In 1983, Lionel Richie’s Caribbean-infused hit, “All Night Long,” had listeners worldwide dancing to its infectious rhythm. Fast forward to 2025, and Los Angeles-based bass guitarist Lance Vantile Whitfield has put his own twist on the concept with the energetic and hard-driving single “All Night!” The track is the debut release from his second album, FreeLance.
Describing the sound, Whitfield explains, “It’s Jazz Funk—groovalistic bass-guitar stylings that are actually the lead voice of the music album designed to excite, ignite, and delight the senses.” With this fresh approach, Whitfield blends iconic Funk elements with a touch of R&B and Nu Soul, creating a sound that is uniquely his own.
Whitfield co-wrote and co-produced all the tracks on FreeLance, many in collaboration with his longtime friend DeYon Dobson. Their joint efforts include songs like “Ain’t No Way,” “Flowers,” “Happy,” “Heart and Soul,” “Hot Jam,” “Love Supreme,” “Twilight,” “The Luv I Give” (Part 1), and “Without You.” Other tracks on the album include “All Night!,” “How We Do,” “Never Alone,” and “Run Back.”
Together, the songs present a broad spectrum of Whitfield’s musical influences, offering an immersive listening experience for fans. From his first album, UnBossed, to FreeLance, Whitfield embraces creative freedom, stepping beyond the confines of the music industry’s more genre-specific expectations. Both albums were co-produced by Dobson, and Whitfield designed both album covers. For the FreeLance cover, he chose a favorite childhood photo, symbolizing the newfound artistic freedom he has reclaimed as an independent artist.
Creativity runs in Whitfield’s blood. He is the son of Barbara Grant and Vantile Whitfield, the “Dean of Black Theatre,” who mentored numerous successful Black actors. Growing up surrounded by his father’s influential theatrical work was stimulating, but Whitfield’s own musical path began at age 13 when he received a bass guitar for Christmas from his uncle. Alongside his cousin, who also picked up a guitar, Whitfield started honing his skills, pretending to be the popular L.A. duo, The Brothers Johnson.
This was just the beginning of his musical journey. Whitfield played bass in garage bands and alongside fellow Fairfax High School (Fax-City) students, including Hillel Slovak, Michael Balzary (“Flea”), Jack Irons, and Alain Johannes, who went on to form the Red Hot Chili Peppers. “Hillel was very talented and cool,” Whitfield recalls. “He took the time to introduce me to different styles and more advanced chord structures on the guitar that really opened up my musical thinking.”
After high school, Whitfield played with the band O-ACE, a finalist in the K-ACE Concert in the Park series, alongside Kipper Jones, Tease, and Klymaxx. He later joined Bobby Womack’s nephews in the Funk bands Spoiled Brat and Rhythmic Thrust.
In the 90s, Whitfield and Dobson teamed up to create music for Sue Ann Carwell, Prince’s first protégé, under DeBaddi Productions. They also produced tracks for Will Wheaton, Charlie Wilson, The Gap Band, and remixes for artists like Shabba Ranks and Patra. Alongside his musical endeavors, Whitfield gained a reputation as a talented graphic designer.
Now, with the release of “All Night!” featuring C. Hogan, Lance Vantile Whitfield has made a powerful return to his music career. The single, available on all digital platforms from February 21st, 2025, is sure to have global audiences grooving to the rhythm of FreeLance—and beyond.
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