I'm Funky Now Melvin Sparks

£11.70

Genre:
Funk
Label:
Westbound
Format:
CD
Catalogue Id:
CDSEWD 161

Previously unreleased album by the master guitarist. A lost gem from the Westbound vaults.

Guitarist Melvin Sparks was one of the Heroes of Acid Jazz on a mid-90s tour sponsored by BGP. His fluid bluesy style lit up a series of records on Prestige, Eastbound and Westbound as leader and on dozens of sessions backing artists such as Leon Spencer, Charles Earland and Lou Donaldson. His oeuvre was funky organ-based jazz, closer to the R&B charts than John Coltrane, but he kept his solos interesting and always had something to say.

Born in Houston, Texas, he started his career in music in R&B road band the Upsetters – long after their time backing Little Richard – before stopping off in New York in the mid-60s and joining Brother Jack McDuff’s group, which led to his first recordings. Once he had proved reliable in the studio there was no stopping him – first at Blue Note where he played behind Lonnie Smith, then as first call for Lou Donaldson and at Prestige behind Donaldson alumnus Charles Earland.

His talent was recognised by Prestige A&R man Bob Porter, who provided him with session work and gave him his break as a leader with the excellent “Sparks!”, which he followed with equally strong “Spark Plug”. Porter had left by the time of the third album, “Akilah!”, but the two men reunited at Detroit’s Westbound label, where they made the highly collectable “Texas Twister”.

However, the market for jazz was changing, and by the time of his next album, “’75”, more soul elements were added, including vocals by Jimmy Scott on a couple of tracks and some by Sparks himself. A follow-up, “I’m Funky Now”, was planned but never released, although a sequenced production master was made. Issued here after a 41-year wait, the record is packed with big funky band arrangements, although Sparks is featured less prominently than on his earlier albums, which might account for its original cancellation. That said, it is a fantastic piece of work, and we are proud to be issuing it for the very first time.

DEAN RUDLAND 

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Delivery & Returns

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We offer free P&P to UK addresses. For all other territories packaging is free and postage is charged on a weight basis.

We use Royal Mail First Class for UK deliveries and standard Air Mail for all other territories, very large orders will usually be sent via parcelforce. You may cancel your order at any time prior to your order being dispatched by emailing us at orders@acerecords.com ensuring that you quote your name, address and order reference number or by telephoning +44 (0) 208 453 1311 between 9am and 5pm GMT/BST, Monday to Friday. Please note: As music downloads are dispatched immediately after purchase, there is no possibility of cancelling these orders.

In the event that any products supplied to you by us are damaged or defective, we agree to replace or repair the damaged or defective products or refund the amount you paid for such goods (including postage & packaging) providing you notify us (either via post at or e-mail: orders@acerecords.com ) and return the goods within 28 days of purchase. Physical goods should be sent back to us in the same condition you received them to: “Returns” Ace Records, Such Close, Letchworth Garden City SG6 1JF, United Kingdom. Music downloads should be returned to us via the e-mail address above including a copy of your notification.

You have the right to cancel your order within seven days of purchase, or seven days of receipt of the goods (whichever is the longer). If you choose to cancel your order, full payment will be returned to you. Returned items should be sent to: “Returns” c/o Ace Records, Such Close, Letchworth Garden City SG6 1JF, United Kingdom. Music downloads should be returned to us via the email address: orders@acerecords.com including a copy of your notice of cancellation and order number.

Press quotes

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"By the mid-70s, the sounds of soul jazz were falling out of favour, and Sparks headed into a horn-heavy disco territory, firstly on Melvin Sparks ’75 and then on I’m Funky Now, an album that gives Kool & The Gang a run for their money, and which has remained unissued until now. Surprisingly heady disco thrills for boogie fanatics." ★★★

Shindig

"Guitarist Sparks was one of the great discoveries of the ‘Acid Jazz’ years.  The story of this session is well told in the titles of the first two songs on offer: I’m Funky Now is as JB-ish as you like and Disco Booty is a nod to the changing face of black popular music." ★★

Jazzwise

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