Classic Albums - Gil Scott Heron: Pieces of a Man (2021)

An exploration of Gil Scott Heron's 1971 debut and most critically-acclaimed album, featuring hip-hop precursor The Revolution Will Not Be Televised. The album skilfully and consistently blends musical excellence with powerful message in its wonderful combinations of spoken words poetry, soul and jazz. With this album Scott-Heron moved from being a powerful spoken-word artist to a figure of vast musical and cultural significance.
The album features many of Gil's most important early songs including "Home Is Where The Hatred Is," "Lady Day and John Coltrane," and "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised." Backed by some of New York's finest session musicians including Bernard Purdie, Hubert Laws, and Ron Carter, it is one of the great albums of black American music.
Now after Fleetwood Mac, Paul Simon, and Elvis Presley, cult artist Gil Scott-Heron also receives the "Classic Albums" treatment. The masterpiece in question: 1971's "Pieces of a Man," composed of socially critical lyrics and soulful jazz beats—in other words hip-hop poetry. Director Shurwin Beckford: "Musically, Gil did something brilliant and innovative. Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, Nas, Anderson .Paak: the biggest rappers didn't sample him for nothing." With contributions from Brian Jackson, Chuck D and Gregory Porter amongst others.