For a short time, Michael Franti was half of the rap group Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy. Then he formed a new band called Spearhead. His latest CD Stay Human is released under the name Michael Franti & Spearhead, but with that he only indicates what we already knew: he is the only and undisputed leader of the band. The rapper of yesteryear now makes hip-hop with funk and (70s) soul influences.
It is wonderful to dance to that music, but his political lyrics also give the listener enough to think about. Stay Human is a concept album on which we listen to the imaginary radio station Stay Human Radio. In between the songs, 'presenter' Franti gives the floor to listeners who give their opinion about the death penalty (this is of course still a hot item in America's home country). Stay Human has therefore become a great album in which we can discover multiple layers. In addition, it is a nice foretaste of the undoubtedly swinging performance that the band will give at Pinkpop 2001. (MvP)more