) Close To You
5. My One And Only Love (Feat. Kamasi Washington)
6. Smile (Feat. George Duke)
7. Teach Me Tonight (Feat. Everette Harp)
8. When I Fall In Love (Feat. Rick Braun)
9. What A Wonderful World
10. Nature Boy (Feat. Walt Fowle)
11. You Don't Know What Love Is (Feat. Rick Braun)
12. A Time For Love (Feat. Kamasi Washington)