What You Hear Is What You Get
, guitarist
Melvin Sparks
' first session as a bandleader since 1997's
I'm a Gittar Player
, finds the guitarist in fine form, showing off his
soul-jazz
licks with funky aplomb. Since the release of
,
Sparks
' native style underwent a huge renaissance, especially in New York City.
John Scofield
's sessions with
Medeski, Martin & Wood
Soulive
's recordings, and a variety of New York club acts helped find a new audience for the form. From these ranks,
draws
Topaz
, a saxophone player (and leader of an eponymous unit) who blows on three cuts, including
"The Governor,"
"Funky Good Time,"
and
"Money."
Also joining
' quintet for a trio of tracks is his old friend, organist
Reuben Wilson
. The music is restrained and tasteful throughout.
' playing is crisp and spot-on, though it rarely ventures into
experimental
territory. If
comes across as hopelessly lodged in the past during some moments, it more often feels like, simply, he never went away. ~ Jesse Jarnow