Everyone Deserves Music
As usual, Michael Franti and Spearhead resist any kind of pigeonholing. Though it could be loosely classified as a hip-hop album,Everyone Deserves Musicis, more accurately, a well-crafted and eclectic collection of political protest songs and power ballads. Franti and crew confidently build upon a vast array of musical styles, ranging from the electro-Caribbean funk that bubbles through "Pray for Grace" to the smooth, classic-rock styling of "Love Why Did You Go Away." "We Don't Stop," featuring Gift Of Gab's adept rhymes, recalls theClash's instrumental party track, "The Magnificent Dance." R&B; singerLedisiadds soul to the Sly & Robbie-produced "Bomb the World (Armageddon Version)." The disc also contains a 23-minute mini-documentary, which highlights the band's creative process. Spearhead is a band unafraid to bring positivity to light and listeners should appreciate the message. To quote Franti himself, "Power to the peaceful."--Rebecca Levine