Sparkle [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]

Overview

The soundtrack for the 2012 remake of 1976's Sparkle is an enjoyable if muddled affair. The 1976 soundtrack doubled as a fine Aretha Franklin album -- one written, arranged, and produced by Curtis Mayfield. Led by Jordin Sparks (who succeeds Irene Cara as Sparkle), the 2012 soundtrack features faithful and decent covers of four songs from the original. When it comes to "Something He Can Feel," it would be an understatement to say that the deck is stacked against Sparks and her vocal partners, Carmen Ejogo (Sister) and Tika Sumpter (Delores). Both the Franklin original and En Vogue's 1992 version rightly topped the R&B chart. Sensibly, there's no effort to out-power them; this version has its own light and breathy touch. Sparks also fronts the gospel-tinged ballad "One Wing" and the midtempo "Love Will," both of which were built and helmed by R. Kelly and have his peculiar "old but new" feel -- composed with a bygone era in mind but executed with modern means. On the neo-disco "Celebrate," another R. Kelly production, Sparks is joined by Whitney Houston (Sparkle's mother Emma), the latter of whom is showcased on a piano, organ, and choir rendition of "His Eye Is on the Sparrow." Houston sounds as commanding as one can expect from a later recording. Cee-Lo Green (Black) contributes the rollicking "I'm a Man," seemingly made in the mould of Edwin Starr's 1969 single "25 Miles." Ejogo takes the lead on the bouncy "Yes I Do," one of three songs involving songwriter and producer Andrew Wansel (whose father, Dexter Wansel, was in full flight as a soul artist, songwriter, and producer in 1976). Lastly, "Running" is a similarly bright and energetic Supremes/Vandellas-style showcase for veteran R&B singer Goapele. ~ Andy Kellman

Product Details

Release Date:	07/31/2012
Label:	Rca
UPC:	0887254204626
Rank:	76509

Tracks

1. I'm a Man
2. Yes I Do
3. Running
4. Jump
5. Hooked On Your Love
6. Something He Can Feel
7. His Eye Is On the Sparrow
8. Look Into Your Heart
9. One Wing
10. Love Will
11. Celebrate

Album Credits

Performance Credits

CeeLo Green   Primary Artist
Goapele   Primary Artist
Carmen Ejogo   Primary Artist
Whitney Houston   Primary Artist
Tika Sumpter   Primary Artist
Jordin Sparks   Primary Artist
Hitomi Oba   Saxophone
Margis Miles   Drums
Maria C. Ward   Cello
Michael Jorosz   Trumpet
Olga Konospelsky   Vocals
Ray Nesbith   Bass
Ruth S. Fraizier   Viola
Tom Terrell   Trumpet
R. Kelly   Keyboards
The Regiment   Horn
Mike Harvey   Choir/Chorus
James Jones III   Bass
Matt Taylor   Bass
Bigg Makk   Bass,Keyboards
Joel Geddis   Guitar
Jeff Morrow   Choir/Chorus
Kenneth Crouch   Organ,Keyboards
Emma Kummrow   Vocals
Donnie Lyle   Guitar
Ron Kerber   Saxophone
Rodney East   Keyboards
Yvonne Gage   Choir/Chorus
Robin Robinson   Choir/Chorus
Paul Arbogast   Trombone
Eliza Cho   Vocals
Mark Strowbridge   Guitar
Pastor Chris Harris   Choir/Chorus
The Rumor   Vocals (Background)
Voices of Praise   Vocals (Background)
Nina Cottman   Viola
Harry Wilson   Guitar
Joan Collaso   Choir/Chorus
Guordan Banks   Vocals
Autoro "Toro" Whitfield   Drums,Piano
Jameel Roberts   Organ
Lauren Pilot Morrow   Choir/Chorus
Andrew Meixner   Guitar
Ben Oniel   Guitar
Charles Parker   Vocals

Technical Credits

Mara Brock Akil   Executive Producer
Salim Akil   Executive Producer
Kevin KD Davis   Mixing
Curtis Mayfield   Composer
Charles H. Gabriel   Composer
Charlie Gambetta   Composer
John Hanes   Mixing
Ian Mereness   Engineer,Programming
Dirty Swift   Mixing,Programming
Bruce Waynne   Programming
R. Kelly   Mixing,Arranger,Composer,Producer
Lia Vollack   Executive in Charge of Music
Claude Kelly   Composer,Producer,Vocal Producer
Carlos Taylor   Production Coordination
Tanisha Broadwater   Production Coordination
Spring Aspers   Music Supervisor
Bigg Makk   Arranger,Producer
Michael Daley   Assistant
Phil Seaford   Mixing Assistant
The MIDI Mafia   Engineer,Producer
Debra Martin Chase   Executive Producer
David Boyd   Assistant
Mike "TrakGuru" Johnson   Engineer
Donnie Meadows   Production Coordination
The Underdogs   Musician,Producer
Andrew Wansel   Composer,Producer
Serban Ghenea   Mixing
T.D. Jakes   Executive Producer
Craig White   Engineer
Harvey Mason, Jr.   Mixing,Vocal Producer
Benjamin Adamson   Engineer
Jaycen Joshua   Mixing
Chuck Harmony   Musician,Producer,Vocal Producer
Dexter Wansel   Horn Arrangements,String Arrangements
Abel Garibaldi   Engineer,Programming
Dabling Harward   Assistant
Graham Marsh   Vocal Engineer
Warren Felder   Composer
Andrew Hey   Engineer,Vocal Engineer
Kevin Risto   Composer
Waynne Nugent   Composer
Herb Powers   Mastering
Charles Harmon   Composer
Erwin Gorostiza   Design,Art Direction
Thomas Callaway   Composer
Kier Lehman   Music Supervisor
Trina Bowman   Production Coordination
Guordan Banks   Composer
Flippa123   Producer
Trehy Harris   Assistant
Autoro "Toro" Whitfield   Engineer
Jameel Roberts   Producer