SoundPress.net Feature Article: Melvin Sparks a Musical Celebration!

Melvin Sparks a Musical Celebration!
Mexicali Blues Cafe – Teaneck, N.J. – 03/20/04
A SoundPress.net Feature Article by Rich and Laura Lynch

On March 20, 2004, Create A Vibe hosted a birthday bash for Melvin Sparks at Mexicali Blues in Teaneck, New Jersey. Also celebrating the event was special guests Matt Abts and Johnny Neel of X-2, The Boston Horns and a few other musical friends. Create A Vibe and Mexicali Blues continue to bring diverse blends of music to the tri-state area with a strong focus on jam. The collaboration of Sparks, X-2 and The Boston Horns was a versatile combination of talented players all connected by the fusion of genres with a heavy emphasis on jazz.

Melvin Sparks onstage at the Mexicali Blues Cafe.

Melvin Sparks is a dynamic guitarist considered a pioneer of the acid jazz movement. He is also well versed in funk, jam, jazz, rock and the blues. For over thirty years, Sparks has contributed his magical touches to his own nine albums and countless other professional recordings. Melvin has worked with The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Karl Denson and Soulive to name but a few of many. Sparks crosses generations and genres with his signature rhythm guitar style and is still very much in demand, although many mainstream listeners are unaware of this prolific player.

Matt Abts and Johnny Neel are a two-man jam band known as X2. Their innovative sound combines mesmerizing organ and synthesizer chords with pounding, syncopated drumming. Abts and Neel create rich compositions that sound like a full band is performing rather than two multi-talented musicians. Johnny is able to play several parts at once while Matt establishes both a rhythm and a melody at the same time.

The Boston Horns are a six-man outfit that plays improvisational instrumentals drawing from funk, jazz, rock and other genres. They are all seasoned players who perform with zeal. On stage, The Boston Horns are animated and effortlessly tap into each other's creative energy. Their set featured funky grooves, harmonious horns, animated keys, strong rhythms and sizzling guitar work. They have perfected the art of dramatic pauses, experimentation and the joy of extended jams. The majority of the set was instrumentals but trumpet player Garret Savluk also sings. All six demonstrated innovations and techniques crafting unorthodox yet funky textures and tones. Their jazz jam fusion enchanted the crowd at Mexicali Blues.

X2 showcased the drum and keyboard combination of Matt Abts and Johnny Neel.

Soon after The Boston Horns left the stage, Neel and Abts stepped up to their instruments. Abts drum kit this evening was a mix and match set of different skins and plenty of cymbals. Neel played a Roland VK-7 and a Ensoniq KT-76. Their set featured inventive instrumentals. Johnny creates copious complex chords as his fingers dash over the keyboards. Utilizing his equipment Neel crafted a lot of bass chords overlayed with piano and key work that was very impressive. In the mean time, Matt is creating rhythm and melody with his multifaceted drumming. At times it seems like Abts and Neel is each doing their own thing yet the jams blend perfectly exploring a diversity of musical directions. Johnny sang a birthday tune for Melvin along with a few other soulful songs including a cover of The Beatles 'The Long and Winding Road'. The set concluded with some members of Spark's band and The Boston Horns joining X-2 for a funky experimental journey.

The Boston Horns opened the show with a blast.

Lastly, The Melvin Sparks Band took the stage. The four-man team includes a B-3 organ player, a drummer, a saxophonist and Melvin playing a big-bodied Gibson plugged into vintage fender amps. The first song featured Jumpin' Joe on sax leading the way as the band played a strong funky rhythm. Sparks' guitar chords were almost bass like as he sat on a chair smiling at the crowd. Melvin's Gibson leads are beautiful and rich as his fingers fly over the fret. He is a mesmerizing player who animates a positive creative energy that is contagious. Melvin made a point of thanking the other artists for coming out. The Melvin Sparks Band are talented as individuals and dynamic as a group exploring a variety of musical topics. Compositions were first rate and long allowing listeners to be entranced as others danced happily to the jazz based grooves. Later, Melvin invited different drummer friends to come on stage to play on Abt's kit. The Melvin Sparks Band is a pleasure to see and hear. They are gifted musicians whose passion shines on stage as they meld jam, jazz and so much more into their songs. They brought magic to Mexicali Blues on Saturday night.

Melvin Sparks' latest release 'What You Hear Is What You Get' is a live CD focusing on funk. It was recorded in December 2001 and showcases (Jumpin' Joe (Herbie J.) Hrbek, George Papageorge, and Carter McLean). More than half of the songs were written by Melvin and includes special guests Reuben Wilson and Topaz.

Happy Birthday — Melvin!!!

(Originally Published on March 22, 2004)

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