Elmer Lee Fields (born April 26, 1950) is an American

soul The soul is the purported Mind–body dualism, immaterial aspect or essence of a Outline of life forms, living being. It is typically believed to be Immortality, immortal and to exist apart from the material world. The three main theories that ...

singer, sometimes nicknamed "Little JB" for his physical and vocal resemblance with

James Brown James Joseph Brown (May 3, 1933 – December 25, 2006) was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, musician, and record producer. The central progenitor of funk music and a major figure of 20th-century music, he is referred to by Honorific nick ...

. He has recorded with

Kool and the Gang Kool may refer to: People * Kool (surname), surname of Dutch origin * Robert "Kool" Bell (born 1950), American bassist and founder of Kool and the Gang * Roger Kool (1954–2005), Singaporean DJ (Roger Kiew) * Kool DJ Herc (born 1955), Jamaica ...

, Hip Huggers, O. V. Wright, Darrell Banks, and Little Royal. Fields has also worked with musicians such as B. B. King,

Clarence Carter Clarence George Carter (born January 14, 1936) is an American singer, songwriter, musician and record producer. His most successful songs include "Slip Away (Clarence Carter song), Slip Away", "Back Door Santa" (both released 1968), "Patches (Ch ...

, Dr. John,

Tyrone Davis Tyrone Davis (born Tyrone D. Fettson or Tyrone D. Branch, October 3, 1937 – February 9, 2005) (although many sources have his date of birth as May 4, 1938), was an American blues and soul singer with a long list of hit records over more th ...

, Johnny Taylor, Denise LaSalle, Bobby Blue Bland,

Betty Wright Bessie Regina Norris (December 21, 1953 – May 10, 2020), better known by her stage name Betty Wright, was an American soul music, soul and Rhythm and blues, R&B singer, songwriter and background vocalist. Beginning her professional career ...

The Manhattans The Manhattans are an American R&B vocal group. Their songs " Kiss and Say Goodbye", recorded in 1976, and 1980's " Shining Star", both sold millions of copies. The Manhattans have recorded 45 hits on the ''Billboard'' R&B Chart, including tw ...

Little Milton James Milton Campbell Jr. (September 7, 1934 – August 4, 2005), better known as Little Milton, was an American blues singer and guitarist, best known for his List of number-one R&B singles of 1965 (U.S.), number-one R&B single "We're Gonna Ma ...

and

Bobby Womack Robert Dwayne Womack ( ; March 4, 1944 – June 27, 2014) was an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. Starting in the early 1950s as the lead singer of his family musical group the Valentinos and as Sam Cooke's backing guitarist, Womack's ...

. He recorded his first single in 1969 and is still active. His recent work is with The Expressions, including the albums ''Faithful Man'' (2012), ''Special Night'' (2017), and ''It Rains Love'' (2019). In 2014, he provided additional vocals for the

biographical movie, '' Get On Up''.

Early life

Fields was born in

Wilson, North Carolina Wilson is a city in and the county seat of Wilson County, North Carolina, United States. It is the List of municipalities in North Carolina, 23rd-most populous city in North Carolina. Located about east of the capital city of Raleigh, North Car ...

, United States, the son of Emma Jean Fields and John Fields. He was the second child of six children. Fields had an interest in music from an early age. He decided to go to

New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York New York may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * ...

, at the age of 17 to pursue a music career. Although his mother (whom he later named an album in honor of) tried to convince him not to go, she ended up giving him her last 20 dollars. With moves and style inspired by

, Fields soon had the nickname "Little JB". He moved to

Plainfield, New Jersey Plainfield is a City (New Jersey), city in Union County, New Jersey, Union County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Nicknamed "The Queen City",

at the time of his marriage, in his late teens.

Career

Early career (1969–1981)

In 1969, Fields released his first single on the Bedford label, "Bewildered" b/w "Tell Her I Love Her". He recorded "Gonna Make Love" on London Records in 1973. That same year, Fields released the popular single, "Let's Talk It Over" b/w "She's a Love Maker". Fields released "Everybody Gonna Give Their Thing Away to Somebody (Sometime)" b/w "East Coast Rapper," on SoundPlus in 1975. Most of the second half of the 1970s Fields spent cutting singles for Angle 3 Records, including "The Bull Is Coming" b/w "Funky Screw". In 1979 he released a full-length album with Angle 3 called ''Let's Talk It Over''. In the 1980s, disco became increasingly popular, at the expense of soul. Venues that had previously booked Fields now booked DJs instead. Fields moved into real estate in

Newark, New Jersey Newark ( , ) is the List of municipalities in New Jersey, most populous City (New Jersey), city in the U.S. state of New Jersey, the county seat of Essex County, New Jersey, Essex County, and a principal city of the New York metropolitan area. ...

