Artist: Michael Franti and Spearhead
Album Title: Everyone Deserves Music
Label: Liberation
Bones:
Summary: Franti and Co. telling the real story
Reviewed By: Stuart 'Record Strore Guy' McPhee

The music of the streets has been kept quiet of late. Despite how many people such as Ja-Rule may think they are keeping it real, Bling Bling isn't what the people sitting on the stoops of the cities have on their mind.

Therefore we must be thankful for the creative roll that Michael Franti and Spearhead are currently (and hopefully will forever be) on. The proper follow up to the critically acclaimed 'Stay Human' album, 'Everyone Deserves Music' is a near flawless set of songs from the streets and from the heart. Following in the tradition of Marvin Gaye and Bob Marley, Franti tells it how he sees it, honestly and compassionately.

All to the backdrop of some funky beats as well. Spearhead turn in some great disco grooves on a lot of the album's tracks, in particular the two openers, 'What I Be' and the floor shaking 'We Don't Stop'. Things are stripped back somewhat for the title track, with some sweet piano playing pushing Franti's message that music is for everyone: "So I pray for them, and I'll play for them".

Reggae veteran's Sly & Robbie lend their talents to a few tracks including the very "Marleyesque" 'Pray For Grace'. You can also hear shades of No Doubt's 'Hey Baby', also produced by Messrs Dunbar & Shakespeare. Also guesting is adopted Australian John Butler on 'Feelin' Free', pitching in some nice guitar and sublime backing vocals.

A few tracks that popped up on Franti's acoustic album earlier this year (Songs From The Front Porch) get a second run in full band mode. The original versions of 'Yes I Will' and 'Love Invincible' lose nothing in the transition making them feel more than just album filler. Finally the album's centrepiece 'Bomb the World' comes in two very different versions, both telling us the simple truth that: "You can bomb the world to pieces, but you can't bomb it into peace."

The time is now ripe for Franti and Spearhead to step up to the big time and spread their message of peace and hope to the masses. With albums like this they won't have a problem at all.