DRUMMER Wayne ‘Unga’ Thompson (Notis) was on tour last year with Jimmy Cliff when he met Australian singer Nattali Rize. They recently recorded the single Rebel Love, which also features deejay Zuggu Dan.

Rebel Love is the first single from an album called Nattali Rize and Notis which is scheduled for release later this year.

Both will join American singer/songwriter Michael Franti and his band Spearhead on their upcoming One a Day tour.

The United States leg kicks off late this month and runs until August.

“I have had the pleasure of performing and touring with Michael Franti a number of times over the past 10 years, both in Australia and the US. However, it’s been a good five years since we’ve worked together, so I’m really looking forward to catching up with him,” said Rize.

Notis is also looking forward to the trek. “This marks a new chapter for us, not just as a production team but as performers. We always wanted to play the tracks we produce and what better way to do so than with Nattali Rize,” he told this column.

Franti made the Billboard pop chart in 2008 with the single, Say Hey (I Love You) with singer Cherine Anderson. It reached number 18 on the Hot 100 chart.

He also collaborated with Stephen Marley on the Bob Marley original Rebel Music (3 o’clock Roadblock), and Lady Saw on Shake It.

— KJ