September Ballads
Mark Murphy · 1988
49 min · 10 tracks · jazz
A lush tapestry of jazz standards woven with Murphy's emotive vocals and intricate phrasing.
Top tracks — play these first
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September Fifteenth — This opening track sets the tone with its haunting melody and reflects on themes of nostalgia, showcasing Murphy's rich vocal texture.
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When This Love Affair Is Over — The track highlights Murphy's ability to convey deep emotion, with a poignant narrative that captures the essence of heartbreak.
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Sack Full of Dreams — Murphy's playful yet introspective delivery in this song demonstrates his skill in blending lyrical storytelling with intricate jazz rhythms.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Murphy's emotive delivery and the album's lush arrangements create a strong jazz vocal experience.
What we noticed
- Each track showcases intricate phrasing and dynamic shifts in tempo, allowing for expressive interpretations of the material.
- Several tracks incorporate extended instrumental sections, providing space for improvisation and interaction among musicians.
- 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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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. 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
- heartfelt storytelling through music
- late-night reflective listening
- rich instrumentation for introspection
- emotional vocal phrasing moments
- soothing melodies for relaxation
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of high-energy tracks
- prefer upbeat, fast-paced songs
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time Mark Murphy released September Ballads in 1988, he was well-established in the jazz scene, having previously gained recognition for his innovative vocal style in the 1960s. This album marked a return to the studio after a period of intense touring and showcases his ability to reinterpret classic material through a contemporary lens.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Carmen McRae· Ella Fitzgerald· Sarah Vaughan
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 September Fifteenth 5:26
- 2 When She Is Mine 5:46
- 3 When This Love Affair Is Over 5:07
- 4 Night Life 4:20
- 5 Sack Full of Dreams 5:33
- 6 Crystal Silence 3:57
- 7 I Never Went Away 5:04
- 8 Sausalito 3:46
- 9 Para Nada 4:52
- 10 Spring Is Where You Are 5:35
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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