Faithful Man sounds like a lost gem from the Stax or Hi Records vaults. And had Lee Fields actually recorded for one of those venerable labels back in 1969, he might have been a star. Instead he flew just below the radar as a lesser-known soul belter who spent years on the chitlin’ circuit and waged multiple comebacks; he thankfully hasn’t changed things much over time. His second release for the fine vintage soul revival label Truth & Soul is a solid showcase for his still-considerable vocal skills. His crack band The Expressions offer gritty yet sophisticated arrangements featuring horns, backup singers, occasional strings, and a mighty rhythm section that complements his deep, rich tone. He pleads and growls through heavy, world-weary ballads of heartache and loss, like “You’re the Kind of Girl,” “Wish You Were Here,” and the gut-busting title track, while his slow-burning cover of The Rolling Stones’ “Moonlight Mile” is an unexpected treat. Like Sharon Jones and Charles Bradley, Fields is an authentic old-school soul man who's survived into the modern age. This is timeless and powerful stuff that never goes out of style.