ProJazz.net

A masterful funky jazz album by one of the godfathers of acid jazz. Produced by Bob Porter, “Texas Twister” was a continuation of Sparks’ sought-after work at Prestige. The Texas-born guitarist had joined Bob Weinstock’s label at Porter’s request in 1970 after several years working with the likes of Jack McDuff, Lou Donaldson and Reuben Wilson. At Prestige, he recorded three albums as a leader and over a dozen as a session player, showing himself to be a wizard at playing funky licks and energised solos. When Porter left to set up Eastbound Records in Detroit – as a branch of Westbound Records – Sparks followed, recording “Texas Twister” in 1973 as his label debut. The incredible rhythm section of Idris Muhammad (drums), Sonny Phillips (electric piano), Caesar Frazier (organ) and Wilbur Bascombe (bass) make this album a sure-fire funk bomb. On the front-line, a hard hitting horn section that includes Cecil Bridgewater (tenor sax) and John Faddis (trumpet) are a perfect foil for Sparks. The album includes the monster acid jazz club cut ‘Whip! Whop!’ and the frenetic ‘Texas Twister’, as well as a beautiful rendition of the Four Tops’ ‘Ain’t No Woman (Like The One I Got)’. After Porter left Eastbound, Sparks recorded the more soul-based “’75” and began to record another album that languished in the vaults for decades. He 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. This late revival saw him record five further albums of funky blues-drenched jazz funk. Ace Records now offer you the first-ever UK reissue of this album, that should take pride of place in anyone’s collection of 70s jazz funk (Editorial Reviews).

Track listing:

A1 – 0:00 – Whip! Whop! [Written by Melvin Sparks]
A2 – 4:05 – Texas Twister [Written by Melvin Sparks]
A3 – 10:19 – Gathering Together [Written by Bobby Graham]
B1 – 19:47 – Ain’t No Woman (Like The One I Got) [Written by Brian Potter, Dennis Lambert]
B2 – 23:25 – Star In The Crescent [Written by Melvin Sparks]
B3 – 28:56 – Judy’s Groove [Written by Melvin Sparks]
B4 – 33:33 – I Want To Talk About You [Written by Billy Eckstine]

Personnel:

Baritone Saxophone – Ed Xiques (tracks A1, B1, B3)
Congas – Buddy Caldwell (tracks A1 to B3)
Drums – Idris Muhammad (tracks A1 to B3), Jesse Kilpatrick (track B4)
Electric Bass – Wilbur Bascomb (tracks A1, B1, B3)
Electric Piano – Sonny Phillips (tracks A1, B1, B3)
Flugelhorn – Cecil Bridgewater (track B1), Jon Faddis (track B1)
Guitar – Ron Miller (tracks A1, B1)
Guitar, Arranged By, Conductor – Melvin Sparks
Organ – Caesar Frazier (tracks A2, A3, B2), Sonny Phillips (track B4)
Tenor Saxophone – Ron Bridgewater (tracks A1 to B3)
Trumpet – Cecil Bridgewater (tracks A1, B3), Jon Faddis (tracks A1, B3)

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Label: Eastbound Records – EB 9006
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Promo
Country: US
Released: 1973