Melvin Sparks
Saturday 3/23/02
Boom Boom Room
San Francisco, CA

Melvin Sparks Lights Up The Boom Boom Room

Judging from the line outside the door to the Boom Boom Room on Saturday
night in San Francisco, one had the feeling something very cool was
happening in there. Judging from the sounds emanating from the stage once
you got inside, there was absolutely no question something very cool was
indeed happening. Sitting on a chair on stage left was a hip looking
gentleman in a stylish cap generating some of the funkiest guitar playing to
ever grace this listener's ears. That gentleman was Melvin Sparks, a
somewhat long lost obscure cult figure of the instrument who has recently
experienced a well-deserved revival of interest in his music.

Originally from Texas, Melvin made a name for himself on the both the
Prestige and Blue Note labels in the late 60's and early 70's, where he not
only put out records under his own name but also played on sessions with
such jazz greats as Lou Donaldson, Houston Person, Lonnie Smith and Idris
Muhammad. It is his connection with these players that has earned him the
rightful title of one of the "fathers of acid-jazz", "soul jazz", or
"barbeque jazz". Whatever these terms mean they don't even scratch the
surface of the importance and greatness of Melvin's playing. Taking
everything that is good about the blues, jazz and funk and putting it into
one explosive package, Melvin delivers a sound that is so direct, so simple
and so fun its almost hard to believe its possible. Carrying on a lineage
of jazz/blues guitar that many people identify with Grant Green, Melvin
rocked the house on Saturday with a band of young cats from New York who are
also featured on his latest release, "What You Hear is What You Get".
Particularly impressive was drummer Carter McLean who laid down the grooves
with bassist Derek Layers. George Papageorge delivered a classic Hammond
B-3 sound and Joe Hrbek rounded out the band on alto sax.

Melvin showcased his strong voice on James Brown's "Funky Good Time" and the
soul classic "Money" and throughout the night mixed his originals, such as
"Another Joe", with jazz funk classics like Eddie Harris' "Freedom Jazz
Dance" and Lou Donaldson's "Hot Dog". Playing a fat hollow body Gibson
right into a Fender Twin with only an octave pedal for occasional effect, it
was hard to determine what was more impressive: Melvin's undeniable rhythm
or his lightning quick, melodic single note soloing. No need to fret about
it. As Melvin said throughout the night: "its all good!". And it was.

Players like Melvin Sparks put the fun back in jazz and keep you on the
dance floor while they're at it. His music is totally unpretentious and
straight from the heart. Any guitar players (or anyone for that matter) out
there interested in funk, jazz or blues would do good to go check out Melvin
live or pick up any of his own albums, such as his most recent release or
the older "Akilah" on Prestige, or dig deeper and explore his session work
on records like Lou Donaldson's "Hot Dog" or "Everything I Play Is Funky".
Here's to Melvin Sparks for keepin' it fun! And funky.

For more info on Melvin check out www.melvinsparks.com

by Dave Ridnell