Daily News from New York, New York • 146

MOP CO BB te Can Eddie Murphy sing, too? malic RAW "UH-UII-Uir and other earthy grunts were belted out with an I authenticity that could only come out of the mouth of the natural blaster himself: James Brown. And the long, throaty phrasing and sanctified rhythms were so reminiscent of Stevie Wonder that they sounded like the real thing. These were only two of the many vocal clones made by the irrepressible funnyman Eddie Murphy over the past five years as part of his comedy routine. But he sang them with so much depth and conviction that it was apparent that there was more than a comedian hiding beneath those funny bones. Why not a singer? At age 24, Murphy has developed into perhaps the hottest, entertainer in show business.

By age 19, he became a TV star as a member of the cast of NBC "Saturday Night Live. And by 22, he had starred in three films: "48 Hours," "Trading Places" and "Beverly Hills Cop," the latter of which grossed some $100 million in the first five weeks. Just because he's done so well elsewhere doesn't mean he can sing. Theater and opera are perhaps the only two genres that have successfully blended both comedy and singing. Hundreds of comedians, actors and other entertainers from the tube and Hollywood have explored the field of singing, but only a few have actually succeeded, artistically or commercially.

THE COLOR FIELD Virgins and Philistines (Chrysalis) This debut album by Britain's The Color Field contains an assortment of enticing and upbeat new wave tunes. It features Terry Hall, the lead singer of the Specials and Fun Boy Three. The band's rendition of the old Roaches tune "Hammond Song" has hit potential, as do other selections. ROBY Roby (Silver BlueEpic) -f A As a disco belter, Canadian model Roby is clearly not as sensational as '4" she was in haute couture. This album doesn't seem to be geared for the artistic market, but disco dancers should love it.

My choice is "Bored I I JOHN WAITE I -J fi MASK OF SMILES COREY HART BJ fr BOY IN THE BOX -Cl anus swm umm a 1 KHN WAIT! NSatafe "jf IKjjJV Mask Of Smites Jl2x featuring The Hit- I rrvA-fca mj Every Step Of The Way coriv hart Boy In The Box ft CHEAP TRICK mm liUOIIi Ml HPH i featuring The Hit SXAJHDINQ OXTHI EDO! fj MAX IXJ1.II II BK Never Surrender (FROM THE UNMRGROUMD) 1 -g-L Li- SSSuf' SSssZJi. On The Edge ffSSSTL BT tourins'rneH. 1 HOOTERS fifW' i 'isz" ens Black Codes (((g))) I i All ySi Zombie. (From The Underjround) 1 111 i 1 7 And We Danced -i I iigJKt8 Available On 1 Aural Oasis ttS Compact Disc 12.99 1 mi i in inr-JJsSiSMy, a Part-Tim, lover Stefi t-j- -JT- 4 I TINA TWtMIR nfLf iftisti -T Mad Max Beyond Thunderome rniit irf y-fri A Onqmal Motion Picture Soundtrack Vj Inria. an I PnPPfTT VJVJ Featuring The Hrt.

aUpC :) I and Beautiful," an alluring yet whiny punk-rap tune with humorous lyrics. ROMANTICS Rhythm Romance (Newperor) The Romantics is not an outfit to be taken lightly when it comes to superb, straight-ahead rock roll. The cut "Better Make A Move" is rockabilly, but most of the others are new wave with a strong n' flavor. ALAN VEGA Just A Million Dreams (Z Elektra) Most rockers may recall Alan Vega as the lead singer of the band Suicide back in the mid-'70s and they may be temporarily alarmed as he makes a compromise here and there in the pop sense on this new offering. Don't despair.

His overall EDDIE MURPHY How Could It Be (Columbia) Murphy either through natural talent or extraordinary professional guidance has not exactly mastered the field of pop singing here, but makes an impressive mark, as this singing debut effort demonstrates. The music sounds majestic, but there is little originality a vital musical ingredient. Murphy's dominant influences include Smokey Robinson's sensual and fragile falsetto, Michael Jackson's melodicharmonic weav-ings, Wonder's sanctified phrasing and Rick James' pounding, funk-drive. Wonder and James were both directly involved in either the production, arrangements, compositions or actual singing of certain songs on the album. However, were it not for the assertiveness and power of Murphy, these artists would have totally consumed him.

He manages, somehow, to rise above it all via his polished, enthusiastic and determined sound, particularly on such cuts as the Jacksonian ballad "How Could It 9 Be." He's committed alright The most intriguing track is "I c5 Wish," an original composition that f- exudes Murphy's imagination, his bounding lyricism and an emotional 3 depth spurred in part by Wonder, 9 who offers a spirited harmonica solo. Not suprisingly, Murphy shows a lot of promise as a lyricist. Indeed, the 'i tunes "C-O-N Confused" and Me, Us, We" are clever and worthy of mild literary scrutiny. All in all, I 1 would have preferred more briginal-3 ity and stronger, clearer vocals from M.IPnhv hut his sinking debut is on original quality is intact, notably on the tune "Ra Ra Baby." TELEVISION'S GREATEST HITS! WW- lelevijiDrfj 65 TV Themes From The 50's and 60's! ORfATEST 111 4 urn mrn 1 featuring favorites lAe The Beverly HWbMtes The Addamt famty My Three Son I love Lucy Batman The Lone Ranger Secret Agent Man And Marry 1 1 8 LP OR CASSETTE SET lw ROCKLAND STAN GETZ The Soft Swing (Verve) Tenor-saxophonist Stan Getz has made more records than probably he himself can recall, but this outing of the late '50s has got to be one of his better works. He displays here his special brand of lyricism and a forceful yet effortless approach that is his trademark.

Getz' treatment of the standard "All the Things You Are" should be required listening for anyone interested in hearing how beautifully a melody line can be followed. This one is tremendous, MANHATTAN I At BROOKLYN QUEENS Md cartir NEW JERSEY sm aoim Mrmttn I an 111 an im SlrMI tHMf MWall 1139 inn 11 auiuCT TOT0WA 1 75 ftacklMkf CMaMr taUVMai lM Sisr' s.TECT,CUT WESTCHESTER HaarjMlE i aM PoM M. Mi ImH Mai nawa i SA0U 4.1 WW MM MlWl im cm Mm ttr Ij; iihmm wa E-J BRONX Imm urn imm ttnaSMVIMlIMM fMuS liiio it AST tRUHSWICa itio ai sar Imm lMiMaaa 1 Record ft Tape Asylums solid ground and well worth checking OUt rf ftttit JALI1 DAT! TI7-19I.