Michael Franti and Spearhead - All Rebel Rockers
by Maarten Schiethart
published: 24 / 8 / 2008
Label:
Anti Records
Format: CD
intro
Reggae-rock crossover from funk outfit Michael Franti and Spearhead, who prove to be the missing link between Bob Marley and Tom Petty on this latest album
Somehow nearly coming full cycle from a round trip through black music, Spearhead deconstruct funk music on this new album and return to bare essentials like rhythm and blues and reggae. 'All Rebel Rockers' is astoundingly non-electronic, unplugged if you must, yet electric. Spearhead live perform samples, such as from 'World Destruction' by Afrika Bambaataa and John Lydon on the title track. Spearhead might have lost some of their edge, but 'All Rebel Rockers' is a nice return to mid-season form. The reggae-rock crossover stays clear of a pretentious musical concept, much like The Clash did. There are no hints of dancehall or dubstep. If Spearhead weren't focusing on the issues of the present time on this record, 'All Rebel Rockers' could have been one of 1988's best albums. The ballads that dominate the second half tend to make me believe they are the missing link between Bob Marley and Tom Petty. Did someone already coin the term Afro-Americana? This is such.
Track Listing:-
1 Rude Boys Back In Town2 A Little Bit Of Riddim [feat. Cherine Tanya Anderson]
3 Life In The City
4 Hey World (Remote Control Version)
5 All I Want Is You
6 Say Hey (I Love You) [feat. Cherine Tanya Anderson]
7 I Got Love For You
8 Soundsystem [feat. Cherine Tanya Anderson]
9 Hey World (Don't Give Up Version)
10 The Future
11 High Low [feat. Zap Mama]
12 Nobody Right, Nobody Wrong
13 Have A Little Faith
Label Links:-
https://www.facebook.com/antirecordshttp://antirecords.tumblr.com/
https://www.youtube.com/user/antirecords
https://twitter.com/antirecords
http://www.anti.com/
live reviews |
|
KOKO, London, 21/8/2008 |
|
| At the London KOKO Dan Cressey finds reggae-pop act Michael Franti and Spearhead's happy vibes and positivity both surprisingly infectious and winning |
most viewed articles
current edition
Peter Doherty - Blackheath Halls, Blackheath and Palace Halls, Watford, 18/3/2025 and 21/3/2025Armory Show - Interview with Richard Jobson
Liz Mitchell - Interview
Deb Googe and Cara Tivey - Interview
Lauren Mayberry - Photoscapes
Max Bianco and the BlueHearts - Troubadour, London, 29/3/2025
Garfunkel and Garfunkel Jr. - Interview
Maarten Schiethart - Vinyl Stories
Clive Langer - Interview
Sukie Smith - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Davey Woodward - Mumbo in the JumboNigel Stonier - Wolf Notes
Wings - Venus and Mars
Kate Daisy Grant and Nick Pynn - Songs For The Trees
Only Child - Holy Ghosts
Neil Campbell - The Turnaround
Philip Jeays - Victoria
Darkness - Dreams On Toast
Suzanne Vega - Flying With Angels
Charles Ellsworth - Cosmic Cannon Fodder
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart