A previously unreleased album by funky jazz hero
Melvin Sparks.
This would have been his third album for the
Westbound group of labels, but after being
mastered, and a limited number of acetates
produced, it was pulled from the release
schedules and apart from one track on a
compilation (1999's "Alright! Black American
Dance Music From The Disco Era") was never
heard.
Recorded in 1976 with the finest Detroit session
musicians, it pays lip service to the then-current
success of disco, but doesn't pander. Instead
what you get is a heavily funky, orchestrated
version of his usual style, with some fine grooves
and some beautiful mellow moments.
The Texas-born guitarist cut his teeth in the
organ-based groups of Jack McDuff, Lou
Donaldson and Charles Earland before striking
out on his own with a series of albums for
Prestige, Eastbound and Westbound that are
adored by fans of good funky jazz. This is a
valuable addition to the collection.