Category:
Rock / World

Try if you like:
Ben Harper, Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprosy, Marvin Gaye

A new Michael Franti album is always reason for celebration. This man takes enough time between releases to both collect some quality songs and to get our appetite just right. All Rebel Rockers is, of course, no exception to the rule. It's really only been two years since the awesome Yell Fire! but regardless, this album is out to beat all expectations. Recording the album in Kingston with legendary dub producers Sly & Robbie good things could only possibly have resulted.

The album kicks it out with a lovely dub track track called "Rude Boys Back In Town", and it sounds fresher than anything Spearhead has ever crafted. "A Little Bit of Riddim" takes you back to some of Franti's signature hip hop reggae blend. "Life In The City" almost feels like a Rancid track, not quite as raw though but one of the best tracks of the 13. "Hey World (Remote Control Version)" is the first real political track to surface. It's got a definitive beat to it that is very danceable. It shows the Robbie connection is paramount. Even on the mellower soul style songs like "High Low" you can feel the influence that bass plays. It features the wonderful vocal talents of Marie Daulne from Zap Mama. But yet another highlight is to be had with the truthful "Nobody Right Nobody Wrong". Or the song he wrote for his son when he was heading off to college, "Have A Little Faith".

I was not expecting All Rebel Rockers to be on my year end list. I can pretty much guarantee that it will be. All fans of reggae, hip hop, soul and just good honest music needs to check in with this album.