CD Box Collection
True devotees of supercharged singer-songwriter Ben Harper, as well as latecomers interested in fleshing out their collection in a hurry, will be interested in this three-disc special-edition set. Harper's first three albums-1994'sWelcome to the Cruel World, 1995'sFight for Your Mind, and 1998'sThe Will to Live-are collected in one compact burlap-coated box that also includes a thoughtful essay by rock critic Steve Appleford on "The Music and Message of Ben Harper." Be forewarned that there are no additional tracks included here. Harper's soulful musical mix has defied genre categorization from the start, and these three formative titles chart his amazing growth as an artist.--Marc Greilsamer