, in order to provide for his family.

Blues and dance music (1990s–2008)

In the 1990s, Fields returned singing soul-blues on the Southern circuit. He signed with Mississippi-based Ace Records and debuted ''Enough Is Enough''. On Ace, Fields released ''Coming to Tear the Roof Down'' in 1995 and ''Dreaming Big Time'' in 1996 in which he played keyboards and synthesizers. Later that year Fields signed to Desco Records founded by Gabriel Roth and Phillip Lehman. Sharon Jones, who was signed to Desco also at that time, sang backup for Fields on an early single. Fields was featured on the debut album ''Gimmie the Paw'' by the label's band The Soul Providers in 1997. He released several singles with Desco and in 1999, released a full-length album ''Let's Get a Groove On''. Desco later split into

Daptone Records Daptone Records is a funk and soul independent record label based in Brooklyn, New York. Best known as the home of Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings and Charles Bradley, the label boasts a roster which includes Menahan Street Band, The Budos Ban ...

and Soul Fire, and Fields eventually recorded for them both. "Give Me a Chance" and "Shot Down" were two 7" singles he released on Daptone over 2001-2002 and in late 2002, the album ''Problems'', on Soul Fire. In early 2005 he performed on "Stranded In Your Love" included on

Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings were an American funk and soul music, soul band signed to Daptone Records. They were part of a Retro-soul, revival movement of mid-1960s to mid-1970s style funk and soul music. They released their debut album Dap D ...

’ '' Naturally' LP''. Another duet, "Will You Be True", was included on the 2014 remaster of Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings' debut album, '' Dap Dippin' with Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings''. In 2006 French House DJ

Martin Solveig Martin Laurent Picandet (; born 22 September 1976), better known by his stage name Martin Solveig (), is a French DJ, singer, songwriter and record producer. He hosts a weekly radio show called ''C'est La Vie'' on radio stations worldwide, incl ...

approached him to do a dance track. They toured in France and recorded the songs "

Jealousy Jealousy generally refers to the thoughts or feelings of Emotional insecurity, insecurity, fear, and concern over a relative lack of possessions or safety. Jealousy can consist of one or more emotions such as anger, resentment, inadequacy, he ...

", " Everybody", " I'm a Good Man", and " I Want You".

The Expressions (2009–present)

Truth and Soul Records recorded a single with Fields that later became "Honey Dove". Lee Fields & The Expressions released "My World" for Truth and Soul in 2009. In 2011 he followed up with the album titled ''Treacherous''. After releasing ''Faithful Man'' in 2012 with Truth and Soul, the singer toured globally. He then released two albums ''Emma Jean'' in 2014 and ''Special Night'' in 2017 (on Big Crown Records by former Truth and Soul co-founder

Leon Michels Leon Marcus Michels () (born 1982) is an American Record producer, music producer, Music executive, record executive, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist best known as the leader of the eclectic soul project El Michels Affair and co-founder of ...

). In January 2019, Lee Fields & The Expressions released their latest single, "It Rains Love". Fields released an album, also entitled ''It Rains Love'', in April 2019.''

In popular culture

Fields' songs have frequently been sampled by R&B and hip hop artists such as J. Cole,

Slum Village Slum Village is an American hip hop group from Detroit, Michigan. The group was formerly composed of the rappers Baatin (1974–2009), T3, and rapper / producer J Dilla (1974–2006). J Dilla left in 2001 to pursue a solo career with MCA Record ...

Travie McCoy Travis Lazarus "Travie" McCoy (born August 5, 1981) is an American rapper and singer-songwriter. He is the co-founder and lead vocalist of the rap rock band Gym Class Heroes, which he formed in 1997 with then-fellow teenager Matt McGinley, afte ...

and

Travis Scott Jacques Bermon Webster III (born April 30, 1991), known professionally as Travis Scott (formerly stylized as Travi$ Scott), is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. Scott has had five number-one hits on the U.S. ''Bil ...

sampled the track "All I Need" from the album ''Emma Jean'' on his song "

Antidote An antidote is a substance that can counteract a form of poisoning. The term ultimately derives from the Greek term φάρμακον ἀντίδοτον ''(pharmakon antidoton)'', "(medicine) given as a remedy". An older term in English which is ...

