TRACKLIST
SIDE ONE
1. I’VE GOT TO HAVE YOU
2. MOCKINGBIRD
3. LOOKING FOR A LOVE
4. GET YA SOME
SIDE TWO
1. GET DOWN WITH THE GET DOWN
2. BUMP AND STOMP
3. IN THE MORNING
4. IF YOU WANT MY LOVE
DESCRIPTION
This is the first vinyl reissue of this album since 1975.
Texas born guitarist Melvin Sparks is one of the godfather's of Acid Jazz. He first came to prominence in the bands of Jack McDuff and Lou Donaldson, providing an essential element in their funky groove based classics of the late 60s. He then became part of the Prestige Records funk team, under the tutelage of producer Bob Porter. He made his debut LP “Sparks” for the label in 1970 alongside Idris Muhammad, Leon Spencer and Houston Person. Two further exciting albums appeared on the label with “Spark Plug” and “Akilah” and over a dozen side-man appearances.
When Porter left to set up Eastbound Records in Detroit - as part Westbound Records - Sparks followed recording his label debut "Texas Twister” in 1973. The following year, after Porter left, he recorded the album that became “75” with some of the label’s top session players, including members of Funkadelic and vocalist Jimmy Scott who sang on ‘I Got To Have You’ and ‘If You Want My Love’. The 9 tracks featured a slicker sound, that mirrored the contemporary soul jazz of the time and included club classics like 'Get Ya Some' and 'Get Down With The Get Down’.
Sparks began recording one more album for the label, that languished in the vaults for decades, and then mostly concentrated on session work before he was rediscovered by the Acid Jazz scene in the late 80s, when he was brought over to Europe to tour as part of the BGP All-Stars and this late revival saw him record five further albums.