Reviews (page 4 of 6)
4/5
Huh, the other Gil Scott-Heron stuff I've listened to has been almost entirely spoken word, so it was a surprise there was so much singing on here. There's a lot to enjoy - funk, soul, jazz, and a little of that spoken word I was hankering for... Fave track - "H2Ogate Blues" - that was great, and educational too!
Wow, this was great! Very political, quite old sounding yet still very relevant and beautiful. Reminds me of the great speakers and fighters for racial equality, just with a senseful musical touch added. Very good!
sehr gut und an manchen stellen witzig?
Das war sehr cool. Scott-Heron ist eh ne Legende aber das scheint eher ein Deep cut zu sein und hat mir sehr gut gefallen, vor allem diese crowd interaction und der h20 gate track
heftiges Album
Not available
This was a cool album. I've been meaning to listen to Gil Scott Heron for a long time. The music is cool, if not a bit subdued in order to give more focus to his lyrics. My favorite track was the last one, which was pretty funny while also making a lot of good points. I'd like to come back to this album when I've got more time to focus on what he's saying 4/5
Why is this not on Spotify or Apple Music
Genre: Soul 4/5 Gil Scott-Heron, a man better known as the godfather of rap, being one of the first artists to synthesize black musical soundscapes with spoken word, feauturing some of the more scathing political commentary that was around at the time, is an icon. While this album, a soul-jazz project with jazz keyboardist Brian Jackson, doesn't truly represent Scott-Heron's usual body of work, it serves as a good starting point for what should be an eventual dive into his archives. There are some really tremendous tracks here. The intro Peace Go with You, Brother is a beautiful piece of smooth soul with some really great singing, to elegant jazz blends on The Bottle, to the song you're more apt to see throughout his discography H2Ogate Blues, a blues jam that Gil Scott-Heron floats on top of with his own unique style of elegantly worded, socially conscious, anti-government rhymes. There should be more of this man in this book (this is it, for some reason), and I'm not quite sure why this was the selection the editors made of his, but it's still a damn good album.
Quite hard to find, this one - but worth it, his voice is wonderful as ever here, bluesy, jazzy, soulful - with some strong things to say about the politics of the day. Makes you sit up and listen.
Had to do some digging to find this one, but man did I dig it. I'm really into Heron's work, I feel like we had another album of his on here, but I'm just remembering that I recently bought one from him on vinyl. His spoken-word poetry style, which could at times be characterized as "rap," is really engaging. I love the tracks that are personal or political (most of them to be fair). I know "The Bottle" from being sampled by Knxwledge for "Suede," that's a great track. There's an excellent run of tracks on the back end of this, especially with H2OGate. Really love this, more Gil-Scott Heron would be welcome! Favorite tracks: Your Daddy Loves You, H2OGate Blues, Peace Go With You Brother, The Bottle, Song for Bobby Smith. Album art: Heavy on the framing, but the picture is actually really cool. Love that funky art style. 4.5/5
...unfortunately for me this wasn't available on Apple Music in the States - here's a YouTube playlist if others have the same issue; first 9 songs are the original album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSSNXW9EANA&list=PLDIxWXRU4UDpUpAB4vMTUroYuvodq118L - - - - Different. Excellent. I really enjoy this - very raw with not a ton of instrumentation; I enjoy Gil's voice quite a bit and it meshes perfectly with Brian Jackson's keyboard sound - perfect compliments to each other. The jazz-soul aspects of this definitely are "of the age" and one might say it sounds dated (and it definitely does) but in this case I like it. Really nice listening musically and lyrically interesting especially on multiple listens; many topics dealing with inner city issues and neglect. "H20Gate Blues" is sort of the outlier musically but still fun to listen to and important - a funny mostly-ad-libbed poem dealing with the then-timely Nixon/Agnew fkery of the country. This is one I'd like to actually find on vinyl - will definitely come back to this one. 8/10 4 stars.
CD muito bom!
The smooth Fender Rhodes electric organ all over this album is absolutely intoxicating. Beautiful warbled textures from start to finish executing deeply soulful cascading chord progressions. Of course Gil Scott-Heron's poetry over the top only adds to the alluring atmosphere here.
