Jana Mashonee - New Moon Born

New Moon Born, Jana Mashonee's new album, is an earnest, serious and passionate work. Reading the statement that appears on the final page of the packet of liner notes totally explains the appropriateness of my use of those three adjectives. Mashonee, who is Native American, uses a portion of that page to introduce listeners to Jana' Kids.  The group aims to encourage Native American children to believe in themselves and reach their goals. Mashonee also volunteers her time to other organizations that serve the Native American community.  The desire that drives Mashonee to help Native American youth permeates every song on New Moon Born.

The album features love songs mixed in with life affirming anthems. I'd say that most of New Moon Born's 17 songs fit into the latter category. Listeners are definitely of two minds when it comes to so-called "positive" music. Mature listeners (and more than a few of the younger variety) say that they are tired of popular music's focus on materialism, objectification and violence. However, unless you're someone like Gil-Scott Heron, being too liberal with the affirming, positivity and educating runs the risk of being labeled as preachy.

That is clearly a risk that Mashonee is willing to take, and you have to respect her for that. She is trying to use her music to inspire. In order to get people to listen, the album has to work as a piece of art. There are plenty of earnest, serious and passionate works that fall short as works of art. New Moon Born is not perfect - 17 tracks seem a bit too much - but the record has more than a few good moments.

First of all, Mashonee, who co-wrote all of the songs, proves to be a good lyricist.  She paints pictures with words while also using lyrics to take listeners from Italy to India, China and Egypt on "Osiris' Star." "Solid Ground" works both as a song in which she declares her commitment to a significant other or to those young people Mashonee desires to help.  The mid tempo "Take Me Back," with lyrics that long for simpler times, is a song with which many people can identify.

There's a lot of material on New Moon Born - probably three to four songs too many - and at times the power of the best songs is diluted by the weaker tracks.  But Jana Mashonee is clearly a talented artist with a powerful voice and a gift with words.  Moderately Recommended

By Howard Dukes