Darryll Harper

A number of diverse influences have helped shape the musical language of Malcolm Dedman (born in London in 1948 but resident in provincial South Africa since 2007), among them Bartók and Messiaen, his Bahá’í Faith and, more recently, his new South African homeland.

"Call It What It Is", the long awaited album that reunites Ben Harper with The Innocent Criminals, is the first recorded album by the band in 9 years. The 11 track album is an incisive, bold, poetic statement that could only come from these long-time musical partners, one of popular music's most essential, cohesive and dynamic ensembles. Call It What It Is is kinetic and emotional, flowing with spark, depth, passion and growth that Ben Harper core fans love the world over.

One of the best-known players of the post-Coltrane generation, Texas tenor saxophonist Billy Harper earned his spurs with Art Blakey, Randy Weston, Gil Evans, and Max Roach. This 1979 album features Harper’s then-current working group. Fellow Texan Malcolm Pinson and Harper have been playing partners since high school. Bassist Wayne Dockery gained recognition through his work with Art Blakey; trumpeter Everett Hollins’ roots are grounded in rhythm and blues including work with the legendary Otis Redding, and pianist Armen Donelian worked with jazz giants Lionel Hampton and Sonny Rollins.

Part harmonica wizard and part rhythmic explorer, Harper is a fiery artist who blurs the lines between rock, folk and blues. His use of the didgeridoo, an indigenous wind instrument of his native Australia, along with his compelling original songwriting and sublime vocals, gives Harper a distinctive sound entirely his own. Harper's music is instantly memorable, with a deeply soulful groove.

Harper Valley P.T.A.: The Plantation Recordings 1968-70 Review by Mark Deming
In 1968, Jeannie C. Riley became one of the biggest stars in country music almost overnight when her recording of Tom T. Hall's "Harper Valley P.T.A." became a massive hit on both the C&W and pop charts, topping both at a time when there was precious little crossover between the formats. While Riley would never enjoy another success as great as "Harper Valley P.T.A.," she fared well on the country charts over the next few years, and her records were fine stuff, with Riley's voice well suited to the tough, sassy attack of "The Cotton Patch," "Harper Valley P.T.A.," and "The Widow Jones," as well as darker, more thoughtful material like "No Brass Band," "Shed Me No Tears," and the proto-feminist "The Rib."

Recorded on his 2000 tour, this double live album from Ben Harper is split into two: a solo acoustic disc and an electric disc with his band the Innocent Criminals, reflecting a sampling of what audiences heard each night in concert. In addition to Harper's originals songs, including the hit single Steal My Kisses, the album contains cover versions of Marvin Gaye's "Sexual Healing", "The Drugs Don't Work" by the The Verve and Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love".

Billy Harper’s Capra Black is a cornerstone of spiritual jazz, marking a monumental achievement as his debut album as a bandleader.

Billy Harper’s Capra Black is a cornerstone of spiritual jazz, marking a monumental achievement as his debut album as a bandleader. Released in 1973 on the iconic Strata-East label, it established Harper as a distinctive voice and set the stage for his future work. Featuring drummer Elvin Jones, trumpeter Virgil Jones, and pianist George Cables, Capra Black showcases Harper’s bold artistic vision with compositions that weave themes of resilience, cultural identity, and spirituality, capturing both the charged energy of the era and a profound emotional depth.