Posted by A New Chapter for Sparklmami
Chicago-based artist Sparklmami has officially announced her debut album, ‘in this body’, scheduled for release on June 5th via Verve Records/slowplay. The announcement arrives alongside the release of her latest single, ‘no te vayas’—a dusky, feel-good funk track that captures the artist’s unique sonic evolution.
The single is accompanied by a throwback-inspired visual directed by Sparklmami herself. The video features a special cameo from Andre Gibson of the legendary Chicago musical outfit, the Universal Togetherness Band, grounding the track in the city’s rich cultural history.
Honoring Chicago’s DIY Spirit
Reflecting on the creative process behind the new single, Sparklmami draws inspiration from her time as an undergraduate student. “As an undergrad in my video art class, I was introduced to The Chicago Party – basically a public access television talent show documenting Chicago arts in the mid-80s,” she explains. “I remember being so fascinated by not only the talent on the show, but feeling the diy spirit that continues to carry Chicago culture forward.”
“One of the groups that I saw perform on the show was the Universal Togetherness Band, who embodied that Chicago energy where if you want to do something, you just have to make it happen. When I was visualizing the world of “no te vayas”, I immediately knew it was going to be a party, and that I wanted to honor the Chicago community who had inspired me and been a part of my journey as an artist.”
The upcoming debut album serves as a bridge between the artist’s past and present. ‘in this body’ draws heavily from the jazz traditions of 1970s Brazil and the Mexican boleros that soundtracked her upbringing.
A Collaborative Vision
The project is defined by its communal spirit, featuring an impressive roster of contributors including Eddie Burns, William Corduroy, Alec Trickett, Josh Jessen, and Kenneth Leftridge Jr. Further instrumentation and creative input come from notable figures such as Nico Segal, Alex Santilli, Raphael Olivier, Adlai Reinhart, and Chris Misch.
The album also includes the previously released prelude single ‘running’, which has been reimagined with a fresh remix from renowned LA producer Mndsgn.
Photo Credit: Daniel Delgado