Reviewed by Andy Long

It's been six years since Ben's last album, 'Generation', a classic album that surely should have had a follow-up sooner. Anyway the wait is now over and this small but perfectly-formed platter will definitely surpass the expectations of Ben's thumb-twiddling fans. Ben spent a lot of time in the States last year working on a collection of 25 new songs and this CD represents the first release of any of this new material. The opening track, "You'll Be Fine" has a traditional African groove which will have even the most wooden-limbed conservatives up and dancing. The African theme blends neatly with the lyrics and the song includes what is destined to become a classic quote - "Until the lions have their own historians, tales of the hunter will always be glorified." The three remaining songs on the EP are in Ben's more familiar reggae style. The mellow "Help Me" with it's Bob Marley flavour, the title track, which betrays just a hint of a blues influence (check out the solo) and "New Sun" which betrays something of a more contemporary feel and brings a subtle contrast to the whole. Don't ask me about the musicianship, there are no credits, maybe he played it all himself? Whatever, this is Ben at his best.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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