Various Artists
Sparkler, Volume One
Reviewed by Brian Vincent McGovern
This project is a cool compilation featuring such bands as Squad Five-O, Prophecy, Fold Zandura, The Israelites, Satellite Circle, Exeter Flud, Bloomsday, Soulfood 76, and Cloud2Ground, among others. Most notable are all the rare demos that make an appearance on this disc. The first track is "Into You," by Simple, which is Tim Taber singing with his buddies Fold Zandura. Then there's Fold Zan's "Samovar," and Poor Old Lu's bouncy, yet ethereal demo, "It's Simple to Me." Bloomsday's "Blush" is practically a classic among the Velvet Blue fan base, and understandably so. The band knows how to carry a mood. The Squad Five-O track is a rough sounding demo of the forceful "United We Stand," and the Sometime Sunday contribution is a live version of "She." There's stuff on here for just about any type of modern rock fan, and all proceeds go to a good cause (a homeless shelter called the Judeo Christian Outreach Center). For ordering info, write: Spark Recordings, 3736 Silina Dr, Virginia Beach VA 23452