Jana Herzen, Passion Of A Lonely Heart
By Elaine Alluin
Jana Herzen is a singer-songwriter who is embraces the genre of folk, world, rock and jazz. Herzen is the founder of Motéma Music, a Harlem-based record label that centered on jazz and world music
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/passion-of-a-lonely-heart/id568487718
With her record label Herzen has been able to evolve as an artist and explore different genres of music.
Herzen has immersed herself in the world of jazz and has worked to explore and develop the sound. “That’s always been my interest-what happens at the borders when classical mixes with jazz or hip-hop mixes with jazz,” she said. “Coming into this, I was a world-music enthusiast.” According to .
Herzen is a woman of many talents. She started performing at a young age of 5. As she entered her teen years and twenties she began to purse her talent as an actress and script writing.
Working as an actress she gained the experience and knowledge she needed to guide to the world of music.
Herzen has played her guitar since she was 13 years old. She soon realized that her dream and passion lied within song writing and singing.
Passion Of A Lonely Heart is Herzen’s second album. She waited nearly a decade to release this album. Herzen performs with guitar in hand and soulful voice. Listening to the album you can picture yourself in an intimate venue as her soothing voice fills the room.
The moving combination of the guitar and bass intro starts off album and shifts to a slow intimate tempo. Each track is authentic and engaging. Charnett Moffett, a virtuosic bassist, accompanies Herzen in this album. The collaboration is flawless and captures the essence of folk and jazz.
All the tracks embark on sweet narrative that follows the theme of love and lust and carry a consistent sound. “My Baby Cares For Me” showcases the folky aspect of her voice. Herzen’s voice becomes sensual in the track “Secrets Are Safe With Me.”
Passion Of A Lonely Heart has the acoustic vibe down perfectly as the lyrics and beat entwine in eclectic coherence.