Ben Harper

Ben Harper's music consistently manages to do two things: defy categories and collect fans with each new release. Burn to Shine marks Harper's most astute work to date, mixing soul, folk, calypso and jazz in a seamless, effortless way. Burn to Shine is the place for fans and casual listeners alike to start in their appreciation for this rare talent.

Ben Harper does everything well without doing anything particularly brilliantly. On his
fourth album, Burn to Shine, he works electric and acoustic guitars, often within the same
song, moving from keening folk ("Alone") to propulsive rock ("Less") to churchy soul ("Show
Me a Little Shame") to alt-rock's melodic crunch ("Please Bleed"). The Southern country
rock of "Steal My Kisses" - driven by a human beatbox - nestles alongside the che... More >