Michael Franti & Spearhead
NewMusicForOldFolks says …
I had a friend at the University of Denver in 1981 that had an inflatable palm tree in his dorm room and, when it would snow, he would put on Jimmy Buffett albums, drink gin & tonics and pretend it was warm outside. Now, 40 years later, when winters start to get to me, "The Sound of Sunshine" by Michael Franti & Spearhead has taken the place of Jimmy Buffett, but the effect is the same. (Gin & tonics still work). It makes a gloomy day much cheerier. Franti's music is hard to categorize. It's Reggae, sort of. It's a little Hip Hop, but not really. He fits with some of the Jam bands, but only a little. It's political, but in an optimistic "love will overcome all" way. But mostly it's warm and sunny. Next time you wish the world was a nicer place — weather-wise or in any other way — check out Michael Franti & Spearhead.
Artist's Info
Website: michaelfranti.com
See them live: Tour dates
Record company: Boo Boo Wax
Genre: Funk, Jam
If you like this, look into: Jon Butler Trio, Ozomatli, G Love & Special Sauce
Bio (From the Allmusic.com)
Since his days as a member of avant-garde group the Beatnigs while in his early twenties, Michael Franti became an angry young rapper with a political, socially conscious bent in his next group, the Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy. With his later group Spearhead, he channeled his social unease and desire for change and merged them with his love for music, particularly old-school R&B, soul, reggae and hip-hop. (more)
Spotify sampler
Recordings
STAY HUMAN VOL. II (2019): "Hey y’all!!! Stay Human Vol. II is available NOW!!!! Not only is this album the soundtrack to the new Stay Human Film, but I also hope this will be the soundtrack in your life that inspires you to hold onto optimism in challenging times like the ones we are living in today —knowing there are a whole bunch of humans around the world singing the same song. Thanks for supporting the music and what it inspires in all of us. It’s an honor to #StayHuman with you," says Michael Franti.
Others
Home I (1994)
Chocolate Supa Highway (1997)
Stay Human (2001)
Everyone Deserves Music (2003)
Yell Fire! (2006)
All Rebel Rockers (2007)
The Sound of Sunshine (2010)
All People (2013)
SoulRocker (2016)
