Ben Harper

Ben Harper is an obsessive rock 'n' roll student and a fanatical follower of the culture of music. Since his debut in the early '90s, he has reached deeply into his soul to create a vibrant mosaic of styles, from rock and blues to soul, folk, gospel, and reggae — all of which are framed by both his technique and his passion for performance. Let's kick off our Harper overview with funky, super-chilled breakthrough single "Steal My Kisses" (2000), featuring oft-favoured support band the Innocent Criminals, before checking out the irresistibly breezy blues of "Diamonds on the Inside" (2003) and the exotically arranged come-together goodness of "Better Way" (2006). For more easy-jammin' versatility, stroll over to our Ben Harper Next Steps.

Ben Harper is as compelled to move forward as he is to look back — with second album Fight for Your Mind (1995) he signalled an early willingness to fuse styles, break new ground and add lyrical heft to his sound: cue up the politically charged, reggae-blending cut, "Excuse Me Mr." Creative partnerships with an intriguing and varied array of cohorts, including the Blind Boys of Alabama (check out those straight-from-the-pew backing vocals on "Take My Hand"), have deepened Harper's already staunch appreciation for powerful music, and his evident fondness for his heroes has helped motivate him to create the same kind of enduring sounds. Dig more of Harper's many grooves, over in Deep Cuts.

With Jimi Hendrix and Bob Marley as his guides, Ben Harper, from small-town Californian stock, has followed his heart by setting out an intensely soulful exploration of great music. He makes his best impression instrumentally, with an obscure Hawaiian lap slide guitar called a Wiessenborn, from which he conjures up all manner of righteous sounds and styles — "Jah Work," a standout track on 2007's Will to Live, incorporates sweet fretboard skills into the subtlest of reggae/soul fusions. For a taste of Harper in front of an audience, we've included "Alone," recorded at a gig in France, where the artist is generally treated with nothing less than reverence.

Ben Harper understands what it means — and what it takes — to make great music. Of course, with this guy's ability to play and write, as well as sing, he's a can't-miss artist, the complete package, and one of the most soulful and enlightened performers in pop. Who else but Harper could pack so much spirit and passion into an acoustic cover of the Verve's "The Drugs Don't Work"? Who else could take Marvin Gaye's "Sexual Healing" into beach-party sing-along territory without it sounding gimmicky? Or rock hard on the title track of an album, Burn to Shine, that also dials it right back with tender, unadorned piano-ballad "Beloved One." No doubt, Harper's an artist for all seasons, so bask in his vast array of musical shades, colours, and vibes.