Sparkle: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

This article is about the soundtrack album for the 2012 film. For the soundtrack album for the 1976 film, see Sparkle (Aretha Franklin album).
Sparkle: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Soundtrack album by Various Artists
Released July 31, 2012 (2012-07-31)
(See release history)
Recorded 2011 - 2012
Genre Soul, R&B, disco
Length 36:45
Label RCA Records
Producer R. Kelly, Jameel Roberts, The Underdogs, Chuck Harmony, Claude Kelly, Bigg Makk, Andrew "Pop" Wansel[1]
Singles from Sparkle: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  1. "Celebrate"
    Released: June 5, 2012
  2. "His Eye is On the Sparrow"
    Released: June 8, 2012

Sparkle: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is the soundtrack album for the 2012 Sony/TriStar Pictures film Sparkle, a remake of the 1976 film of the same name. The album was released through Sony Music Entertainment's RCA Records on July 31, 2012. The film's soundtrack includes new recordings of four songs from the original film's soundtrack as well as new original music by Jordin Sparks, Whitney Houston and Cee Lo Green. The soundtrack's first official lead single is the last song recorded by Whitney Houston before she died on February 11, 2012, a duet with R&B/pop singer and American Idol winner Jordin Sparks on a song called "Celebrate".[2] The song premiered on On Air with Ryan Seacrest on May 21, 2012[3] and was made available for digital download on iTunes on June 5.[4] Whitney Houston's other track, "His Eye is On the Sparrow", debuted only one day after the premiere of "Celebrate".[5] The official music video for "Celebrate" was filmed on May 30, 2012.[6] It made its world premiere on BET's 106 & Park on June 27, 2012.[7]

Background

The songs on the soundtrack are performed by the actors in the film, including Jordin Sparks, Whitney Houston, Cee Lo Green, Carmen Ejogo, Tika Sumpter, and others. Sparkle features songs from the original film written by soul musician Curtis Mayfield as well as new compositions by R&B artist R. Kelly and others.[8][9] The soundtrack includes new songs not present in the 1976 version of Sparkle: "Celebrate", "His Eye is On the Sparrow", among others. "Celebrate" was sent to radio the week of May 21, 2012 as the first official from the Sparkle soundtrack. The song premiered on On Air with Ryan Seacrest on May 21.[3] and was made available for digital download on iTunes on June 5.[4] Houston's other track, "His Eye is On the Sparrow", debuted only one day after the premiere of "Celebrate".[5]

Composition

Music and themes

Sparkle: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack takes on matters of the celebration, heartache, heartbreak and seduction with a mixture of ballads, mid- and up-tempos.[10]

Release

The Sparkle: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack was released on July 31, 2012; though announced with 13 tracks,[11] it was released with only 11 tracks. Five days before the soundtrack's official release the entire soundtrack was made available to stream exclusively through Sparks' Official store and Essence.com.[12][13] Jordin Sparks, who worked closely with Houston throughout the making of Sparkle, finds the release of the soundtrack to be "bittersweet."[14] Sparks states, "I worked with my idol and that was a dream come true. I used to watch the Cinderella adaptation with her and Brandy every day after school. But she should really be here promoting it with me and [it's] really hard for me to be doing it alone."[14][15]

Reception

Critical response

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[10]
Entertainment Weekly(B)[16]
Rolling Stone[17]

Allmusic writer Andy Kellman gave it three and a half out of five stars and called the soundtrack "an enjoyable if muddled affair" and commended the four songs covered on the new soundtrack stating "the 2012 soundtrack features faithful and decent covers of four songs from the original.[10] 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 and Tika Sumpter." Entertainment Weekly's Melissa Maerz gave Sparkle: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack a B rating and praised Sparks version of "Look Into Your Heart" stating "Sparks bellows Mayfield's power ballad Look Into Your Heart with absolute conviction.[16] Jody Rosen of Rolling Stone gave the soundtrack 3½ of 5 stars, commenting that "Sparkle revives four soul chestnuts and includes three originals written and produced by R. Kelly. It's the second-most-satisfying retro-soul album of the year – after Kelly's Write Me Back"; however, he was ambivalent towards Houston's last two recordings before her passing, saying that, "Celebrate is forgettable disco-pop, and on the gospel standard "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" Houston sings – and croaks – in a voice octaves lower than in her prime. At times the song has a ravaged magnificence, but mostly it's painful."[18]

