http://www.reverbnation.com/tunepak/song_1757972

From the moment the usual penetrating percussion – synonymous with much of reggae – give way to the horns and piano unlocking some of Lymie Murray’s music, you know you are in for something refreshingly different. When the soothing, warm vocals of this superbly gifted Jamaican singer greet your eardrums, you know for sure.  Take a listen to ‘Love and Happiness’, ‘Every time I touch you’ and ‘Blessed’’ from Murray’s first album, ‘Happy Days’, or ‘Only Conversation’ from the album of the same name and you will be captivated.

Lymie Murray’s ballads are about love and life; He sings about the beauty and power of romantic love, of passion and togetherness. The melodies are comforting and accessible and you get the sense that unlike many reggae musicians, Lymie Murray is coming from a different place. Murray’s style is often labelled classical lover’s rock, the kind of reggae offered by the likes of Beresford Hammond and Glen Washington. But oh it is so much more!   Lymie transmits a distinct cosmopolitanism, a new, soft, honey-glazed mellow sound more akin to Europeans balladeers than a Jamaican reggae singer. Make no mistake however; the beautiful reggae instrumentals and powerful message music are close at hand but beautifully melded with Murray’s cheerful and optimistic vocals.  

 ‘Happiness is when you really feel good with someone’, Murray sings in a warm silky smooth vocal delivery that has made him one of Jamaica’s most-admired singer/songwriters. Lymie does not merely sing; he inhabits the songs, breathing meaning and purpose into them. ‘I see the children dying; I hear their mothers’ cry’..   It’s been more than a decade since Lymie Murray sang his way onto on the Jamaican entertainment scene. Lymie Murray counts three albums – Happy Days, Only Conversation and Start all over, though by his own admission his complete body of unpublished work are several albums in total! ‘Only Conversation’ features songs such as the title track of the same name, La La La (means I Love you) and Jah Fire.  

His body of work carries with it a positive, uplifting energy. Radiating through the beautiful recent singles ‘Only Conversation’, ‘Rolling Thunder’ and ‘Love for the People’ are a mix of romance and hardcore reggae about righteousness and social justice – reflecting his embedded Rastafarian consciousness.  

 A captivating stage presence, personal allure, and old-fashioned good looks, Lymie Murray is far too talented and accomplished to remain in the dim light of the background. Catapulting himself from singing background vocals for one time mentor, reggae great, Freddy McGregor, to claim his own space centre stage, Lymie Murray’s time has come. Increasingly recognised for his endearing and enchanting vocals, as well as superb writing and producing abilities, Lymie Murray has earned attention and new levels of respect in the demanding Jamaican reggae music industry.  

Early Years

 Lymie Murray was born Paul Hugh Murray on October 24, 1970 in Royal Flats, Manchester. This central Jamaican parish has produced an impressive list of outstanding Jamaican artistes, including Tony Rebel, Luciano and Garnett Silk. Although his vocal talent was obvious from his teenage years, Lymie Murray pursued seriously a career in Business Management at Decarteret and Knox colleges in Manchester. Upon graduation, Lymie made a bold move, migrating to capital city Kingston to assume a 9-5 job in corporate Jamaica.   Although a corporate career at that time was certainly more stable than the often unforgiving and unpredictable reggae music industry, Lymie says it was writing, producing and performing music that envisioned his career: ‘I was singing at school concerts, – at Church and at private parties.

I had a burning desire to sing’, says Lymie Murray. Introduced to producer, Desmond ‘Shangul’ Lawson in 1993 soon led to Murray’s debut single, ‘Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head’.   By 1995, Lymie was singing with popular reggae band, Skool led by former Chalice drummer, Desi Jones. By this time, the Skool band was playing on all of the US Sunsplash (reggae festival) tours from 1993 onwards. This means that Lymie was working alongside some of Jamaica’s finest artistes, including Diana King, Dennis Brown, Barrington Levy, Steele Pulse, Judy Mowatt, Big Mountain, Toots Hibbert and Gregory Isaacs. Lymie and Skool band toured extensively throughout the United States Europe, South America and Asia. He is featured on the compilation ‘live’ album entitled ‘Skool in Session’.  

