Oliver Charles played with The Blind Boys Of Alabama and Ben Harper. Charles has played on and off with Harper since the singer’s 1995 offering Fight For Your Mind. For the new album, Oliver plays on four of the album’s eleven tracks—“Take My Hand,” “Wicked Man,” “Where Could I Go?,” and a cover of Jeff Buckley’s “Satisfied Mind.” Two of the other songs are performed a cappella, with drummer Rock Deadrick playing on the balance.



Charles’ years of playing live and in the studio with Harper, including tracking on 2003’s Diamonds On The Inside, helped prepare the drummer for these latest sessions. Charles states to tModern Drummer:

"Ben’s music is eclectic and some of his songs have a Gospel feel to them, so I didn’t have to change my approach this time. Ben’s a very soulful cat, and this is very soulful stuff. It’s about laying down the best groove and being as soulful as possible."

Other projects Oliver Charles is involved in, include Gogol Bordello, Lonnie Jordan (War), Rakim, De La Soul, Talib Kwali, Mos Def, Common, Ghostface Killah, Piers Faccini, Rhythm Roots All-Stars, The L.A. Allstar Revue, daKAH Hip Hop Orchestra, Project 1836, Bingewood, After Hours, Ocean 11, Cree Summer, The Soul of John Black, Weapon of Choice, Action Figure Party, Groovin High.