Maylyn Murphy
Body & Soul
Self released
Maylyn Murphy belongs to R&B’s new school, that of the classy girl next door, spiritually guided with a voice that is rooted in the soul singers of the past. When you incorporate vocals as pillow soft as Murphy’s with a contemporary urban beat, expect spectacular results. Sure enough, the record doesn’t disappoint.
On “Dream Come True,” Murphy gives disco a heart, elevating those synthetic grooves to a higher plane of existence. There is an undeniably Gospel-like quality to Murphy’s singing; it has the immaculate aura of a church choir but with a yearning edge that makes the lyrics simmer with sensuality and hopeless romanticism. Murphy can be fragile one moment and defiant another with no loss of intensity. On “Move On,” she walks away from a busted relationship with her head held proudly aloft while on “Call Me Crazy” she simply cannot let go.
As far as R&B music goes, much of the album is relatively mellow, which is probably why her marketing department is pitching it to fans of Sade and Norah Jones. It’s easy to see the similarities with Sade and Jones, like Murphy they possess soothing, mood-spinning voices. However, Murphy’s music is definitely on the urban tip, although she doesn’t completely embrace the genre until “Did You Fall,” which features guest rapping from KT.
Marylyn Murphy: http://www.maylynmurphy.com
