Ben Harper

Ben Harper

and the Innocent Criminals–

Burn to Shine (Virgin)

Ben Harper calls upon a rogues gallery of funkified sidepersons– the Real Time Jazz Band (“Suzie Blue”), instrumentalist David Lindley (“In the Lord’s Arms”) and reggae axeman Tyrone Downie– to aid flavorings to his fourth down-home set of buttery soul and electric gospel-folk. Harper’s easy-rolling mid-tempo style is infectious, and he’s got a way with the slow dance, but he doesn’t always convince when he rocks out. Hit around the house: “Steal My Kisses.” For more on Harper’s philosophy of life and guitar tunings, log on at www.benharper.com

– Don Harrison