". He has lent his vocals, writing skills and been the featured artist on albums of such artists like El Michels Affair, Kraak & Smaak,

Bliss n Eso Bliss n Eso (formerly known as Bliss n' Esoterikizm) are an Australian hip hop trio based in Sydney. The group consists of emcees Bliss and Eso, and DJ Izm, and they are currently signed to Melbourne record label Illusive Sounds, and are manag ...

and Wax Tailor. Fields' music can be found on various movies, TV shows and video games. In 2008 he performed "You Don't Know What You Mean (To a Love Like Me)" for the soundtrack of the movie ''

Soul Men ''Soul Men'' is a 2008 American musical comedy film directed by Malcolm D. Lee, and starring Samuel L. Jackson, Bernie Mac, Sharon Leal and Sean Hayes, released on November 7, 2008. It was one of three Mac's films that were released after ...

''. Fields's track "Honey Dove" was featured during '' Law & Order: Special Victims Unit''s thirteenth season in 2011 (Episode 10, "Spiraling Down"). The track "Honey Dove" was featured in Season 6 of '' American Dad'' in 2011 (Episode 12, "You Debt Your Life"). The song "Wish You Were Here" featured in the second season of the legal drama'' Suits'' in 2012 (Episode 8, "Rewind"). In 2014, Fields provided additional vocals for the

biographical movie, '' Get On Up''. The song "Ladies" was played in the movie ''

Magic Mike XXL ''Magic Mike XXL'' is a 2015 American comedy-drama film directed by Gregory Jacobs, written by Reid Carolin and starring Channing Tatum, Matt Bomer, Kevin Nash, and Joe Manganiello. A sequel to 2012's ''Magic Mike'', the film premiered in Holl ...

'' in 2015. In 2016, the song "Could Have Been" was featured on the TV series ''

Atlanta Atlanta ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Georgia (U.S. state), most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia. It is the county seat, seat of Fulton County, Georg ...

'', he was featured as the musical guest on ''

CBS This Morning ''CBS This Morning'' (''CTM'') is an American morning television program that aired on CBS from November 30, 1987 to October 29, 1999, and again from January 9, 2012 to September 6, 2021. On November 1, 1999, the original incarnation was repla ...

'', and the song "I'll Be Around" was on the soundtrack of the movie ''

Keeping Up with the Joneses "Keeping up with the Joneses" is an idiom in many parts of the English-speaking world referring to the comparison of oneself to one's neighbor, where the neighbor serves as a benchmark for social class or the accumulation of material goods. Fail ...

''. A brief excerpt of "It Rains Love" can be heard during the end titles of the 2020 BBC series ''Trigonometry''. In 2023, the song "Forever" was featured in highest rated

Super Bowl LVII Super Bowl LVII was an American football game played to determine the champion of the National Football League (NFL) for the 2022 season. The American Football Conference (AFC) champion Kansas City Chiefs defeated the National Football Confere ...

commercial, also titled "Forever," for the dog food company The Farmer's Dog. Fields' recordings were referenced in several episodes of the 2023 American

Arnold Schwarzenegger Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger (born July30, 1947) is an Austrian and American actor, businessman, former politician, and former professional bodybuilder, known for his roles in high-profile action films. Governorship of Arnold Schwarzenegger, ...

television series, ''

FUBAR Military slang is a colloquial language used by and associated with members of various military forces. This page lists slang words or phrases that originate with military forces, are used exclusively by military personnel or are strongly associa ...

''.

Personal life

Fields and his wife Christine are the parents of four adult children. They reside in

Plainfield, New Jersey Plainfield is a City (New Jersey), city in Union County, New Jersey, Union County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Nicknamed "The Queen City",

Discography

''Let's Talk It Over'' (1979)

''Problems'' (2002)

Lee Fields and The Expressions released the album ''Problems'' in 2002 with Truth and Soul Records.

''My World'' (2009)

'' My World'' is an album released in 2009 with Truth and Soul Records, in collaboration with the group The Expressions.

''Faithful Man'' (2012)

Lee Fields released the album ''Faithful Man'' in 2012 with Truth and Soul Records.

''Emma Jean'' (2014)

Lee Fields released the album ''Emma Jean'' in 2014 with Truth and Soul Records.

''Special Night'' (2017)

Lee Fields and The Expressions released the album ''Special Night'' in 2017 with Big Crown Records.

''It Rains Love'' (2019)

Lee Fields and The Expressions released the album ''It Rains Love'' in 2019 with Big Crown Records.

''Sentimental Fool'' (2022)

Lee Fields released the album ''Sentimental Fool'' in 2022 with Daptone Records.

References

External links

*
A feature with an interview at Soul Express

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fields, Lee 1950 births Living people American soul singers American rhythm and blues singer-songwriters African-American songwriters 20th-century African-American male singers 20th-century American male singers 20th-century American singers American blues singers Singer-songwriters from North Carolina Singer-songwriters from New Jersey Musicians from Plainfield, New Jersey Daptone Records artists Ace Records (United States) artists 21st-century African-American musicians American male singer-songwriters Desco Records artists