REVIEW: Gil Scott-Heron

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Written by Steve Smart

The first thing to say is that Gil Scott-Heron is back. I'm New Here is a master stroke in a career and life that have been plagued by many problems. Thankful Gil has managed to stay out of jail long enough to make a great record (here's hoping he stays free for good), and his long awaited book is now slated for a 2011 release. What bullshit is it anyway, sending a man to jail for having a drug dependence?

Gil Scott-Heron unknowingly created hip hop all those years ago. Back then it wasn't called that, it was poetry set to music, just that no one had ever done it the way he did. And the man is a poet still, incendiary still. Stepping into 2010 he as created an album that is entirely contemporary in its production, without making an obvious effort to impress the youth market. I'm New Here sees the man merging poetry, blues, hip hop and folk, with humour and bold lyrical strokes. Humorous without being crass, bold without chest beating.

In addition to the music based tracks, you get pearls of wisdom between tracks, short spoken pieces (15-20 seconds each) listed as 'interludes'. I always love these kind of bits, just the sound of someone talking between tracks makes me happy. It's an extra connection to the artist.

If you like Tom Waits, Muddy Waters, James Baldwin, Charles Bukowski, Public Enemy . . . Oh hell, if you like music and poetry go and buy this immediately. I'm not fucking around I'm New Here is a masterpiece for the new decade. It's personal and political at the same time, no separation.

This is the sound of a man who has lived with himself through the long days, long nights and has much to tell you. A man who truly understands the meaning of trouble and desire. Since I got the album I have had little desire to listen to anything else. Repeat, play, repeat, I pick up on different things each time.

5/5 Stars (stunning)

Listen to : All of it.

I'm New Here is out now through XL/Intertia Recordings