Home in the Heart by Krishna Das (2 CDs)

Krishna Das’s latest work, “Home In The Heart,” is both a profound, introspective return to the roots of spiritual practice and a celebration of the places where the mysterious and the sacred meet the familiar. In his first album in seven years, Krishna Das—true to his character—navigates a path between tradition and experimentation. In over 70 minutes of singing, spread across eight new tracks, he draws on cross-generational kirtans, timeless melodies, and mantras that have been passed down from family to family, friend to friend, and follower to follower. At the same time, he presents new songs that are melodically shaped by his unmistakable, soulful blend of American folk, blues, and soul. This collection feels particularly intimate. The arrangements are mostly simple, minimalist, and understated, providing the perfect backdrop for Krishna Das’s ever-present baritone voice. His voice is the familiar voice of the seeker within us all, who, in deep longing, calls out through the divine names for an ineffable divinity and—yet is not separate from the name—treads the well-worn paths of devotion, evoking greats such as Son House and Reverend Gary Davis. Ultimately, “Home In The Heart” is a masterfully crafted recording, but like all of Krishna Das’s recordings, it’s not so much about the performance—it’s about presence. It invites us to pause, sit down, and start anew—to find a place of deep belonging in the names and in the singing.

Total runtime: 01:30:12