Michael Franti not only deftly mixes hip-hop with jazz, funk, R&B, reggae and rock, but he also easily combines social commentary with music that makes you want to shake it. He’s been at it for a while—first with the Beatnigs and then the Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy. But since the release of 1994’s Home, led by “Hole in the Bucket,” Michael Franti & Spearhead (above, playing “The Sound of Sunshine” on The Ellen DeGeneres Show) have been making thoughtful, provocative music that inspires you to think and to dance. Their most recent album, The Sound of Sunshine (which was inspired by Franti’s near-death experience last summer) came out about a month ago, and the band plays Terminal 5 on Thursday and The Wellmont Theatre on Friday.
Technically, summer doesn’t start for almost three more weeks, but we’re already past Memorial Day, which means the summer season has begun. And there’s no better way to while away your warm-weather time than on the beach. You’re already pretty close to a beach—actually The Beach at Governors Island. Starting tonight, with Michael Franti & Spearhead, Trombone Shorty and One eskimO, get ready to spend those summer nights outside, your feet in the sand, taking in great music with lower Manhattan as the backdrop. We’ll be bringing you a full roster of fantastic live music (plenty of free shows too, starting with Yeasayer, Keepaway and Delicate Steve this Saturday) all summer long. For ferry information and answers to other questions, go here.
Michael Franti not only deftly mixes hip-hop with jazz, funk, R&B, reggae and rock, but he also easily combines social commentary with music that makes you want to shake it. He’s been at it for a while—first with the Beatnigs and then the Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy. But since the release of 1994’s Home, led by “Hole in the Bucket,” Michael Franti & Spearhead have been making thoughtful, provocative music that inspires you to think and to dance. Their most recent album, All Rebel Rockers, came out last year. The single “Say Hey (I Love You)” has earned the band considerable attention and significant airplay. Check out the video, above, of Michael Franti & Spearhead performing it earlier this month, and then go see them play Terminal 5—with Venezuelan disco-funk outfit Los Amigos Invisibles opening—next Tuesday.
