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
CHECK OUT MY NEW SINGLE, “I NEED A YOUNG MAN TO TAKE THE DUST OFF; GEMME SOME GOOD THUG LOVIN, THEN U CAN GET LOST”! OR SEE ME PERFORM AT www. stlsounds. com/redafroqueen
BREAKZZZZ! BEATZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! & RhythMMM!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you verry much for the Friendship! ;-) got a 5 BRAND NEW heavy weight funk break TUNE’s up, called:
-ALL HELLS BREAK’N LOOSE -CAFFE LATTE -FONKYY MONKYY -BOOBS -Turn On Tune In and Drop Out! (this one is dedicated to TIMOTHY LEARY!!!) ;-) And last but not least: -MARTIN LUTHER IN TIBET for FREE DOWNLOAD! ;-)) hope you like it! im wondering what you think about... ;-) If you like to REMIX some of my tunes, please read my BLOG for more informations! many thanks may the groove be with you! ;-)) PulpFusion
Hey Melvin. Hope all is well. I hope you'll forgive me doing a bit of shameless merchandising. My new CD is out. Still doin' the Jazz thing, but this is definitely not your father's organ trio!
CD Baby's got it - plus the usual assortment of samples, links & downloads on my Myspace page.
Hey everyone. the word BROWN wants to thank all of our new friends. We don't make a habit of sending out mass comments but we just want to welcome all the newcomers. Our debut album is being mastered as we speak and will be released this summer. Thanks again. Nate
Thanks for the add. Your music here on your site sounds great. I met you many years ago back in Houston while I was attending T.S.U. I played drums with quite a few cats Louis Gasga, Carl Adams, Leon Spencer etc. If ever you plan to perform in La, let me know would love to check out your show. Best of the best in the future. Peace----OM
Hey hey Mr. Sparks. You're still sounding good my friend. I remember meeting you and a fellow named Broussard when I first got to Houston in 1960....time flies. I'm a regular at the BB King's club in Orlando.
Greetings from Times Square NYC Melvin, many thanks for the Add-On! Great to see you on the Space and it was great to meet you and hear you play on Fillmore St. in San Francisco, sounding real good! Everything's A-OK here..playing gigs and on the radio every morning on KYOURADIO HammondCast Show, I'd like to have you on the show sometime soon. Keep up the great work on the guitar Melvin..c u in a minute, Jon http://hammondcast. livejournal. com *Member AFM Local 802, Local 6 / ASCAP Publisher
