JJ Murphy’s Sleep Paralysis Octave Records

JJ Murphy’s Sleep Paralysis is Octave Records’ latest release, featuring guitarist JJ Murphy and a stellar group of musicians on an album of melodic instrumental inventiveness, recorded in stunning high-resolution audio –

December 22, 2025 – Octave Records’ latest release, Sleep Paralysis by guitarist JJ Murphy, is a deft musical odyssey through a variety of genres ranging from jazz to fusion, blues, Americana, and more, ultimately blending into Murphy’s uniquely melodic style. Complemented by Wyatt Walker Wear on bass and Octave Records’ own Braxton Kahn on drums and Tom Amend on piano, organ, bass clarinet, synthesizer, and flute, Sleep Paralysis is anything but somnolent, enlivening listeners with lively, expressive musicianship and captivating tunes. It’s all captured with extraordinary clarity and presence, thanks to Octave Records’ state-of-the-art Pure DSD high-resolution recording process. JJ Murphy is a Denver-based guitarist and composer whose sound bridges everything from modern jazz to folk traditions and unfettered improvisation.

A versatile performer and recording artist, Murphy has collaborated with notable musicians including Natalie Cressman (Trey Anastasio), Todd Smallie (Derek Trucks), Shawn Eckels (Andy Frasco and the UN), and Ryan Connors (Hozier). His electric guitar tone is warm and pure, and on “Coco Diaz,” he switches to acoustic guitar. Why is the album called Sleep Paralysis? As JJ tells it, “You wake up, and you can’t move because when you’re sleeping, your brain produces some chemical to paralyze you so you won’t act out your dreams. But sometimes you’ll wake up, and you’re stuck in that state. It’s like you’re tripping on your own brain chemicals. And a lot of times it feels like you’re about to be revealed some very important information.”

Together, Murphy and the band walk the boundary between structure and improvisation, playing the melody of the tune and then taking off into spontaneous musical interplay, embracing the sensibilities of jazz instrumentalists and jam bands while retaining a sense of lyricism and purpose. Sleep Paralysis was recorded, produced, and mixed by Paul McGowan at Octave Studios. Gus Skinas did the mastering. The album was recorded using Octave’s Pyramix Pure DSD system to capture every detail and all the dynamic impact of the band’s deeply communicative musicianship. Listeners will feel like they’re enjoying the band with intimate realism. The album was mastered using a PS Audio PMG Signature DAC and preamp and mixed on PS Audio’s flagship Aspen FR30 loudspeaker to ensure the ultimate in recording fidelity. The album leads off with “Valentine’s Day,” a song that showcases Murphy’s relaxed, confident playing and burnished guitar tone. The rhythm section is in the pocket, as it is on every cut on Sleep Paralysis, with Wyatt Walker Wear providing a solid electric bass foundation. “Millennium” picks up the pace with sympathetic interplay between Murphy and the rich Hammond organ of Tom Amend.

“As Time Slips Away” offers delightful ensemble playing with Tom Amend playing flute as an added tonal color. “Coco Diaz” features Murphy on acoustic guitar, spicing up the blues-flavored song with some slinky slide playing. Amend shines on acoustic piano, which is captured with extraordinary presence. “Sleep Paralysis,” the title track, takes its time unfolding, stating the opening melody and then expanding upon it with subtle variations in feel and texture. “Free Improv” gives the musicians the chance to stretch and play off each other with the excitement of not knowing where the music may go next, but with the cohesion of a band that can sense how to interact and even go a little “out there.”

The closing track, “Al Pacino,” is a medium-tempo 3/4-time song that has Murphy stretching out with chord-melody playing and meditative lead lines, the perfect ending to an album that reveals more with each listening. 

Sleep Paralysis features Octave’s premium gold disc formulation, and the disc is playable on any SACD, CD, DVD, or Blu-ray player. It also has a high-resolution DSD layer that is accessible by using any SACD player or a PS Audio SACD transport. In addition, the master DSD and PCM files are available for purchase and download, including DSD 512, DSD 256, DSD 128, DSD 64, and DSDDirect Mastered 352.8 kHz/24-bit, 176.2 kHz/24-bit, 88.2 kHz/24-bit, and 44.1 kHz/24-bit PCM. (SRP: $29.) If you’re a member of the media and would like Sleep Paralysis for review, please contact Frank Doris at frank@psaudio.com or 631-645-5668.