Michael Franti & Spearhead Produce More Rebel Rockers

Michael Franti & Spearhead will release yet another album of political hip-hop, reggae and dub tunes when they drop their sixth album, All Rebel Rockers, on Sept. 9 through Anti- Records.

The 13-track disc is the follow-up to 2006’s Yell Fire! It was recorded in Kingston, Jamaica and produced by Sly & Robbie (Black Uhuru, Peter Tosh), who also helmed the boards for Yell Fire! All Rebel Rockers features guest appearances from Marie Daulne of Belgian Afro-pop group Zap Mama and Jamaican songstress Cherine Anderson.

”This album is our tuffest yet, taking things deeper into the reggae/rock/dancehall groove than we have ever gone before, but without losing the revolutionary lyrics, catchy melodies, or the unifying power of music we have always championed,” Franti writes on Michael Franti & Spearhead’s website.

Franti goes on to write that All Rebel Rockers will be the band’s “most visual album to date.” They’ve just shot videos for “A Little Bit Of Riddim” and “All I Want Is You” in Jamaica with director Ras Kassa (Beanie Man, Sean Paul).

”Shooting videos on the streets of Kingston was an incredible experience because so many people came out to not only watch, but dance and get in on the act,” Franti writes. “Music in Jamaica is a true communal experience!”

Videos for “Hey World” and “Remote Control” were recently shot in Indonesia with Carla Swanson, who edited his I Know I’m Not Alone documentary, and Dugan O’Neal.

Franti has been making music since the ‘80s, when he was a member of hardcore punk/hip-hop band The Beatnigs. He later founded industrial/hip-hop crossover act The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy. Franti formed Spearhead after that group split in 1994, and they released their Home debut that same year.

Michael Franti & Spearhead will play the Winnipeg Folk Festival on July 10 and the Regina Folk Festival on Aug. 10.

Here are the tracks on All Rebel Rockers:

”Rude Boys Back In Town”
”A Little Bit Of Riddim”
”Life In The City”
”Remote Control”
”All I Want Is You”
”Say Hey (I Love You)”
”I Got Love For You”
”Sound System”
”Hey World”
”The Future”
”High Low”
”Nobody Right Nobody Wrong”
”Have A Little Faith”