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- Summary: San Francisco's Michael Franti (formerly of the Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy) and Spearhead mix rap, soul, R&B, funk, jazz, and trip-hop with intelligent and opinionated lyrics on these 22 tracks.
- Record Label: Six Degrees
- Genre(s): Alternative, Rap, R&B
- More Details and Credits »
Score distribution:
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Positive: 6 out of 9
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Mixed: 3 out of 9
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Negative: 0 out of 9
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While his lyrics are both timely and powerful, the album's power lies as much in the superbly crafted grooves and songs, which are the best Franti has delivered yet.
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Taking the death penalty as the central theme for an album -the sleevenotes feature anti-death penalty quotes from the like of Bono, Chuck D and Nirvana's Krist Novoselic- may not sound like much of a party, but there's a human warmth and gentle humour in Franti's delivery, hitched to hugely danceable and uplifting music.
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There's a lot of great music here to enjoy. The political tone on the album is more problematic, though.
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SpinFrom the beginning, Franti has favored a retro, flow-through groove, and here hsi funk adds a decidedly disco flavor. [Jul 2001, p.135]
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Not hip-hop in its most conventional form then, but a mutant version drenched in, and suffused with, the same rebellious spirit. An organic meta-hip-hop, if you will, that hearkens back to Gill Scott Heron's innovation and looks forward as well.
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But there's genuine excitement in hearing him leap nimbly between the tart funk of "Rock the Nation" and the loose organic soul of "Speaking of Tongues" as he rails against the inequities of death row, mingling the earthy and the high-minded into something special.
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BlenderUnfortunately, the ticked-off one breaks up the most consistently grooving album of his career with too many well-meaning but intrusive conspiracy-minded skits. [Jun/Jul 2001, p.110]
Score distribution:
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Positive: 6 out of 6
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Mixed: 0 out of 6
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Negative: 0 out of 6
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polaxAug 25, 2003
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DennisN.Jul 18, 2001Music and lyrics that touch the soul. Rare and beautiful.
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AlexanderC.Sep 13, 2003
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KyleEJun 9, 2004Any CD with a song like "Oh my God" can't be any less than a 8. This CD is packed with great beats, smooth lyrics, and a powerful message.
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CarolineAJul 23, 2005This is the best album my soul has found
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JoeSNov 19, 2005
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