Melvin Sparks has had a career as one of the most important guitarists in the R&B scene, backing the likes of Marvin Gaye, Jackie Wilson and Marvin Gaye before going down the jazz line of life. This album has him performing in swinging Burlington, VT with a hip team of Beau Sesser/org, Bill Carbone/dr, Dave Grippo/as and Brian McCarthy/ts and the mood is relaxed, grooving and filled with red meat.
Sparks has an infectious touch to his guitar riffing, and is able to mix up a bluesy Memphis stew as on the greasy “Miss Riverside” as well as a blue collar read of George Benson’s “Breezin’”, turning the smooth jazz classic into a funky chicken. Carbone’s alto adds a soulful strut while Sparks churns away to “Ain’t No Woman,” while McCarthy puts some dry rub on his tenor and goes bare footin’ while the rhythm team shuffles along and Sasser hums on his Leslies to “Cranberry Sunshine.” The band boogaloos on Broadway as Carbone’s backbeat and Sparks’ Hammond hums to Sparks’ chunky funky on “Fire Eater.” This team creates a jamming sauce that is finger lickin’ good!