JAMIE SPARKS

Interview 13 October 2001

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Your from Canada, tell us a bit about your background, and also the Soul/R'n'B Scene there

***I'm from a small Black community called Cherry Brook, NS. I have 7
brothers & sisters, definitely did not grow up rich, but it was good. I was
trained since elementary on the saxophone, later taught myself to play Bass
Guitar, and keyboards. Played all 3 instruments in a variety of bands;
jazz, African, Calypso, grunge, funk, and Symphonic. Strangely enough, I
don't play any instruments when I'm on stage with my band performing my
music!

What have you recorded to date.

*** My 1st professional recording was in 1996, an EP (Extended Play)single
called "Git-Wit-U". 1998 I released my 1st full length recording "The Time"
on my own indie label Smash Track Productions. November 2000 I released my
second full length effort "Unforgettable". This is (in my opinion) my best
recording to date. I've also had some of my tracks featured on
compilations. In 1997 "Making Me Feel" was featured on Groove Essentials
Vol.1 (Beat Factory/EMI) 2000 "Unforgettable" featured on 44N/63W (EMI).

The current album is pretty much 100% you, written, instrumentation,
production etc. Can you explain something about how it all comes together.

***It usually starts out with a groove, or beat in my head, usually when I'm
away from my studio. Sometimes I'll call home and leave a message on my
machine with that idea or beat. Then I get home (my pre-production studio
is in my basement) and work on that idea a bit more, usually scribble some
lyrics down as I'm going along. I can structure the song in a few hours.
The completed song won't be ready for a few days, or even weeks after that.
THEN...I go to the real studio, be it Sonic Construction in Halifax, or
Daddy's House in New York and put everything (music & lyrics) together for
the final product, the CD.

Do you have any particular favourites - for me I like the soul style more
than the slightly harder R'n'B, but I guess R'n'B is more marketable right
now. (That is if you have to draw a line between the two!)

***That's easy, the soul stuff is my first love. I've always loved music
from artists such as Curtis Mayfield, Brenda Russell, James Brown, and many
others. But I can't deny my love for the edgier modern R&B sounds, even hip
hop. Gotta have those bangin' beats for the streets. Some of my all time
favorites are Boyz II Men, anything Teddy Riley puts his hands on, Dr. Dre,
Mary J. Blige, More recently, DMX, and India Arie, the list goes on.

What about satisfaction - do you get the biggest kick when say a
particular lyric works, or when something in the studio comes out exactly as
you imagined it. Most artists seem to say it's live performance.

***For me I guess it's all of those things. I like great lyrics, and it's
gravy when things work out in the studio. A live performance is really
great too. I love to see people just groovin' in their chair to the music,
or up dancing, singing the lyrics is the coolest! That tells me I've done
something right.

Who are your musical influences and is there anyone you'd like to
collaborate with either in performance or to record one of your songs? I
thought there was the odd touch of Soulchild but I understand you like
D'Angelo

***I mentioned a number of artists above that I listen to and really like, I
can't believe I forgot to mention D'angelo! I truly think he is the
greatest. I'd love to work on a track with him, his sound to me is so real,
so raw. Definitely a huge influence. I'd also like a collaboration with
Mary J. Blige, Teddy Riley and maybe Alicia Keys...she's great on the keys.

How is the album doing both at home, in the US and overseas. How does
this compare with the first album.

***The album still hasn't been officially released in Canada, our
distribution Hitman Records is in San Francisco, CA. However we are getting
huge radio play in Toronto, also along the U.S. north east coast. To my
understanding, we've pressed & shipped about 5,000 CD's across the U.S.
Just got back from a video shoot in Vancouver for the new single "Be Right
There". Going back next month to shoot a video for the following single
"Tender Love". That was the R&B hit in the 1980's originally performed be
The Force MD's, written by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis.

This CD is being very well received right now, but it's a bit early to
compare. It's not even available in Canada yet, as well as a number of
other spots in the world. But if I can give a prediction, I think it is
going to do 10 times better than my previous CD "The Time". I'm hoping for
a gold record!

How did the hook up with Hitman come about.

***I was searching out labels and distributors to try and expand my
market/customer base, basically needed someone to help me and my label sell
more CD's. I only got rid of about 2500 units of The Time. That's not bad
for an indie label with no budget, and no real distribution, but if I wanted
to grow I'd need to do better. I came across the Hitman Records site on the
internet, sent them a press kit, we talked back and forth for a while, and
then signed a deal.

Do you gig/tour. How's that going down.

***Yes I've don a number of gigs from Halifax to L.A. in front of crowds of
100 to 10,000. It's been great, and I love to perform. I have a cross U.S.
tour that is in the works right now, looking forward to that.

What's the chances of a European tour, or even European distribution.

***Chances of a European tour and distribution are definitely possible and
in the plans. I've gotten great responses from the UK, and all over Europe.
I believe Hitman Records is actually setting up some European retail
accounts at this moment. Check back with us soon to know when that's
finalized. It's been one of my goals to get over there and do some shows,
and meet some folks who enjoy the same music as I. I think that would be
great!

Some tracks were recorded or mixed at Puff Daddy's - anything to say
about this.

***That was a great time for me. Not just because I was in a studio which
has recorded so many other stars before me, but it was great to be in a
facility with all of the tools & gadgets you need to get the sound your
looking for, and people who know how to use that equipment.
If I asked to have my kick drum "punch" or "kick" the engineer knew what I
meant. That's not always the case in studios here, or anywhere. Everyone
at the studio was always cool with me, and invited me back anytime I like.
I always stop by the studio just to say hi and hang out whenever I'm in New
York City.

Anything else going down or anything else you would like to say

***Lots of stuff going on, I don't think I can fit it all in without writing
a book, but I will say you'll be hearing a lot of me in the near future
thanks to my manager Dwayne Hopkinson at D.Dub Entertainment. He's been
hooking up a lot of things and making some amazing things happen for me from
his office in Brooklyn, NY which he rarely leaves, I think he occaisionally
comes out for sunlight, that's what I hear anyway (Just kidding Dwayne!).
In all seriousness, he's been doing a crazy amount of work, I consider
myself very fortunate to have him as a partner in all this, and I think
we're all headed for a very bright future.

Also want to say thank you to all of the people who've bought the CD,
written letters of support, and you guys for taking the time to do this
interview...I truly appreciate it!

My Sincerest Thank You,
-Jamie Sparks

Dwayne (D. DUB) Hopkinson
www.ddub-entertainment.com
D. DUB ENTERTAINMENT
Chairman, CEO
(718) 753-2956
(888) 548-5641

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