Not since I first heard Diana Krall, nearly five years ago, have I been so excited about the advent of a fresh new female vocalist to the music scene. Jen Murdza is going to break a lot of molds and cross lines between genres, mark my words, she is the real deal.
Her voice has exactly what jazz requires - it's sultry, soft, gripping, and passionate. Having said that, there is absolutely no way that the jazz genre can possibly hope to keep these vocals all to itself. Pop will call, blues will beg, there will be plenty to go around, and go around it will. Alanis Morissette, Jewel, bluesy, sultry, these would all be keywords in a Technorati tagline.
While slight nuances of others may come to mind, there is in fact no true comparison out there today for Jen's style, rhythm, and soul. I'm not particularly a fan of the shorter EPs, but this one makes a very big and emphatic exception to that rule. I sound like I'm courting her, I know, but I really am impressed with this woman's approach to a very tired profession.
She brings a fresh and very seductive sound to the table, and with backing by artists such as Craig Najjar, Steve Fekete, and Jenn Oberle along with Marty Walsh, this is a sound that is going to grow rapidly into a crescendo of beautiful noise, as they say. Long anticipated, this EP has five very real representations of Ms. Murdza's embracing talents as a singer and songwriter as well.
"Lamb" is a wonderful start to this EP, hinting of bright melodies and complex harmonies to come. The final track, ”This Is Real”, is a very soft and hopeful song that is representative of songs from happier times. Seldom do I take an initial release from an artist and praise it so well, but such is the mesmerizing voice of this 5'2" songstress. Performing live from Georgia to Rhode Island, Massachusetts to California, this is a sound that has flown below the radar for far too long. You heard it here first folks, mark my words.
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Jen Murdza, things untold, Butterfly Girl Music, www.jenmurdza.com
Article comments
1 - Stephanie
This girl is super talented. What a find!