Had to download it - not on Spotify. Proper good stuff this - very funky, very groovy and politically on point all these years later
an interesting one
I realized after researching a bit that I was familiar with Gil Scott-Heron through The Revolution Will Not Be Televised. This is great stuff. Super jazzy and bluesy. Loved the piano.
This album is a socially conscious blend of soul and cool jazz that at times seems to predict the eventual rise of rap with Gil Scott-Heron’s spoken delivery. This album is somewhat conversational which lends a sense of intimacy that makes its message effective
3.5/5. Good. Not as good as Pieces of a Man, but certainly a solid album.
It was enjoyable. Good background music; I was listening to it whilst cleaning my room.
Scott-Heron's work seems to me sometimes as not so much music as a sonic art installation, which is maybe a distinction without difference? Interesting to listen too and definitely makes me think but I'm not exactly tapping my toes.
I liked it i think! very jazzy and soulful.
Not bad, not bad. Like: Back Home Did not expect there's a talk show there...
This album is quite enjoyable. The minimalist well played piano coupled with excellent vocals and relevant lyrics really works.
GSH has such a sweet voice, even when he’s simply speaking it’s mellifluous. I agree that Pieces of a man is a superior album and should have been on this list instead. I also prefer his last album, I’m not here to this. But his influence and artistry cannot be denied.
Timeless good blues/jazz/soul/funk music !
I’m writing this about a week after I listened, so forgive me if details are a bit sketchy… the album has a nice sound that is relaxed and jazzy, a modern comparison is probably Charm by Clairo. H2ogate Blues is a funny take on Watergate too. It was a bit samey though in places, so it possibly lacked more ideas than that relaxed jazzy sound. A good listen, but probably not more than 3*.
This is a solid jazzy soul/blues album, based around the classic piano, bass and drums trio, with occasional flute guest appearances. The lyrics deal with various aspects of mid-70s African-American life, which makes it interesting as a historical piece, although musically I liked but didn’t love it. ‘The Bottle’ was my favourite track, having the best beat, a fantastic bassline, and a cracking flute solo, plus great lyrics examining alcohol abuse, drug addiction, crime, etc. ‘Your Daddy Loves You’ was another highlight. ‘H2Ogate Blues’ was funny, but I’m not really a fan of spoken word tracks. Strong 3 stars.
Not to get political, but because this album is EXTREMELY political, I'll say that Talking Heads said it best when they said, same as it ever was.
Not sure that I will think oh let’s listen to that again but I liked it.
no lo escuché completo pero me estaba gustando mucho, hasta la mitad me doy un sólido 8/10
Good record. Dug it.
Smooth and groovey, with thoughtful lyrics and interesting vocals. Glad to have listened to it, even if it was a little TOO smooth for my sleepy morning drive.
Very nice album; well done, a pleasant listening experience. The H2Ogate blues song was particularly noteworthy.
I liked this album. Little bit of jazz piano, jazz synthesizer, jazz flute. A lot of variety in the soundscape. Crazy how so much of the lyrical content is still relevant today. Not a huge fan of long talking or lecture sections in any album, no matter how relevant.
2.5 - I'd rate it higher if doing so on just the message and lower if doing so on just my enjoyment of the music.
Ts Don't exist
This album felt serious but beautiful. I enjoyed the instrumentals and lyrics.
I, too, have the H20GATE Blues... Isn't it amazing how history rhymes?
cant listen to the album.. .-.
Easily the best jazz-related LP I've drawn so far. I'm not sure I can explain why - it's just 100% cooler than the usual noodling. Oozing confidence, without ever trying to impress. Contains a lot of the things I usually moan about with this sort of music, but I can't deny I enjoyed listening to this, already being a casual fan of some of Gil Scott-Heron's other work.
