THERE has rarely been a more fruitful time in terms of social and political unrest for a writer as charged as Michael Franti – back with a new album and tour with his band Spearhead.
All Rebel Rockers, out on August 18 – the day before his Leadmill return – and recorded in Jamaica with prolific reggae production team Sly & Robbie, deviates from Franti's previous sound and combines hybrid dub-infused soul with some hard-hitting dub rock production.
Californian-born poet/musician Franti throws in the outspoken political and progressive lyrics that have made him an international prospect since his late '90s work with The Beatnigs and Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy.
Where his message with those bands was delivered in a more aggressive format for controversial themes inspired by current affairs, Franti's albums with Spearhead carry a more compassionate delivery with a few hell raisers thrown in.
As well as becoming a million-selling artist, he has become a significant voice in the peace and social justice movement and continues to influence people via talks at universities, panels at W.H.O./U.N. in Geneva, work with the likes of Oxfam and Amnesty International and his Power To The Peaceful festival in San Francisco, since exported to Brazil.
Franti has touched upon the unjust nature of the death penalty, corporate globalization and war – in 2006, inspired by a journey into the war zones of Iraq, Palestine and Israel, he released the album Yell Fire and his directorial debut and award-winning film titled I Know I'm Not Alone.
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