Stay Human (album) explained

Stay Human
Type:	studio
Artist:	Michael Franti & Spearhead
Cover:	Stay Human audio cover.jpg
Released:	May 15, 2001
Recorded:	The Sugar Shack, in San Francisco, California
Genre:	Hip hop
Language:	English
Label:	Boo Boo Wax / Six Degrees Records^[1]
Producer:	Michael Franti
Prev Title:	Live at the Baobab
Prev Year:	2000
Next Title:	Everyone Deserves Music
Next Year:	2003

Stay Human is the third studio release by Michael Franti & Spearhead.^[2] Many of the tracks on this album are fictional radio segments focusing on the case of "Sister Fatima" who is executed later in the album for murder. At the album's end, new evidence reveals Sister Fatima was innocent, and Governor Franklin Shane, who authorized the execution in order to boost his re-election campaign, commits suicide. In the radio segments, Governor Shane is played by Woody Harrelson.

Track listing

1. "Oh My God" (Franti, Ramon Lazo) (5:07)
2. "Radio Segment" (0:53)
3. "Stay Human (All the Freaky People)" (Franti, Young) (4:27)
4. "Radio Segment" (0:59)
5. "Rock the Nation" (Franti, Young) (4:26)
6. "Sometimes" (Franti, Shul) (4:05)
7. "Radio Segment" (1:26)
8. "Do Ya Love" (Franti, Young) (4:50)
9. "Radio Segment" (1:18)
10. "Soulshine" (Franti) (3:58)
11. "Every Single Soul" (Franti, Ramon Lazo, Quintana, Shul, Young) (5:44)
12. "Radio Segment" (1:02)
13. "Love'll Set Me Free" (Franti, Shul, Young) (3:57)
14. "Thank You" (Franti, Ramon Lazo, Shul, Young) (4:55)
15. "Radio Segment" (2:30)
16. "We Don't Mind" (Franti, Ramon Lazo) (4:49)
17. "Radio Segment" (0:50)
18. "Speaking of Tongues" (Franti) (4:45)
19. "Radio Segment" (1:36)
20. "Listener Supported" (Franti, Marie Daulne) (4:38)
21. "Radio Segment" (0:44)
22. "Skin on the Drum" (Franti) (6:19)

Tracks 2, 4, 7, 9, 17, 21 are performed by Brother Soulshine and The Nubian Poetess
Tracks 12, 15, 19 are performed by Brother Soulshine

Personnel

Spearhead

• Michael Franti: vocals, programming, guitars
• Carl Young: bass, keys, flute, sax
• Dave Shul: guitars
• Roberto Quintana: drums, percussion

Additional musicians

• Ramon Lazo: keyboards, Fender Rhodes
• Mary Harris: background vocals
• Zap Mama

vocals on "Listener Supported"

• RadioActive: vocals (track 5)
• Josh Klor: background vocals (track 13)
• Caitlin Cornwall: background vocals (track 13)
• Tanya Saw: vocals (track 20)
• Al Marshal: drums (tracks 1, 5, 7, 11, & 13)
• Troy Lampkins: DJ cuts (tracks 11 & 16)
• Jay Lane: drums (track 16)
• Victor Castro: Trombone
• Gordon Ramos: saxophone
• Bob Crawford: keyboards (track 10)

Notes and References

1. Web site: CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK; Death Penalty Ignites a Musical Coalition. Ann. Powers. June 27, 2001. NYTimes.com.
2. Book: Friskics-Warren, Bill. I'll Take You There: Pop Music and the Urge for Transcendence. September 1, 2006. A&C Black. 9780826419217. Google Books.