Mark Murphy’s tenth album, released in 1975, the same year I was born: “Sings.” The surreal cover art—like hitchhiking in a place with no shadows to hide in—was designed by Hal Wilson. The album contains no originals, but is instead made up entirely of covers, and personally I think the song choices are excellent. The opening track is Freddie Hubbard’s “Red Clay”, well-known as an ATCQ sample, with Murphy putting lyrics “on” the tune, true to the title. Incidentally, the Brecker Brothers appear on this album—Randy on trumpet and Michael on tenor. A2 is one of my personal favorites, John Coltrane’s “Naima.” It’s a fine version, carrying Murphy’s vocals without losing the spirit of the original. Then comes A3, the jazz standard classic “Body and Soul.” A4 is another well-known standard by Albert Hague and Arnold B. Horwitt, previously sung by the likes of Gloria Lynne, Joe Williams, and Tony Bennett—this rendition, too, is excellent. Standing out most vividly on this album is B1, a cover of Brazilian standard “Empty Faces” (Vera Cruz) by Milton Nascimento. B2 returns to jazz with Herbie Hancock’s “Maiden Voyage.” B3 “How Are You Dreaming” is credited to Bob Crewe and A. Shatkin, though I’m not sure whose composition it actually is—possibly the only original here. The album closes with another Hancock tune, “Cantaloupe Island.” The original is so iconic that at first this version feels strange, but the more you listen, the more you get drawn into Murphy’s vocal charm. A highly recommended record.
マーク・マーフィーの通算10作目で当方と
同い年の1975年発表「シングス」
物陰ひとつない場所でヒッチハイクをしているようなシュールなジャケット・ワークはハル・ウィルソンのデザイン。
