It Is What It Is

Melvin Sparks - It Is What It Is

06/08/2004 | Savant 

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All Music Guide Review

Guitarist Melvin Sparks keeps 1970s-style funky soul-jazz alive on this set, which is filled with catchy grooves, fine ensemble playing, and soulful solos. Heading a quartet that features tenor saxophonist Joe Herbek (Cochemea Gastalim takes his place on "Charlie Brown"), organist Jeremy Baum (replaced by Adam Scone on two numbers), and drummer Eric Kalb, Sparks performs likable and very danceable music. The one fault to the date is the sameness of much of the R&B-ish material (the guitarist wrote five of the nine selections), but this CD is excellent for parties and as infectious background music. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

It Is What It Is Track Listing

  • Track#
  • Title
  • time
  • lyrics
  • 1
  • It Is What It Is
  • 5:40
  • Sound Clip for It Is What It Is from It Is What It Is


  • 2
  • Thank You
  • 7:07
  • Sound Clip for Thank You from It Is What It Is


  • 3
  • Charlie Brown
  • 5:45
  • Sound Clip for Charlie Brown from It Is What It Is


  • 4
  • A Love Jam
  • 3:21
  • Sound Clip for A Love Jam from It Is What It Is


  • 5
  • Clinton Park
  • 6:18
  • Sound Clip for Clinton Park from It Is What It Is


  • 6
  • Guitar Playah
  • 7:32
  • Sound Clip for Guitar Playah from It Is What It Is


  • 7
  • Got the Blues?
  • 4:16
  • Sound Clip for Got the Blues? from It Is What It Is


  • 8
  • Pick Up the Pieces
  • 5:44
  • Sound Clip for Pick Up the Pieces from It Is What It Is


  • 9
  • Give Me the Night
  • 5:34
  • Sound Clip for Give Me the Night from It Is What It Is


    • Credits of It Is What It Is

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