|
PHIL FIELD (b. Philip Hunter Field aka Philip Field) is an American composer, multi-instrumentalist, synth programmer, and record producer. He was born and raised in East Orange, New Jersey. He attended The Pingry School and studied classical piano at Oberlin Conservatory of Music.
Phil's songs have been popular with the public as well as with other musicians. He co-wrote his first big hit, "Are You Single" by Aurra, in 1981. The song peaked at number 16 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and house music guru Marshall Jefferson included the song as the first track on his Salsoul Records compilation, "Foundations of House."
As a writer, performer, and musical director for the group Mtume from 1982 - 1986, Phil co-wrote six songs for the band, including "Green Light", which reached number 66 in the US. The group's album, "Juicy Fruit" was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. When Gavin Edwards of Rolling Stone asked Snoop Dogg and Dam Funk, "What's a funk record that doesn't exist, but you wish it did?", the response was, "A record with Junie Morrison and Mtume's band together: Philip Field on keyboards. Just imagine 'Juicy Fruit' mixed with 'Funky Worm'."
Phil co-produced seven songs on Roy Ayers' 1985 Columbia Records album, "You Might Be Surprised." He co-wrote the single,"Hot," from that album-- it's the intro to Michael Jackson's uncut video of "The Way You Make Me Feel." He co-wrote "How Many Ways" from Toni Braxton's multi-platinum debut album. It was released as the album's final single on a double A-side, along with "I Belong to You", and it peaked at number 6 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
His songs, and his sound, have been sampled often-- on hits featuring The Notorious B.I.G., Alicia Keys, Jennifer Lopez, Jay-Z and many others. His collaborations include a wide range of artists – Gwen Guthrie, Mavis Staples, The Bar-Kays, Nancy Wilson, Gerald LeVert—and encompass many genres, from Broadway's James Naughton to R&B/Hip Hop artist Mary J. Blige. His film and television credits include feature films "Native Son," "Jason's Lyric" and "Panther," Universal TV's "New York Undercover," and HBO's "Divorce."
Phil writes and produces with his wife, Dee Jackson Field. Their production company, Jackson Field Music, released its first EP "#deejacksonfieldproject," in 2017. Their latest single, "Here We Go" by the Phil Field Band," is scheduled for release on June 26, 2022.
|
