365 – New Music Daily

Gil Scot-Heron’s 1971 album’s start took me off guard. I recognized this poem and message – the Revolution will not be televised. It will not be streamed live. After doing a bit more research, I was reminded that Gil Scott Heron’s poem is regarded as a critical moment in the foundation of Hip-Hop – maybe not as much as DJ Kool Herc or Grandmaster Flash – but certainly an inspirational basis. It makes sense – the song is essentially spoken word poetry put somewhat to the beat.

Needless to say, I was not expecting this from someone I knew mainly from the album’s most famous track – Home Is Where the Hatred Is. God damn, this shit is really fucking good. The songwriting on this album is fantastic, and it’s delivered through this groovy old-school soul/rap/r&b beats, by Scott-Heron and his commanding, but beautiful and elegant voice. This is a true masterpiece in 70’s soul and is up there with some of the best albums I’ve heard from this time. Amazing and really highly recommended.

Favorite songs: The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, Save the Children, Lady Day and John Coltrane, Home Is Where the Hatred Is, When You Are Who You Are, Pieces of a Man, The Needle’s Eye, Chains, Peace