You’d be forgiven a few years ago if you heard a Lee Fields song and thought it was somebody else: O.V. Wright, The Delfonics, or–of course–James Brown. But now, with the release of Emma Jean, there is no mistaking a Lee Fields track. A distinct soulful sound and a grown style has been forged between him and The Expressions. His 45 years of recording this music, 5 years deep now with Truth & Soul–something has clarified. « He’s 65 years old, » says Leon Michels, co-owner of Truth & Soul and the man with the production credit on Emma Jean. « he’s so focused, and has been working non-stop–he’ssinging the best he ever has. » Emma Jean shows this progression and may prove that Fields, The Expressions, and Truth & Soul may be no longer interested in being contemporary soul music royalty. Instead, they seem more motivated to push this music in new directions and explore it’s next steps.