Spearhead Albums (3)
'Everyone Deserves Music'
Release Date 1/1/2003
Tracks 12
Label Boo Boo Wax
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What The Critics Say
In a rap world set predominately on a limited range of topics to cover, politically and socially charged hip-hop is a breath of pure, fresh air. For the past decade, Spearhead and Michael Franti have been the antiseptic to a plaque-filled gold-toothed hip-hop mouth, expelling righteous truths and music with extremely thoughtful, meticulous details. Everyone Deserves Music continues with the tradition, but takes the sound of Spearhead into more of a disco-funk territory at times. This doesn't displace Franti's lyrics by any means, but gives him an extremely fresh perspective to stretch out and experiment with his delivery. Not so much a punch to the stomach like their previous releases, Franti and Spearhead almost made a deliberate attempt to stray from the typical hip-hop beats and go for something a bit more organic and acoustic than their previous efforts -- and the experiments more than pay off. It's honest, compelling, emotional, and soulful, and it's unfortunate that these values don't equate with much in the commercial hip-hop market anymore. In a perfect world, this would be a future classic played out of every car stereo, boombox, and apartment for generations to come. ~ Rob Theakston, All Music Guide
'Chocolate Supa Highway'
Release Date 3/17/1997
Tracks 15
Label Capitol
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What The Critics Say
What sets Chocolate Supa Highway immediately apart from the previous album Home is its sound -- boasting a murky, bass-heavy atmosphere clearly influenced by the rise of trip-hop, the album lends Michael Franti's politically-charged raps a cinematic distinction missing from his previous efforts. Spanning from R&B-textured urban grooves to jagged rap anthems, Chocolate Supa Highway is no less challenging or confrontational than its predecessor, but for the most time Franti's music bears an importance equal to his message. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Former Disposable Hero of Hiphoprisy Michael Franti takes his ideas even further with his debut record, covering a wide range of topics addressing the social conditions not only relevant to the African-American community, but to society in general. Immediate comparisons to other artists such as A Tribe Called Quest and Arrested Development are inevitable. They were all socially conscious and chose to have a message in their music, an angle decidedly different from the other two avenues of hip-hop of the time that focused on either gangster material or good-time, mindless commercial fodder. With a dark, brooding voice that could easily place him as the heir to Isaac Hayes or Barry White, Home greatly stressed consciousness and social thought over material value, but not at the expense of cheapening any other aspect of production. The whole vibe brought forth by employing a live band and backing singers easily paved the way for many nu-soul artists who continue to seek this path of influence. In the annals of hip-hop history, Home is an essential cornerstone to bringing socially conscious soul music and hip-hop close together. ~ Rob Theakston, All Music Guide
