Michael Franti & Spearhead

The latest theme of mix CDs is strategic planning (don't ask why...).  So I'm thinking about geopolitics, Northern and Southern hemispheres, war, leaders, etc... then stumble across this new release from Michael Franti & Spearhead.  Now I can't stop bopping about to get the mix done before I hit vacationland.... enjoy    

Sly & Robbie can do no wrong! Masters of their craft, the Riddim Twins are blazing with a quiet power alongside Spearhead in this new Michael Franti tune, "All I Want Is You". The bass, the drums, the echo are smooth and lazy like this sweltering heatwave in Cali right now. And yes - the reggae is back in sublime effect: Michael Franti & Spearhead 'All I Want Is You': Pure niceness. Directed by Ras Kassa. Off the upcoming new album, All Rebel Rockers. More... MORE

I dig Michael Franti and I LOVE Spearhead, but my interest in his work had started to wane in recent years. For starters, I'm wide awake,angry and aware of what's going on in the world, so Yell Fire! is preaching to the converted. Plus, I liked their reggae sounds of yesteryear and wasn't so into the rock stylings they've adopted. Well, Franti must have noticed this shift in his fanbase, coz he and Spearhead have hit the studio to make a record for people like us! I ju... MORE

All out for March 19!In San Francisco, ANSWER has initiated a mass demonstration on the evening of March 19 (the actual day that the invasion began) following militant direct actions that will take place throughout the earlier part of the in the Bay Area. A wide number of groups are planning and mobilizing for those actions. In Florida, ANSWER is organizing and mobilizing for demonstrations throughout the state during the same days. In New York City, Chicago, Seattle, and ... MORE

Just a few months ago, I was having a discussion with my 18 year old daughter about music.. and I asked her if she ever listened to music with a message - you know, songs like "Ohio" and "For What It's Worth". I managed to build into her an appreciation for music of past generations.. but lately she's consumed with Hip Hop and R&B - most of which is somewhat devoid of any sort of socially redeeming message.. and then a friend turned me onto Michael Franti.. and like ma... MORE

Great title track off new Michael Franti & Spearhead album, Yell Fire!

To add a little to the post below... A few years back Franti went to middle east to meet with locals and see first hand how the new American occupation of Iraq and older Israeli occupation of Palestine effects the lives of citizens. He filmed his encounters and assembled them into the documentary, "I Know I'm Not Alone." It's an extremely well done, powerful piece of film. While Franti lyrics are almost always politically charged the purpose of this film is just to d... MORE

Michael Franti & Spearhead are celebrating the success of their 2006 album Yell Fire! with the digital only release of Yell Fire! Live this fall. Yell Fire! was critically acclaimed, praised for its educational, socially conscious lyrics, yet still keeping the music fun, entertaining and Fresh. Franti also released a documentary about the Iraq war in 2005 titled "I’m Not Alone". Franti & Spearhead are set to work with producer Matt Wallace for the follow up album.

F... MORE

Wasn't anyone at Mountain Jam??? Franti's set was incredible...followed up by mama bear w/ 3 cubs on mountain... He showed love to everyone in that crowd and the world...(got a kiss myself)...

One of my favorite artists: Michael Franti. I got into him when he dropped The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, and I've followed him ever since. He's true to himself, and he's true to his message, which was heavily inflenced by Gil Scott-Heron at the beginning of his career. This is him with his band, Spearhead, at Coachella: From 2001's Stay Human: Rock the Nation Disposable Heroes' first single, "Television, The Drug of the Nation":

What is music to you? If music was imagery, what would it look like? Music can torture terrorists and enemies into speaking up. Has music ever caused you to speak up?

I wish I could come up with stuff to write about more often here but I'm afraid I'm more of a visual person rather than a writer. I can listen to music all day long but if you ask me to describe it or explain how it moves me I'm usually at a loss. Every now and then I can come up with the words to match my thoughts but it's pretty rare. At the moment I'm trying to write an introduction/foreword to my first book of photographs of punk rock bands. I swear it would be easie... MORE

Really enjoying this record. Very political and positive energy. He'll be playing in San Francisco at the Power to the Peaceful festival which he organizes in two weeks. Should be a great show. New Monsoon is also playing as well.

So today I stopped by my fine local music retailers to catch up on new releases and took a listen to the new Michael Franti record "Yell Fire" I blogged on yesterday. I listened to portions of every track so I may be shortchanging it but I'd give it a 'kinna dope' rating. About as good as "Everyone Deserves Music" but not on par with "Stay Human" or the classic "Home". Franti wrote and recorded parts of Fire in Jamaica with Sly & Robbie, and those were definitely my fa... MORE