Chart performance

Singles

"Celebrate" is the first official single from the soundtrack. It is the last song recorded by Whitney Houston before she died on February 11, 2012, a duet featuring her and R&B/pop singer Jordin Sparks. It was officially released on June 5, 2012 for digital download and it was written by R. Kelly who also produced the track. For the week June 16, 2012, "Celebrate" debuted at number 34 on the US Adult R&B Airplay chart, having amassed 45 spins for that week ending.[20] During that same week, "Celebrate" also debuted at number 84 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart,[21] and has since peaked at number 54.[22] The music video for "Celebrate" was filmed on May 30, 2012.[6] A preview of the video premiered on Entertainment Tonight on June 4, 2012.[23] The music video made its world premiere on BET's 106 & Park on June 27, 2012.[7]

"His Eye Is on the Sparrow" is the second official single from the soundtrack. The song is a gospel hymn performed by Whitney Houston. Houston is seen performing the song in a church scene in the film trailer. The song was officially released on June 8, 2012 for digital download from Amazon[24] and iTunes. The song was originally written in 1905 by lyricist Civilla D. Martin and composer Charles H. Gabriel. The song is most associated with actress-singer Ethel Waters who used the title for her autobiography.[25]

Track listing

See "Performers" section below for credited singers on each track. Credits adapted from Sparkle: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack liner notes.[26]

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."I'm a Man" (Cee Lo Green)Thomas DeCarlo Callaway, Kevin Risto, Waynne Nugent, Charlie GambettaThe MIDI Mafia3:09
2."Yes I Do" (Carmen Ejogo)Guordan Banks, Warren Felder, Andrew WanselOak3:14
3."Running" (Goapele)Charles Harmon, Claude KellyChuck Harmony, Claude Kelly3:16
4."Jump" (Carmen Ejogo, Jordin Sparks and Tika Sumpter)Curtis MayfieldPop Wansel, Oak, Ronald "Flippa" Colson*2:28
5."Hooked on Your Love" (Carmen Ejogo, Jordin Sparks and Tika Sumpter)Curtis MayfieldPop Wansel, Ronald "Flippa" Colson*, Jameel Roberts*4:09
6."Something He Can Feel" (Carmen Ejogo, Jordin Sparks and Tika Sumpter)Curtis MayfieldR. Kelly, Bigg Makk3:28
7."His Eye Is on the Sparrow" (Whitney Houston)Civilla D. Martin, Charles H. GabrielR. Kelly, The Underdogs3:32
8."Look into Your Heart" (Jordin Sparks)Curtis MayfieldOak2:26
9."One Wing" (Jordin Sparks)R. KellyR. Kelly, Bigg Makk4:15
10."Love Will" (Jordin Sparks)R. KellyR. Kelly3:12
11."Celebrate" (Whitney Houston and Jordin Sparks)R. KellyR. Kelly3:36
Total length:36:45
Notes

(*) donates as co-producer

Charts

Chart (2012) Peak
position [27]
U.S. Billboard 200 21
U.S. Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums 3
U.S. Billboard Soundtracks 1

Credits and personnel

Creativity and management

Performances
Technical
  • Mike "TrakGuru" Johnson – Engineer
  • Craig White – Engineer
  • Joel Geddis – Guitar
  • Donnie Lyle – Guitar
  • Andrew Meixner – Guitar
  • Ben Oniel – Guitar
  • Mark Strowbridge – Guitar
  • Harry Wilson – Guitar
  • Dexter Wansel – Horn Arrangements, String Arrangements
  • The Regiment – Horn
  • Kenneth Crouch – Keyboards, Organ
  • Rodney East – Keyboards
  • Herb Powers, Jr. – Mastering
  • Phil Seaford – Mixing Assistant
  • Dirty Swift – Mixing, Programming
  • Harvey Mason, Jr. – Mixing, Vocal Producer
  • Kevin "KD" Davis – Mixing
  • Serban Ghenea – Mixing
  • John Hanes – Mixing
  • Jaycen Joshua – Mixing
  • Spring Aspers – Music Supervisor
  • Kier Lehman – Music Supervisor
  • Chuck Harmony – Musician, Producer, Vocal Producer
  • The Underdogs – Musician, Producer
  • Jameel Roberts – Organ, Producer
  • Ronald "Flippa" Colson @Flippa123 – Producer
  • Pop Wansel – Producer
  • Bruce Waynne – Programming
  • Ron Kerber – Saxophone
  • Hitomi Oba – Saxophone
  • Paul Arbogast – Trombone
  • Michael Jorosz – Trumpet
  • Tom Terrell – Trumpet
  • Nina Cottman – Viola
  • Ruth S. Fraizier – Viola

