Round One by Jack Johnson

Round One was the debut release for the Murfreesboro, Tennessee quartet Jack Johnson in 1995. Led by singer/lyricist Kurtis McFarland (now known as Nadir Omowale), who handled production chores with Rob Feaster, Round One is an album of great depth, both musically and lyrically.

The band has the social insights of Fishbone packaged in an engaging brew of rock, pop, R&B, jazz, and hip-hop. Although it can be compared to Lenny Kravitz, much of Round One owes debt to the sonic assault of Soundgarden as well.

McFarland has a husky, warm voice that ranges from a growl on "Hit," which features some skull-rattling percussion from Simone White, to soulful on a well done, hip-hop inflected cover of Bill Withers' "Sunshine," to an enraged wail on the propulsive "Scream In Time." Jack Johnson also manages a pair of gorgeous, slower numbers. "Do It For Love" is a mid-tempo song of yearning with an immediately catchy chorus and the closing "Free" features a heartbreakingly vulnerable vocal by McFarland over a sparse instrumental bed.

An impressive, thought-provoking, literate and totally engaging debut. - Tom Demalon "All Music Guide"