Ngl I thought he was a new singer
This was a good enough album without anything overly standing out for me. Faded into the background at times. Top Track - The Bottle
3 - good
A nice soul album. Nothing more, nothing less
6/10 - I couldnt hear the full album due to Spotify restrictions but the few songs i did hear were decent
Watergate Blues sounds like a description of today
This album is as much Brian Jackson as Gil Scott-Heron. Gil had a unique voice but is a bit off at times. The slower songs with Rhodes keyboard are more about the lyrics/ poetry than music and are not that great. The more uptempo and jazz songs with piano are good though.
New to me, pretty good working music
I listened to this YouTube playlist, not even sure if the tracklist is correct: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSSNXW9EANA&list=PLDIxWXRU4UDpUpAB4vMTUroYuvodq118L Felt like a weird open mic/musical/adlib thing. Was ok, 3*
Talented musicians. I loved the song The Bottle. A few other songs were enjoyable, but about half I did not care for.
Couldn't find it on Apple Music.
Scott-Heron isn't much of a singer, but I like the flutes on this a lot, actually. Like a lot of people in the reviews, this one's making me want to revisit Pieces of a Man, an album which I definitely didn't know how to appreciate the first time I heard it. H2Ogate Blues goes a bit more into the spoken-word poetry of that album, and I enjoy it here, so hopefully I'll better appreciate his work in general now.
fine ig
Went back and forth on this one. 3.4.
Review - a good album but not on streaming services which is a pain. Score - 6/10 Need to listen? YES
Okay, I get that the book editors never intended for anyone to actually listen to every album in the book, but now that people are doing so, it would be great if future editions gave some consideration for the accessibility on streaming platforms. This is especially frustrating because it is hard to see his influence on future music in this record. I ended up having to piece this together, one track at a time. In this case it was worth the effort, but it was annoying. I digress. On Winter in America we are treated with “the godfather of rap” who provides thought provoking lyrics delivered over some incredible piano music provided by Brian Jackson. Beautiful and soulful music with a message. This was a good album, but the most interesting part was listening and thinking about its place in music history.
A satisfying listen
Interesting Jazz slash proto rap, that sometimes feels more like a spoken word record with an improvising backing bad. The socially conscious lyrics are very interesting and surprisingly relevant today, but as a music album it doesn't do very much for me.
Some great songs.
This was pretty nice. Not the kind of thing I would normally go for, but a nice listen. some real toe-tappers particularly at the beginning.
Fun voice, interesting stories, cool music behind it. I just wish the musical interludes didn't make me feel like I was hanging out in the backrooms.
I find that this is an extremely rich album with a lot of different elements. Its got gospel, jazz, blues, and probably some others that I missed. Didn’t love it, didn’t hate it but I definitely enjoyed my time with it.
Es ist eine reduzierte Mischung aus Soul, Jazz und politischer Lyrik, die atmosphärisch stark ist, aber nicht immer dramaturgisch trägt. Die sozialkritischen Texte wirken zeitlos und Stücke wie „The Bottle“ stechen klar hervor, doch insgesamt bleibt das Album stellenweise zu zurückgenommen und verliert zwischendurch an Spannung. Trotzdem ein wichtiges Werk seiner Ära, nur nicht durchgehend fesselnd.
Sympa mais galère de trouver l'album
Good jazz, but his voice is a little too present for me!
Very pretty, but entirely too long.
Na žalost bla primorana poslušat na youtube. Prva polovica albuma se mi je mal blendala together, medtem k prvi komad na Side B, "The Bottle" mi je izstopal. (Velikrat tko vidiš, zakaj so določen komad izbral za single z albuma.) Konkretno izstopal je tud predzadnji komad, k je v bistvu spoken word, "H2Ogate Blues". Mogoč bi me preostali album bolj pritegnil, če bi blo vse spoken word? Ker ta, ta je bla pa res dobra.
Was difficult to find this album. Ended up using YouTube so it wasn’t ideal to listen to in the car. I feel like I need to spend more time with this one to truly appreciate it. It’s smooth and cool and jazzy, but then politically charged and spoken word. Not sure how to rate … not my personal taste, but also objectively interesting and the artist has a lot to say. I’m gonna give it a 3, although it probably warrants a 4. I also understand a lot of folks think this isn’t the most representative music of Sot-Heron’s catalog. The Revolution Will Not be Televised (which I do know and think highly of) might’ve been a better place to start.
