Sparkie Melody
Sparkie Melody
My Journey
Signing to Lucky 13 records is both a privilege and an honour for me and I hope to continue to add to the quality music this label is renowned for.
The journey of my new music career started back in August 2019 when I travelled to Jamaica to visit my parents. While there I established new contacts within the Jamaican music scene. Despite the hard work, dedication and commitment to my new musical journey it nearly didn’t happen – I’d been due to go to a different studio but my taxi didn’t arrive. Out later in the day with my Mum we got into another taxi and she asked the driver if he knew of any recording studios. He picked me up the following morning and took me to Move Up Records in May Pen, Clarendon. After meeting and working with Rally I knew it was a huge turning point in my career.
I’d left the UK to go to Jamaica to record and to get that inimitable Reggae sound. With Rally’s skills, we managed to achieve the sound.
The mixes we produced were so good that I decided to put on a show in Clarendon. A big crowd turned up that night (24th August 2019) – Ramp Wid had been playing locally for months. The atmosphere was amazing – to hold a mic and perform in Jamaica is breath-taking.
2022 Rally still collaborates on the current recordings.
New music
I was introduced to Adam Pendse, one of many talented producers & musicians, who worked at Leee John of Imagination’s state-of-the-art studio. Adam and I spent hours in that studio. My first demo – Plenty More Fish In The Sea – was created there as well as many others. Another talented sound engineer & producer, Dee Vaz, who is working on my current material also worked there at the same time but we never got the opportunity to work together. Both Adam & Dee have gone on to have major success in the music industry whilst I focused on my corporate career and started a family.
Now signed to Lucky 13 Records I have full creative control so it’s time for Adam, Dee, Lindel, Rally & Saviour Bee to make me sound great.
I’m currently working on my first studio album, once again with Lindel Lewis – my musical mentor – who has always been in my corner to champion and guide my career. I’m excited and enthused but also aware of Lucky 13 Records rich history in the Reggae genre. Knowing Lindel for over twenty years and working with him on numerous projects has always been an education and I am forever grateful for his guidance throughout the process.
Let’s do this music ting
Early years
Sparkie Melody grew up in West London, England. The seed of music was planted from an early age as Sparkie watched his father Derwent perform as bass guitarist with the SUS Band. TV and radio play were a regular thing for the SUS Band in the 80’s and 90’s as their profile grew. Watching SUS rehearse and play concerts in front of thousands of people, including the Notting Hill Carnival, inspired the young Sparkie to make his own music.
Growing up in West London there was always something going on. One day would see Todd Carty filming Tuckers Luck four doors down from Sparkie’s house and another day Boris Gardener recording the video for I Wanna Wake Up With You at Westbourne Park tube station. Sparkie was surrounded by talented young people – Sweetie Irie, Omar, Julian Marley, Pepsi (of Wham fame), Michelle Gale, General Levy, Aswad, Jazzwad to name a few who all went on to have amazing careers in music. From Sparkie Melody “I salute you all”
Music was always a big part of Sparkie’s life. Primary school break times were spent drumming the metal dustbins with coins. Whilst Sparkie was at secondary school SUS Band were always on the radio and had appeared on TV. By coincidence Sparkie met Colin (Skanga) Bailey at school and discovered his father Junior was also in the SUS Band, the two became inseparable with music being the foundation of a great friendship. Their music teacher Mr. Ross was happy to encourage aspiring musicians and the music room was always open to them. He would let them practice on the keyboards and drum machines at lunchtime and after school. Mr. Ross also taught them how to score music.
Sparkie played keyboards in a band called Karess when he was 12.
In later years Sparkie went back to school to take Mr. Ross a copy of his first single Plenty More Fish In The Sea. He was overjoyed to see Sparkie and proud that the potential he had spotted and nurtured had blossomed.
At the age of 17 Sparkie started creating and collaborating with different producers and musicians First working at local Watford studios and then working at the London studio of Leee John of Imagination. Sparkie was introduced to Jnr Scorpion by his good friend Les Joyce (Sleepy Ranks) of Starlight Sound System fame. Sparkie and Jnr Scorpion would go on to record and perform at local shows and clubs in the home counties. The pair released a single entitled “Plenty More Fish In The Sea” which did very well on white label.This track was originally recorded at Basement Studios in Watford with lead producer & musician Adam Pendse, the one and only Trevor Hartley who provided vocal coaching and harmonies and Patrick Reid on backing vocals. The track was then mixed and mastered by well-known producer Lindel Lewis. This success took them all over the country performing. The single was championed by Daddy Ernie on Choice FM and Crucial Robbie on BBC Three Counties Radio and achieved local and national radio play on many other urban radio stations.
Lindel Lewis of Kufe Records/ DVS Records opened the doors for Sparkie Melody to create and record. In 2014 Sparkie linked up with Redd Man UK and recorded “When I Get Through With You” for DVS Records. Sparkie Melody speaks of this time – “working with Redd Man UK was a blessing. Redd’s drive and talent made this recording easy”. The pair toured the UK performing and conducted radio interviews to promote the single.
In September 2018 Sparkie Melody released Ramp Wid on DVS Records. Working with the award winning Blackstones who are true craftsmen in the booth, helping to create the rich harmony synonymous to classic reggae music.
After being in talks with the Lindel Lewis (Kufe Records), Derwent Bent, Errol Shorter and Junior Bailey (founders of Lucky 13 Records) it was agreed that it was time for Sparkie Melody to sign for Lucky 13 Records.
Singer profile
Walking up the stairs, seeing our faces on the posters, seeing the crowd and hearing people saying “they’re here” was an unbelievable feeling.
Full Name:
Sparkie Melody
What instrument do you play:
Vocalist & Keyboards
What year did you release your 1st single:
In 1991 Plenty More Fish In The Sea was released on white label. We didn’t have a label at the time and wanted full creative control from end to end so went the white label route.
What bands have you been in:
Karess, a band from West London with school friends.
Favourite song recorded or released:
You Got Me which is due for release later this year.
What projects are you currently working on:
Since signing for Lucky 13 we’ve been in the studio recording new material and working on my album.
Who is your favourite music artist (and why) :
Where to start… Ladies first… Patsy Cline …her voice is spellbinding, she sang from her soul. Queen Ifrica she the truth, Etana her vocals are perfection. Since venturing onto Instagram, I have discovered a new-found like in the incredible Miss Storm. And last but not least would have to be Mary J Blige – the first lady of R &B… and rightly so.
Now to the men… Sam Cooke – need I say more. Michael Bolton, he’s a performer who sounds the same live as he does on a record. Beres Hammond – he’s a legend. Bugsy Malone just gets better and better.
What was your biggest achievement:
Signing to Lucky 13 Records. It’s always been a dream of mine – there was no other label I wanted to sign for.
Favourite moment in music:
Getting to record with Hopey McLean and Junior Bailey from The SUS Band on When I Get Through With You.
Best Live Show:
My best live show was one of the first shows with Junior Scorpion at Gems Night Club in St Albans. Walking up the stairs, seeing our faces on the posters, seeing the crowd and hearing people saying “they’re here” was an unbelievable feeling. Then taking the stage, the song started and before you knew it the crowd was going crazy…PULL UP…We worked the room that night…. For me…. One of the best.
If there was one artist you could work with who would it be:
Peter Hunningale… It’s Mr Vibes…. and this will happen. The SUS Band – gentlemen lets make this happen… who do I need to call?
