Recorded at Sunset Sound Recorders, Hollywood, California.

Personnel includes: Ben Harper (vocals, various instruments); Ladysmith Black Mambazo (vocals); Nicky P., Al Anderson (guitar); Greg Leisz (pedal steel); Amy Wilkins (harp); Danielle Charles-Hunter (violin); Darrell Sims (viola); Rebecca Yeh (cello); Leo Chelyapov (clarinet); Barbara Nightengale (accordion); Ron Blake (trumpet); David Ralikce (trombone); Greg Kurstin (electric piano, Clavinet, celeste, Hammond B-3 organ); Juan D. Nelson (bass); Oliver Francis Charles (drums, background vocals); Leon Mobley (percussion, background vocals); Carla L. Benson, Misty Love (background vocals).

Recorded at Sunset Sound Recorders, Hollywood, California.

This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.

Personnel: Ben Harper (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, slide guitar, organ, bass synthesizer, drums); Ladysmith Black Mambazo (vocals); Nicky P. (guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Al Yasha Anderson (guitar); Amy Wilkins (harp); Darrel Sims (viola); Timothy Loo, Rebecca Yeh (cello); Leo Chelyapov (clarinet); Ron Blake (trumpet); David Ralicke (trombone); Greg Kurstin (piano, celesta, electric piano, Clavinet, Mellotron, synthesizer, background vocals); Josef Zimmerman (upright bass); Oliver Francis Charles (drums, background vocals); Leon Mobley (percussion, sound effects, background vocals); Carla Benson, Misty Love, Juan Nelson, John Ingram (background vocals).

Audio Mixer: Todd Burke.

Recording information: Sunset Sound Recorders, Hollywood, CA.

Photographers: Warren Darius Aftahi; Jon Shapiro; Blue Sky.

Arrangers: Greg Kurstin; Ben Harper.

Ben Harper is a musical preacher of sorts, never one to be shy in speaking his mind about social conformity. If his first two albums -- Welcome to the Cruel World and Fight for Your Mind -- didn't clue you in, Diamonds on the Inside will definitely do so. Diamonds on the Inside marks Harper's fifth studio effort and this time he's emotionally in touch with what makes his heart burst. This is a passionate album, no doubt. His signature Weissenborn guitar joins him once more and Harper's classic groovy funk is heavy; however, Harper adds worldbeat to his musical plank. From the Marley-esque vibe of "With My Own Two Hands" to the African soundscapes of Ladysmith Black Mambazo on "Picture of Jesus," Harper's purist presentation is smooth. "When It's Good" gives a little country blues twang, while "Touch From You Lust" is a sexy haze of writhing riffs. "Temporary Remedy" follows the funk Lenny Kravitz-style, and Harper's a bit campy. It's a noticeable change from his typically serious stature and a nice shift in personality, too. Diamonds on the Inside is another stunning effort from one of rock's underground heroes. Harper has consistently worked with what appeals to him musically for nearly a decade, ignoring what fits the mainstream. Diamonds on the Inside is Harper's sixth chapter of truth and just one listen to the electric blaze of "Everything" will convince you. ~ MacKenzie Wilson

In the three years-plus interim between this and his last studio album, Ben Harper traversed the world, and the already introspective singer/songwriter has clearly done even more soul-searching and emerged with his most earnest (and that's no mean feat), focused set to date. DIAMONDS ON THE INSIDE flows organically with that transcendent feeling exemplfied by lines so simple and revealing as "can you look into my eyes, or has your heart gone blind," which harbor the ability to subtly wend their way into the subconscious and the heart simultaneously.

Harper's gathered his acclaim via trenchant lyricism and his knack for adeptly and sincerely blending many styles into a rocking, grooving concoction. On "Brown Eyed Blues," he channels Al Green before breaking down into a jam reminiscent of Santana or War, then follows it with the P-Funk-esque "Bring The Funk." He recalls Sam Cooke's spirituals on the breathtaking "When She Believes," and can pull off a reincarnation of Cat Stevens at his apex on the title track, as well as on "Amen Omen," and "Everything." With this solid, thoughtful record, Harper continues the heartfelt soul-folk-funk-jam. that won him a cult following from Deadheads to indie rockers.

In the three years-plus interim between this and his last studio album, Ben Harper traversed the world, and the already introspective singer/songwriter has clearly done even more soul-searching and emerged with his most earnest (and that's no mean feat), focused set to date. DIAMONDS ON THE INSIDE flows organically with that transcendent feeling exemplfied by lines so simple and revealing as "can you look into my eyes, or has your heart gone blind," which harbor the ability to subtly wend their way into the subconscious and the heart simultaneously.

Harper's gathered his acclaim via trenchant lyricism and his knack for adeptly and sincerely blending many styles into a rocking, grooving concoction. On "Brown Eyed Blues," he channels Al Green before breaking down into a jam reminiscent of Santana or War, then follows it with the P-Funk-esque "Bring The Funk." He recalls Sam Cooke's spirituals on the breathtaking "When She Believes," and can pull off a reincarnation of Cat Stevens at his apex on the title track, as well as on "Amen Omen," and "Everything." With this solid, thoughtful record, Harper continues the heartfelt soul-folk-funk-jam. that won him a cult following from Deadheads to indie rockers.