Melvin Sparks' Grant Green and George Benson influences are the basis of a style that can drift into licks playing, but typically pushes into more heady territory. The spectrum of the veteran soul-jazz guitarist's abilities is well covered in this satisfying compilation of his first two releases as a leader: 1970's Sparks! and 1971's Spark Plug. The important action here plays out between Sparks and organists Leon Spencer (six tracks) and Reggie Roberts (four tracks). Drummer {$I...   [ read more ]

CD $11.38

A greatly in-demand studio player throughout his life, guitarist Billy Butler fortunately had opportunities to lead four albums for Prestige along with a couple of slightly later European records. Butler was a versatile musician who, on ballads in particular displayed a very interesting sound, sometimes sliding between notes as if he were playing a steel guitar. This 1998 CD reissues all of the music from Butler's first (This Is Billy Butler) and fourth (Night Life) Prestige records. Despite...   [ read more ]

CD $11.38

Something of a B-list player in the annals of soul jazz guitar, Ivan Joseph Jones (a.k.a. Boogaloo Joe) still serves of up one of the more satisfying entries in the Legends of Acid Jazz series with this compilation of 1969's Boogaloo Joe and 1970's Right on Brother. While the "Boogaloo" moniker suggests a style limited to a cruder brand of funk, Jones is actually an articulate and versatile player. More than happy to play bluesy funk -- which he does with clean, irresistible i...   [ read more ]

CD $11.38