Morgana King - Portraits (1984) [vinyl>flac]

Competent set presenting actress/vocalist Morgana King doing jazz-oriented pop, standards, and ballads backed by a tight combo. She has good technique, delivery, and style; there is nothing innovative or particularly original about either the material or the performances, but they are thoroughly professional and often enjoyable. ~ by Ron Wynn, AMG.

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When I was much younger, I asked a big question of a man named John Levy. The question was, "What is the essential ingredient for a musician to be great?" I have never forgotten his answer, which was, "To have your own sound." That answer has worn well with me over the years. Morgana King is the epitome of this criteria and it is a joy always to hear great quality which is instantly identifiable. She indeed has her own sound in the best sense of this concept. ~ by Bill Evans; extract from Liner Notes.

Muse Records, MR 5301, 1984

Recorded 19^th & 21^st October, 1983 At Songshop, New York City

Tracks:

A1. What's Going On?,  Save The Children {Al Cleveland, Marvin Gaye, Renaldo Benson} (5:49)

A2. You Go To My Head {Haven Gillespie, J. Fred Coots} (3:27)

A3. Moment Of Truth {Frank Scott, Tex Satterwhite} (3:24)

A4. Time Was [Duerme] {Anna Sosenko} (3:37)

B1. Send In The Clowns {Stephen Sondheim} (3:10)

B2. Lush Life {Billy Strayhorn} (4:09)

B3. You're Not The Kind {Irving Mills, Will Hudson} (3:44)

B4. If You Could See Me Now {Carl Sigman, Tadd Dameron} (5:47)

Personnel:

Morgana King - Vocals

Ben Aronov - Keyboards

Clifford Carter - Synthesizer

Joe Puma - Guitar

Art Koenig - Bass

Jay Leonhart - Bass (#A2,B2)

Ed Caccavale - Drums

John Kaye - Percussion

Credits:

Producer - Chuck Irwin, Mitch Farber

Executive Producer - Morgana King

Engineer - Chuck Irwin, John Tamburello, Wayne Vlcan

Mastering Engineer - Joe Brescio, The Cutting Room, NYC

Album Design - Ron Warwell

Album Photography - Arthur Paxton

Liner Notes - Bill Evans

Mark Murphy - Sings (1975) [vinyl>flac]

This album highlights one of singer Mark Murphy's best all-round sessions. Most memorable are his renditions of Freddie Hubbard's "Red Clay" (here renamed "On The Red Clay"), "Body And Soul" and "Canteloupe Island." Joined by a fine rhythm section led by keyboardist Don Grolnick along with occasional contributions from altoist David Sanborn, tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker and trumpeter Randy Brecker, Murphy is heard throughout in prime form, constantly stretching himself. ~ Extract by Scott Yanow, AMG.

Muse Records, MR 5078, 1975

Recorded 17^th-18^th June, 1975 At Basement Recording Studio, New York, NY

Musicians:

Mark Murphy - Vocals

Randy Brecker - Trumpet

Dave Sanborn - Alto Saxophone

Mike Brecker - Tenor Saxophone

Don Grolnick - Fender Rhodes, Keyboards, Organ, Piano

Joe Puma - Guitar

Harvie Swartz - Bass

Jimmy Madison - Drums

Sue Evans - Percussion

Tracks:

A1. On The Red Clay {Freddie Hubbard, Mark Murphy} (4:37)

A2. Naima {John Coltrane} (4:550)

A3. Body And Soul {Frank Eyton, Johnny Green, Edward Heyman, Robert Sour} (5:17)

A4. Young And Foolish {Albert Hague, Arnold B. Horwitt} (2:52)

B1. Empty Faces {Lani Hall, Milton Nascimento} (5:16)

B2. Maiden Voyage {Herbie Hancock, Jean Hancock} (5:23)

B3. How Are You Dreaming {Bob Crewe, Alan Shatkin} (4:32)

B4. Canteloupe Island {Herbie Hancock, Mark Murphy} (5:33)

Credits:

Producer - Helen Keane

Arranger, Co-Producer - Dave Matthews

Recording & Remixing Engineer - Wieslaw Woszczyk

Art Direction, Cover Illustration - Hal Wilson

Liner Notes - Michael Bourne