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 Caught in the Carousel "There will be music despite everything"
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Jen Murdza
Good Little Worker Bees
Self-released
Singer-songwriter Jen Murdza crafts a musical rainbow that pulls from many influences, including pop, funk, soul, R&B and jazz. Her strong voice and emotional command eliminate cookie-cutter tracks, varying sultry, playful, funky, gritty, and mellow as needed—Shelby Lynne meets Chrissie Hynde meets Joss Stone. The opening track "All These Little Voices" hits hard and fast with a great bluesy-pop hook and catchy lyrics ("When there's so many choices/It's hard to know what yours is"). Thematically, Worker Bees is a happy album, with just-found-love songs, like "Top of the World" ("I'm on top of the world now that I've found you"), which just barely manages to avoid being treacly. "Sweet Savoir" switches pace to a sultry lullaby; "Exhale" is fueled by smooth jazz and "Roam" is a country ballad.
Murdza also reminds me of Vonda Shepard, the Ally McBeal chanteuse from that 90's TV show. Without laying the curse of another on her, Murdza matches Shepard's ability to belt out the funky-soul, particularly on tracks like "Unwind" and "Lonely." "I Dare You" shows off an edgier side. "Thank You" is full-on Dixie jazz and sass ("You're no longer there beside me/There's nobody to scratch my itch"), which has to be the most blameless break-up song. It's just so damn fun.
Good Little Worker Bees is Murdza's second full-length CD, and it's self-produced with assurance. She gathered some of Boston's best horn and string musicians: Scott Aruda (Susan Tedeschi), John Aruda, Paul Ahlstrad, Dana Price, and Brandon Brooks (Mike Post, yes that Mike Post), and together they sound seamless. Good Little Worker Bees is like walking into an ice cream shop-there's something for almost everyone.
—Lyn Dunagan
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