Je connaissais que The Bottle et c’est finalement la meilleure, pour le reste c’est sympa mais sans plus (demanderait peut-être une écoute supplémentaire)
really nice
I love Gil Scott-Heron in theory. In THEORY.
un clásico del jazz de podría decir? malísimo que no esté en spotify
I am not a fan of Jazz at all so while the social issues presented are important I don't listen to this style of music much. 3 stars or C.
This album started off well and then it slowed down and dragged on for a bit. The instruments were well played.
It was lacking tempo
DIDNT LISTEN- not on Spotify
Interesting... I liked the spoken word moments better than the sung moments—and unfortunately, there was a lot more singing than speaking. "The Bottle" was a lot of fun, and "H2Ogate Blues" was another high point, highlighting Scott-Heron's political poetry. I can absolutely see the influence he had on hip hop. Some of the flute and bass work throughout this album is wonderful. But I found side one to be uninteresting at best, and irritating at worst. So, some good, some bad. Certainly deserving of its entry on the list. A solid 3 for me.
This was a cool listen. Very refreshing to hear music done this way. Also doesn’t hurt that it was made in what seems to be the best era for warm sounding music recordings, the ‘70s. Makes me wonder why music like this isn’t more popular or isn’t attempted more. Could be the slight abstraction of it? Or the guts it would take to have a deep set of words and to just go for it with the delivery? But who am I kidding? It’s just the unfortunate truth that most listeners of music are very conservative and at this point in time, have no attention span to appreciate deep abstractions. I only know Gil Scott-Heron from “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” so it’s great to hear something else and will definitely be looking out for some more material by him and his collaborator Brian Jackson.
It is a 3 because all I can find is a single, but I like Gil Scott-Heron
3.9
Winter in America is a record that earns its place in the canon without quite earning a permanent spot in the rotation. The musicianship throughout is genuinely strong — Brian Jackson’s flute and piano work give the album a warm, jazz-inflected intimacy that keeps it from feeling like a lecture, and the production’s lo-fi rawness adds authenticity rather than detracting from it. When the music and the message are fully integrated, the results are compelling. “The Bottle” is the clearest example of that integration working at full power. The groove is deep and unhurried, the social commentary is woven into the fabric of the song rather than delivered from a podium, and the whole thing moves with a confidence that makes Scott-Heron’s cultural importance feel lived-in rather than historical. It’s the track that most clearly shows what this collaboration was capable of. The sticking point is the spoken word format itself — not a flaw in Scott-Heron, who has a genuinely cool voice and important things to say, but a fundamental mismatch with how this particular listener engages with music. When the groove steps back to make room for the poetry, the attention drifts. The music is at its best as a conversation, not a backdrop. A respectful three — important, intimate, and occasionally brilliant, but ultimately a record to admire more than inhabit.
Gear: Grado Hemp Artwork: 👁️☀️🧧 Production: 😌👂🧈 Music: 🇺🇸✊🎷 Rating: ❄️❄️❄️/5
LOVE Gil, don’t get me wrong. And there were absolutely parts here that i also loved, but not enough unfortch😥
Pretty good album. A direct example of history repeating itself.
This is more of a poetry reading done to music, favoring more of the message in the poem to the music of the song. While this is usually a turn off for me personally, I feel like this strikes a political message which we need more of today. I probably won't be revisiting this anytime soon, we need more outcry and dissent over what is happening in the world today.
Started off a bit meh, once I got into it it was a surprise how much I enjoyed this
It's a soul-ful album and definitely a politically charged album. I love the keyboard sound. I also like that some of the track sound like the kind of jazz where I wouldn't expect to have vocals, but there are vocals and they fit.
It was alright. Don't remember too much to be honest.
Huge bump up for H20gate Blues
This is a hard one to rate for me. It’s not really my cup of tea, but it is very important.