Release history

List of radio and release dates with formats and record labels
Region Release date Format Label
Australia[28] July 27, 2012 CD, digital download RCA Records
Belgium[29]
Denmark[30]
Finland[31]
France[32]
Japan[33]
Netherlands[34]
New Zealand[35]
Norway[36]
Sweden[37]
United States[38] July 31, 2012
Canada[39]
Mexico[40]

References

  1. 1 2 http://www.allmusic.com/album/sparkle-mw0002390300/credits
  2. ↑ http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/21554641
  3. 1 2 Ballhorn, Kelly (May 21, 2012). "WORLD PREMIERE: Whitney Houston & Jordin Sparks Duet 'Celebrate' From 'Sparkle' [AUDIO]". ryanseacrest.com. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
  4. 1 2 https://twitter.com/sparklemovie/status/204684417338322945
  5. 1 2 http://www.classichitsandoldies.com/v2/2012/05/24/whitney-houstons-his-eye-is-on-the-sparrow-released/
  6. 1 2 https://twitter.com/iamtikasumpter/status/208056583874293760
  7. 1 2 http://www.sparkle-movie.com/site/
  8. ↑ http://www.eurweb.com/2011/11/sparkles-brely-evans-says-give-the-remake-a-chance/
  9. ↑ "Whitney Houston's Sparkling Big-Screen Comeback". ETonline.com. 2011-11-07. Retrieved 2011-11-18.
  10. 1 2 3 http://www.allmusic.com/album/sparkle-mw0002390300
  11. ↑ http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/sparkle-soundtrack-whitney-houston-july-release-337957
  12. ↑ http://www.essence.com/2012/07/24/sparkle-movie-soundtrack-exclusive-first-listen/
  13. ↑ http://www.jordinsparks.com/us/news/stream-entire-sparkle-soundtrack-jordin-spark%E2%80%99s-official-store
  14. 1 2 http://www.mstarz.com/articles/3449/20120724/sparkle-soundtrack-whitney-houston-jordan-sparks-remake-music.htm#FlOIChGDSRkFbIQB.99
  15. ↑ http://music-mix.ew.com/2012/07/24/sparkle-soundtrack-jordin-sparks-whitney-houston/
  16. 1 2 http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20614877,00.html
  17. ↑ http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/sparkle-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-20120731
  18. ↑ http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/sparkle-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-20120731#ixzz23kvvItpY
  19. ↑ http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/earshot/whitney-houston-greatest-hits-album-songs-360507
  20. ↑ http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/radio/whitney-houston-jordin-sparks-celebrate-1007229752.story
  21. ↑ http://www.billboard.com/charts/2012-06-16/r-b-hip-hop-songs?order=gainer
  22. ↑ "Whitney Houston Album & Song Chart History: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2012-06-07. Retrieved 2012-06-07.
  23. ↑ https://twitter.com/deavanebersole/status/209727259861463042
  24. ↑ http://www.amazon.com/His-Eye-Is-The-Sparrow/dp/B00880IT98/
  25. ↑ Waters, Ethel, with Charles Samuels, His Eye Is On The Sparrow: An Autobiography, New York, 1951, reprinted by Da Capo Press, 1992
  26. ↑ Sparkle: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (liner notes). RCA Records. 2012.
  27. ↑
  28. ↑ https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/sparkle-original-motion-picture/id539484746
  29. ↑ https://itunes.apple.com/nl/album/sparkle-original-motion-picture/id539484746
  30. ↑ https://itunes.apple.com/dk/album/sparkle-original-motion-picture/id539484746
  31. ↑ https://itunes.apple.com/fi/album/sparkle-original-motion-picture/id539484746
  32. ↑ https://itunes.apple.com/fr/album/sparkle-original-motion-picture/id539484746
  33. ↑ https://itunes.apple.com/jp/album/sparkle-original-motion-picture/id539484746
  34. ↑ https://itunes.apple.com/be/album/sparkle-original-motion-picture/id539484746
  35. ↑ https://itunes.apple.com/nz/album/sparkle-original-motion-picture/id539484746
  36. ↑ https://itunes.apple.com/no/album/sparkle-original-motion-picture/id539484746
  37. ↑ https://itunes.apple.com/se/album/sparkle-original-motion-picture/id539484746
  38. ↑ http://www.jordinsparks.com/us/news/celebrate-sparkle-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-july-31st
  39. ↑ https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/sparkle-original-motion-picture/id539484746
  40. ↑ https://itunes.apple.com/mx/album/sparkle-original-motion-picture/id539484746
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