This, Ben Harper’s first solo album since 2006, is inspired by events over the last year and a half of his life. He regards it as a timeline for that period. The album’s message is one of finding meaning and a place in the world, of never giving up and always moving forward. His trademark Weissenborn guitar is not front and centre but his evocative vocals fill every song with emotion and power.

Jackson Browne and Ringo Starr appear on the album and Starr actually co-wrote two of the tracks. The first single, ‘Rock’n’Roll Is Free’ was written after opening for Neil Young’s London concert last year and pays tribute to Young’s ‘Rockin’ In The Free World’, looking at the world in new ways and using music to challenge the status quo. Ben Harper has always been a conscientious and mindful musician and this release shows that his message is still one of hope for the world we live in.

Lou Fulco is a friend of Readings.