SINCE his days in the Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, Michael Franti has been one of the more refreshing pop stars, and his belief in the power of words to scratch the mundane surface of mass communication reached its zenith with the marvellous Television. Today he drags around a band of dreadlocked wonders who serve up a more traditional musical mix, but his concerns remain well served by his engaging talent.

A massive eight-piece, Spearhead's sound is driven by a high-calibre, silky smooth rhythm section and no fewer than four rappers.energetic female soul singer, and a familiar blend of soul and funk, but are eager and disciplined enough to make it work. Always on top are Franti's well won liberal credentials and his admirable attempt to take pleasure only in the communal parts of a concert: his merciless working of the crowd, his mix of the thoughtful with the vibrant and his integrate approach to music and politics. And in a country hell bent on zero tolerance, here is one humble hack hoping that his considered tolerance and perennial concern for prisoners hasn't fallen on deaf ears.