Michael Franti and Spearhead + Trombone Shorty + One Eskimo

From the Beatnigs’ industrial strength to the Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy’s melding of Public Enemy and Noam Chomsky, Michael Franti has always led politically minded groups. He’s grown progressively more melodic with each guise and each record, but remains as sharp as ever. The high-octane New Orleans trumpeter, singer and, yes, trombonist Trombone Shorty has been a familiar presence on stages for most of his 24 years. Now, however, he readies for his close-up, with a role on the HBO show Treme and a new album, Backatown, on Verve. Fronted by London singer-songwriter Kristian Leontiou, One Eskimo makes cinematic, lush electronica—like a scruffier take on Massive Attack.