Averse to what's hip, Ben Harper has been drawing his own plan for decades. For Call It What It Is he is once again assisted by The Innoncent Criminals. With that band he made the album in 2007, that it also worked well in the Netherlands. With or without a backing group, Harper always has his own plan. Per song he hops from style to style, with his soulful voice as the common thread. Call It What
… It Is starts energetically with the cheerful rocker When Sex Was Dirty and ends with the lighter ballad Goodbye To You. In between, Harper makes room for a reggae song (Finding Our Way) and a beautiful song about aging (How Dark Is Gone). Most notable song is the title track, a protest song in which Harper fiercely teaches against racist police officers. Musically, the singing craftsman Harper does not surprise with this album, but he does not disappoint in any way. (PdK)more