Peace Go with You Brother (As-Salla-Alaikum) - 4/5 River of My Fathers - 2.5/5 A Very Precious Time - 3/5 Back Home - 3.5/5 The Bottle - 5/5 Song For Bobby Smith - 3/5 Your Daddy Loves You - 2.5/5 H2Ogate Blues - 2/5 Peace Go with You Brother (Wa-Alaikum-Salaam) - 3/5 Winter in America - 3/5 The Bottle / Guan Guanco - 3/5 Song for Bobby Smith - Alternate Take - 3/5
A pleasant listen and obviously a very influential album but it doesn’t really do it for me. Interesting to get a snapshot of the state of American politics in the 70s.
Kul fyr. Liker de drømmende sporene bedre enn de politiske.
Soulful, jazzy, political, Wouldn’t say I was blown away on first listen but I’ll definitely come back and listen to this again
Pretty nice.
Pretty solid, title track was good, probably won't return
boring
2/3. Cool album. Caught my ear the second I recognized that Peace Go With Your Brother is the song that’s sampled on Poe Man’s Dreams on Section 80. I think this album proves that I have a soft spot for Rhodes pianos and flutes, but I also thought the prototypical rap on H2O Gate Blues was very cool.
Not really for me but I can appreciate the work. I enjoyed the electric piano work and the overall jazz feel
who will survive in America?
Album #1,039 Had to listen to this one on YouTube. Starts off pretty slow, but good jazz piano/organ playing. Singing is hit and miss. Then gets a little more upbeat before finishing off with some beat poetry about Watergate.
I LISTENED.
Didn't think I would enjoy this, but was pretty good. I recognised "the bottle". All felt very genuine. 3
Real good stuff, it gave me a sense of time and place. The flute, hand drumming, spoken word poetry. Most of which I tend to detest, but this works! Very cool, prescient, sometimes easy to hear, sometimes challenging. 3.5
Really great music and passionate lyrics, not so great production or vocal delivery.
Gonna give it a 3 for neutral because it wasn't on Spotify to listen to and I can't be bothered to seek it elsewhere.
Solid but no showstoppers.
Not available in this region.
Jazz and proto voiceover elements. Good protest songs. Will listen again.
The blacker the berry
Not on Spotify
A lot feels kind of boring. There is absolutely some great stuff on here, but too many songs feel too similar to each other and often very slow and long. 3/5
I had to find this one in a YouTube playlist as it’s not on Spotify, so excuse me if I miss a track or get the order wrong! The first track, Peace go with you brother, is an interesting piece of music. I don’t dislike it, but it reminds me of sleep asmr. I’m sure if I searched “smooth jazz sleep sounds” I could get a similar effect. Rivers of my Fathers has some good piano, it’s definitely what I would class as elevator music though. Not in a bad way, I just feel as if the way to enjoy this is standing in an elevator or in line at a theme park. Very precious time is the same as the rest. I like this guys voice, but this album is making me so tired. It’s also like 10pm at this point, but am I a bad person for wanting a bit of urgency? Finally! Back home is much more like it. The flute, the more upbeat tempo, yay! The Bottle is actually really good! I enjoyed this track a lot. Oh yay. Back to the slow ones. Song for Bobby Smith. Yeah. I’ve already said all I need to say about these slower tracks. Going into Your Daddy Loves you. I usually hate parent to child songs, but this one had some musical intrigue. H2Ogate blues. I don’t really like the spoken word intros to tracks anyway. I just realized it’s 8 minutes long. I’m 2.5 minutes in and it’s just been spoken word politics. I’m not against a good political track, but I feel like I’m listening to a speech. Actually, I’ve been slightly unfair. The poetry in this track is really good. It also… relates well to current events. The title track: I enjoyed this a lot. No notes. I feel like I’m missing a track or two, but I took what the YouTube playlist gave me. Overall, I think I was slightly harsh on this album. It has some great lyrics and musicianship, it just ain’t for me at all. 3/5 ⭐️ from me, but it probably does deserve higher. 20/1089
interesting and experimental, but probably not going to be a repeat listen for me, 3 stars, pretty crazy how the last song feels like it could be written today since so many of the issues are super present still
An okay album, I liked Back Home the most.
