Ben Harper - Diamonds on the Inside

When he mixes high-powered rock and gentle ballads, Harper sounds like a strange hybrid of Lenny Kravitz and Tracy Chapman. Fortunately, the California native mostly sticks to his own brand of bluesy folk, with hints at other styles. “With My Own Two Hands” is progressive reggae, while “Brown Eyed Blues” is inventive funk. The sweetest tracks have spiritual overtones: “Blessed to Be a Witness” suggests a smooth Taj Mahal, while “Picture of Jesus” features the inspirational vocals of Ladysmith Black Mambazo.