Melvin Sparks

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Melvin Sparks is more prominent than ever as this new CD "Groove On Up!" This new album reflects his sensational talent for innovation and heart pounding boogaloo-stylings. With many new originals and some reinterpreted bouncing versions of others , this new disc is a masterful work by Melvin Sparks and is sure to find its rightful place in your collection of all-time favorite funk records. With the usual suspects, Melvin again shows us why he is known as the Funkmeister Supreme.
Jazzreview.com review
Guitarist Melvin Sparks is a living legend, acclaimed for his jazz/soul/funk chops, hearkening back to the days when he performed with sax titan Lou Donaldson and a litany of other jazz notabl On this newly released studio set, the guitarist conjures up cheery ramifications via his articulately generated single-note flurries and tuneful themes, such as the alluring and radio-friendly opener MyKias Dance. Its all about the groove, indeed!
Sparks rides atop hot n spicy, groove-laden back-beats and catchy hooks to exemplify his outward purveyance of good cheer. His effervescent rhythmic voicings offer a mini-clinic for soul-jazz wannabes. With master chops, Sparks palette is partly steeped within a retro vibe, witnessed on the 60s Motown-ish piece Ooh Girl, where Nikki Armstrong and Oscar Wright engage in sleek, verse-chorus vocals. Otherwise, the guitarist quotes Chuck Berrys Johnny B Goode riff during his solo on the up-tempo blues-rock composition If It Dont Fit (Dont Force It).
Some of the intentional schmaltz works wonders here! But its Sparks ability to acutely intertwine his masterful technique with a good-timey persona. It all stacks up rather nicely and looms as a determining factor as to why I cannot seem to hit my CD players eject button. Sustainable gratification is the key here!
--Glenn Astarita
Organists include Paul Wolstencroft and Jerry Z. Eric Boliver & Eric Kalb are on the drums and Nikki Armstrong and Oscar Wright contribute vocals to the album.
Melvin Sparks at the Dakota in Minneapolis. April 7, 2005
Melvin Sparks at the Dakota in Minneapolis. April 7, 2005
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