Musician, poet, sooth-sayer and all-round urban icon, Michael Franti is a counter culture legend. But he also has a wonderful ear for a hook. His last album All Rebel Rockers was his biggest hit to date with Spearhead, climbing to No. 37 on the US Billboard Charts but - released Stateside last September - The Sound Of Sunshine surpassed that peaking at No. 20.
Just released on this side of the Atlantic, the record sees the former Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy frontman deliver what may well be his poppiest album to date. It's a record that conjures not only the sunshine, but the smiles too. Splicing together reggae, dub and hip hop, leavened with a pethora of join-in choruses, the 11-track effort is perfect summertime music. The single 'Shake It' has a buzzing dance groove; and the title track 'The Sound Of Sunshine' is lovely ramshackle Caribbean vibe (check the gloriously simple video on YouTube). But my own preference is for the marvellous 'Hey Hey Hey'. With Summer coming, The Sound Of Sunshine should see Michael Franti expand his ever-growing army of followers in this part of the world too. Respect.