0061. Gil Scott-Heron / Brian Jackson
Winter In America
Poet and activist Gil Scott-Heron once again teams up with musician Brian Jackson to create a soulful fusion-album.
Off the top I got to say I'm always a bit confused when I hear Scott-Heron singing (which he does for the most part of the album), cause I'm always expecting the spoken word-version of him. But it's not until H²Ogate Blues (the second to last track) that those poetry styles are shown, but then it's with a vengeance. The scathing lyrics delivers (maybe not equal) measures of his mind regarding the culprits of the the number one referenced conspiracy (which reached its conclusion during just the year this album was recorded and released) and also America in general.
As for the rest of the album it's very well balanced: Wether it's the alcoholism depicted in The Bottle or the family matters in Your Daddy Loves You it's mellow soul (actually uncannily upbeat in The Bottle with its' giddy flute) which makes for a nice listen, almost too nice actually, since I at times lose track of the lyrical content and just hum along. But my ADD aside this is something of a caliber you don't hear every day, so take the chance if you can.
