All Rebel Rockers

iTunes Review

While reggae has always been fundamental to Michael Franti’s musical identity, none of his albums have embraced Jamaican styles to the degree of All Rebel Rockers. Produced by Sly & Robbie and recorded almost entirely on location in Kingston, Franti’s sixth studio effort is more than an American pop album costumed in red, gold and green. All Rebel Rockers incorporates the sonic atmospheres and attitudes of dub and Dancehall. “Rude Boys Back In Town,” “A Little Bit of Riddim,” and “Soundsystem” have the bottom-heavy impact of deep dub, but underneath the surface are references to disco, early rap, and ska. The hybridization technique puts Franti in the company of the Clash, who came up with a similar sound in the early ‘80s. Meanwhile, “High Low,” “I Got Love For You,” and “All I Want Is You” exude the sexual chemistry of a late night club packed shoulder-to-shoulder. All experimentation aside, there is no reason why “Hey World (Remote Control Version)” and “Say Hey (I Love You)” shouldn’t be every bit as big as the Black Eyed Peas.