LAWRENCE FIELDS TO THE SURFACE
LAWRENCE FIELDS
TO THE SURFACE
Rhythm N’ Flow Records
Lawrence Fields, piano/composer; Corey Fonville, drums; Yasushi Nakamura, bass.
A native of St. Louis, Missouri and currently based in New York City, pianist Lawrence Fields is making his debut recording for Rhythm N’ Flow Records. After a long swim through the waters of great musicians like Terri Lyne Carrington, Branford Marsalis, and the Sax Supreme Quartet with Chris Potter, Fields is finally coming “To The Surface” with this excellent trio production. Downbeat Magazine has named him a “Rising Star” for the last five consecutive years. That’s pretty impressive. Fields has composed all the music, with the exception of “I Fall in Love Too Easily.” The trio opens with a composition he calls “Parachute.”
It’s the arrangement on the second tune that catches my attention. This composition is called “New Season Blues” and it’s played at a speedy pace, giving Fields time to establish his personality on piano, sometimes soloing while the bass and drums lay out. It’s a smart arrangement. The melody is catchy, with the first five notes reminiscent of a song I heard as a kid. My brain sings along, “When you wish upon ….” Each musician takes time to show-off their mad talents during this presentation, starting with Fields. Yasushi Nakamura, on double bass, takes a masterful solo five minutes into the piece running his bass notes across space like individual firecrackers. Nakamura explodes with creativity. The tune, “Moving On” has Lawrence Fields tickling the piano with busy fingers that tap dance all over the ivory and ebony keys. He plays solo on this one, showing off his harmonic consciousness with the creative chords he chooses. A little over two minutes in, his sidekicks join the mix and fatten the sound.
Their title tune, “To The Surface” builds with crescendos, like blocks stacking solidly atop each other. Fields takes the main solo with Fonville’s drums always coloring the tunes and pushing everyone forward. Nakamura’s bass becomes the nail that locks the pieces into place. I would have enjoyed hearing more of a melody than the constant improvisational solos. It was like the tide rising ominously, then once twenty-feet high, splashing over the guardrail and drenching its surroundings with power and sound. Sometimes you just want to hear a phrase that encourages you to hum along or pat your toe. On the other hand, the melody is quite evident during the tune, “Yasorey.” But it was the tenderness and ease that Fields brought to the tune, “I Fall in Love Too Easily” that really spoke to my heart. Talking about melody, that song has one that’s unforgettable. It also gave me the opportunity to enjoy bassist Yasushi Nakamura during his heartfelt solo.
CD Review by Dee Dee McNeil
Buy Us a Cup of Coffee!
Join the movement in supporting Making a Scene, the premier independent resource for both emerging musicians and the dedicated fans who champion them.
We showcase this vibrant community that celebrates the raw talent and creative spirit driving the music industry forward. From insightful articles and in-depth interviews to exclusive content and insider tips, Making a Scene empowers artists to thrive and fans to discover their next favorite sound.
Together, let’s amplify the voices of independent musicians and forge unforgettable connections through the power of music
Make a one-time donation
Make a monthly donation
Make a yearly donation
Choose an amount
Or enter a custom amount
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearly
