Donavon Frankenreiter

Personnel: Donavon Frankenreiter (vocals, guitar); Jack Johnson (vocals, guitar, ukulele, bass guitar); G. Love (vocals, guitar, harmonica); Rob Machado (guitar); Kool G. Murder (keyboards); Matt Grundy (bass guitar); Dean Butterworth (drums, background vocals); David Leach (percussion).
Producers: Jack Johnson; Mario Caldato, Jr.
Recording information: The Mangotree, Hawaii.
Though Donavon Frankenreiter shares the same mellow surfer vibes as his labelmate/producer/surfing buddy Jack Johnson, the multi-syllabically named singer foregoes woozy jam-band tropes in favor of a sound reminiscent of dreamy, late-1960s soul in the Marvin Gaye/Stevie Wonder/Chi-Lites vein. Frankenreiter is possessed of a truly resonant, old-school R&B voice that is reinforced by the album's wonderfully warm, spare production. The result sounds more down-South than South Pacific. The spirited, retro-without-sounding-dated instrumental performances come courtesy of several members of Ben Harper's band, with guest appearances from Johnson and similarly groovy blues-rapper G. Love. A breezy, inviting mix of older sounds and new attitude, DONOVAN FRANKENREITER mixes Memphis, Chicago, and Detroit soul influences with a California beach-bonfire vibe.