Personnel: Ben Harper (vocals, acoustic & Weissenborn guitars); Danielle Charles (violin); Brett Banduci (viola); Timothy Loo (cello); Ervin Pope (Hammond B-3 organ); Juan Nelson, Carey Christensen (bass); Oliver Charles (drums); Bob "Stiv" Coke (tamboura, sarod, tabla); Leon Lewis Mobley (percussion).

Personnel: Ben Harper (vocals, acoustic guitar); Bob "Stiv" Coke (sarod, tamboura, tabla, tambourine); Danielle Charles (violin); Brett Banduci (viola); Timothy Loo (cello); Ervin Pope (organ); Oliver Charles (drums); Leon Mobley (percussion).

Audio Mixers: Eric Sarafin; The Dub Brothers; Femi Jiya.

Recording information: Esplosive Studio 12; Grandmaster Recording; Mad Dog Studios, Venice, CA.

Photographers: Bob "Stiv" Coke; Jeff Gottlieb.

Unknown Contributor Role: Ben Harper.

With languorous poetry (think 1970s-era Dylan) delivered in a passionate, earthy voice distinctly redolent of Richie Havens, Ben Harper earned immediate attention for his genuine, and often vigorous, brand of bluesy folk rock. He opens his 1995 debut, FIGHT FOR YOUR MIND, in socially conscious mode with the Odetta-esque "Oppression" and the stirring clarion call of the brilliant first single, "Ground on Down." However, Harper swiftly reveals a talent for the soft, somber, introspective love song (a la Tim Hardin) on tracks like "Another Lonely Day." Harper arcs the record towards a spiritual finale, and a stirring one; the surprisingly lush (orchestral even) one-two punch of "Power of the Gospel" and "God Fearing Man" echoes the revival attitude of the earliest days of blues and folk.

Fight for Your Mind fully embraces Ben Harper's influences (Dylan, Marley, Havens, and Hendrix) into a complete sound while simultaneously broadening his thematic and musical palette. Oliver Charles' tactile drumming and Leon Mobley's percussion work give a sparkle to Harper's music that was absent on his debut. Songs like "Gold to Me" and "Excuse Me Mr." show Harper growing as a poet, approaching ideas via more subtle avenues. The single "Ground on Down" and epic jam "God Fearing Man" capture some of the explosive energy of his live performances. The latter makes allusions to "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," and that's exactly what Harper does -- allows his trademark Weissenborn guitar to scream out to his audience. The only misstep on this album is his sophomoric weed anthem "Burn One Down," but one might argue that a little tarnish adds character. ~ Ryan Randall Goble