Mark II (Mark Murphy album)
Mark Murphy · 1974
38 min · 10 tracks · jazz
A vibrant blend of jazz-infused storytelling and soulful melodies, showcasing Mark Murphy's distinctive vocal interpretations.
Top tracks — play these first
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Chicken Road — Opening the album with an upbeat tempo and intricate rhythms, this track showcases Murphy's dynamic vocal range and improvisational skill, setting the tone for the record.
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The Unfaithful Servant — This track highlights Murphy's storytelling prowess through nuanced phrasing and emotional delivery, making it a standout example of his interpretive abilities.
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Barangrill — With its infectious groove and playful lyrics, Barangrill exemplifies Murphy's ability to blend humor with complex musicality, making it a memorable composition on the album.
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Lemme Blues — This track features a slower tempo that allows Murphy to delve deeply into the blues genre, showcasing his versatility and emotional depth as a performer.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Mark II showcases strong compositions and innovative arrangements, though its cohesion is somewhat uneven.
What we noticed
- The last three tracks slow down the tempo significantly, providing a contrasting exhale to the preceding energy.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- soulful vocal improvisations
- short tracks for quick enjoyment
- playful rhythms and melodies
- vibrant emotional expressions
- easy listening for casual moments
Maybe skip if you
- prefer lengthy, immersive albums
- seek intense, high-energy experiences
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1974, Mark II was Mark Murphy's seventh studio album and a significant step in his career during the peak of his artistic output. At this point, Murphy had already established himself as a notable jazz vocalist, with previous albums like 'Midnight Mood' solidifying his reputation. This album highlighted his ability to navigate various genres while maintaining a strong jazz foundation.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Carmen McRae· Ella Fitzgerald· Sarah Vaughan
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Chicken Road 5:46
- 2 Too Much Love 3:29
- 3 The Unfaithful Servant 2:51
- 4 Lookin' For Another Pure Love 2:51
- 5 Barangrill 3:38
- 6 Triad 4:12
- 7 They 3:37
- 8 Sleeping 3:36
- 9 Lemme Blues 5:40
- 10 Truckin' 2:47
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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