Having never heard his previous two releases (52nd Street and Victor), I can say that this latest release has already convinced me that Victor Fields may just be arguably my vocal "find of the year." Armed with crisp, smooth, and velvety vocals and appropriately silky instrumental accompaniment, including stellar contributions from other superstars joining Lorber and Camozzi namely Richard Elliott and Rick Braun, Fields stamps his own identity on many familiar covers here. Check out his commanding interpretations of "Lovely Day," "Walking in Rhythm," "Creepin’," and the beloved Marvin Gaye’s "What’s Goin’ On."
Some will immediately detect some resemblance between Fields’ style and that of crooners Will Downing, the late great Luther Vandross, and Al Jarreau. They would be right, but make no mistake, Fields can paint his own images for your late-night sexy soul rendezvous with your love interest. One can truly sense that Fields is in touch from within with each tune and strives to share that feeling with his listeners. He succeeds.... easily.
I could point out each tune’s strong points, but you really have to experience this groovefest for yourself. I will say that each tune shows this vocal master’s grasp on what really moves a smooth jazzer. Some R&B fans have been heard to denounce smooth jazz for what they erroneously perceive as its shortage of quality vocals. I do beg to strenuously differ. When you think of Patti Austin, George Benson, George Duke, and countless others, you wonder: To whom are these so-called critics referring? Add to that fine company of vocalists one Victor Fields, and you just may conclude that those critics can’t possibly be on our planet! Victor Fields.... one name to remember, one incredible voice to experience.