During 1997, while still on tour with Skool band, a young Lymie Murray developed a professional relationship with lovers rock crooner, Freddie McGregor. Murray’s first release on McGregor’s popular Big Ship Label was the very poignant ‘Jah I Wanna Be With You Now’, featured on the Midem 1997 compilation. His second release was a charmingly sung cover of the Tammi Tyrell and Marvin Gaye classic ‘Aint Nothing Like the Real Thing’, featuring the beautiful songstress Zoe Fox. Lymie Murray’s terrific vocal talent was undeniable and almost immediately he was touring and opening with Freddie McGregor.   Although Lymie Murray’s career has a backing vocalist has been stellar, he was eager to accelerate his solo career. Collaboration among reggae producers, Barry Clarke (BCR International), Dalton Browne (Busy Bee Records), UK-based Stingray Records and the Big Ship Label resulted in the album, ‘Start All Over’, released by Jet Star (UK).  

Performances

 By 2000, Lymie Murray’s magical vocals and extraordinary song writing skills had not only made him recognisable, but gave him a secure foothold as a potentially powerful participant in the contemporary reggae music industry. Indeed, Lymie was included in the UB40 21^st Anniversary Concert celebration held in Birmingham, England in September 2001. He also performed on the London Philharmonic Series headlined by Jamaican reggae greats, John Holt and Ken Boothe.   In December of 2001, Lymie released the album, Only Conversation released on the Big Ship/VP records label. The singer’s positive energy emanate through this album. All the elements that fans love about great musicians are present – powerful vocals, honest emotions and the sing-along melodies that people love. In 2002, Lymie embarked on tours of Japan, United States and the Caribbean to promote Only Conversation, returning home to launch his own production company called Lime Lite. He continued to perform in Jamaica from 2003 onwards, delivering superb performances on Rebel Salute, Western Consciousness, To Mom With Love, which featured American singer, Johnny Gill and the Isley Brothers and Capleton’s St Mary me Come From, East Fest and Summer Hype.   2006 was a remarkable year for this seasoned performer. He launched an album compilation entitled ‘Time for Love’ at The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel Poolside. Here, Lymie brought to life the words of his single ‘Slow and Easy’ with a soulful rendition, featuring passionate animations and distinctive melodic inflections unique to him. Lymie also mesmerised audiences on International Reggae day and Summer Hype 06.    

Lymie Murray – Writer and Producer

When he is not on stage, Lymie Murray’s haven is in the studio. Without a doubt, Lymie Murray is one of those old fashioned Jamaican workaholics – the type who immerses himself in work thoroughly and convincingly that people sometimes forget who he is. Then with little or no fanfare, he moves on to the next demanding project – ignoring the glitzy Jamaican entertainment circuit.   Lymie admits his addiction to the process of producing music. ‘I spend a considerable amount of time in studio both recording and contributing to the work of colleague artistes. I love making music’. Recent collaborations include ‘Breath of Life’ with Jah Thunda (David House, Kingston, Jamaica) and the powerful remake of Bob Marley’s ‘Who the Cap Fit’ with the firebrand deejay, Jah Mason, and produced by Gumption.   Fully in charge of his career, Lymie Murray has found renewed buoyancy.

‘ at  The singer’s innate confidence is there in ‘Only Conversation’, the title track to the album of the same name, as well as in his upbeat recent singles ‘Rolling Thunder’ and ‘Real High Grade’ where he ignores the more intimate and romantic ballads to pay tribute to his Rastafarian faith.   Inspired by love and life – and the latter’s immense possibilities, Lymie Murray’s star is ready to shine and his fans can expect the same kind of excellence he has exhibited over the years. For those who have watched and admired Lymie Murray and celebrated the career of this exceptionally gifted artiste fully know the obvious – Lymie Murray was born for the stage… and made for success.               

Check out Lymie’s Music on www.reverbnation.com/lymiemurray

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