Very Early (Mark Murphy album)
Mark Murphy · 1993
56 min · 11 tracks · jazz
A polished blend of classic jazz standards and intimate vocal interpretations, showcasing Murphy's warm timbre and nuanced phrasing.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
The Song is You — This track highlights Murphy's ability to convey deep emotion through subtle vocal inflections, setting a benchmark for quality interpretation of standards.
-
→
Without Form — In this song, Murphy experiments with free-form expression, demonstrating his versatility as a vocalist while maintaining a strong connection to the lyrical content.
-
→
Everything Happens to Me — Murphy’s poignant delivery transforms this standard into a personal narrative, revealing the vulnerability often found in his performances.
-
→
Very Early — The title track features intricate phrasing that showcases Murphy's skillful manipulation of rhythm and melody, encapsulating the album's essence.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong vocal interpretations and sophisticated arrangements, appealing to jazz enthusiasts.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of lush instrumental arrangements that complement Murphy's vocal delivery throughout.
- Each track maintains a slow to mid-tempo pace, creating a relaxed atmosphere that invites close listening.
- Murphy's phrasing often plays with the rhythm, emphasizing certain syllables and notes, which adds a layer of expressiveness to the interpretations.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
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
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
- lush harmonies for intimate moments
- reflective listening on quiet evenings
- gentle pacing with emotional depth
- warm vocals for cozy settings
- melodic exploration of love themes
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy tracks
- prefer upbeat party atmospheres
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time 'Very Early' was released in 1993, Mark Murphy had already established himself as a prominent figure in jazz vocalization since the 1960s. This album came during a period of exploration for him, following a series of acclaimed works that solidified his reputation as an interpreter of both standards and original compositions.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Carmen McRae· Ella Fitzgerald· Sarah Vaughan
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Song is You 5:04
- 2 Early Autumn 5:15
- 3 A Sleepin' Bee 4:54
- 4 Without Form 6:07
- 5 I'm All Smiles 5:04
- 6 Duke Ellington's Sound of Love 2:50
- 7 Love Came on Stealthy Fingers 5:25
- 8 I Cover the Waterfront 5:08
- 9 Very Early 5:01
- 10 Everything Happens to Me 5:04
- 11 Hello Young Lovers 6:10
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.