It started out pretty good. I liked the funk, but the improv jazz and spoke word parts weren't very enjoyable. It's also dated, very much a product of its rime.
It’s a pleasant listen, but I can’t help but feel that this album is spinning its wheels at times. The song structures feel very unchanging. The record often becomes a formless ramble backed by some nice instrumentation. It was cool to recognize the first song being sampled on Section 80 by Kendrick. Also, Andre 3k absolutely embodies the spirit of Scott-Heron. Cool listen.
This was great, I just didn’t really connect with it. There’s obviously the strong racial messages in this and these kind of albums are very important for that. It’s good!
Vocals pretty good. Music good too. But overall not gripping me enough to be good to great.
Этого альбома не было, послушала другой. Приятный легкий джаз,но с политическими и социальными веяниями. 6/10
Fine
Ok- the political stuff was lost on me though.
A solid soul album. It's maybe not the best out there but it's good enough. A little slow and simple at times but otherwise great lyrics, great keys. Great bass lines. Not really a lot more to say about this one, I don't think it was exactly groundbreaking or worth listening to all the time but I liked it enough for today. 3.5/5 but rounding down because it doesn't make it to 4.
A historical snapshot which continues to tell the story of America today. Some fabulous jazz and blues to enjoy, sometimes the voice felt jarring against the music.
A bit of a slow starter, but has some great tracks and heavy lyrics. I love a bit of jazz flute, keys are beautiful, and H20gate is brilliant.
Why have I not heard of him before?
A very slow jazz with some little touches of funk and blues. My favourite songs here are 'Back Home', 'The Bottle' and 'H2ogate Blues', because the first two are very funky and the last one is a blues track with a heavy political message. The rest of the songs were very slow and moody jazz that didn't engage me at all. Quite of a shame that I feel so neutral about it. Researching about this man, I found out that he is a very famous person because of his political views. And I understand why, as I pointed out, I liked 'H2ogate Blues'. Knowing that, it makes me feel a bit disappointed about it, as it made me wish the album was more political focused. At least I think the worst parts are tolerable.
Great voice, nice easy listen
This one was a smooth, easy listen from start to finish. Nothing flashy, just a laid back vibe that worked well in the background. A Very Precious Time stood out for me and was the best track on the album. H2O Gate Blues was a nice bit of political commentary too. The rest of it was solid but didn’t really grab me. Honestly, I’m surprised it was this album that made the list and not The Revolution Will Not Be Televised. I like that one better, personally.
If Sly Stone sang Lou Rawls, it would sound like this.
Beautiful, but ultimately not my jam.
Sucks this album is not on apple music 🫤. Some sweet flute vibes.
Album wasn't available on spotify. I listened to some of his other Albums and enjoyed them
Favorite Track: The Bottle
ok
Pretty meh, but good musicianship
Cool stripped down sound, jazzy and thought provoking.
This was an interesting listen. Lots of cool grooves and melodies, but mostly not blowing my mind. The one stand-out track for me was H2O Gate, which was really stellar, in terms of writing, performance (so good) and just overall groove. Three stars overall.
Better than Coldplay
This album gave me the feeling that it was going to be spectacular at first... but as time went on, I don't know, it seems that from the middle of the album onwards it lost its "spice," something that was making it incredible, becoming just good. As if something sweet had become watered down. I'll give it 3 stars.
behöver nog egentligen lyssna igenom det igen... men bra?
Not really my thing- not a huge jazz fan, but the politics did feel fairly current.
Not bad.
Interesting album. Very contemplative, and of its time (the mid 70s… lots of electric piano) Good jazz playing but most of it was a little slow for my tastes. I did enjoy the uptempo numbers. H2OGate Blues was fun and clever. It also showed how little things have changed in a lot of respects.
Best Track - "H2OGate Blues"
When gil Scott heron died the number of white boy comments, ‘oh I understand black culture, I just don’t want to live near them, I’m sure they’re and I’m not racist, but…' drove me nuts. It’s not directed at you. That’s ok. Can you enjoy it? Yes sure. Is it important. Yes. But don’t tell me you get it. You don’t. You can’t. It is powerful. It is important. But it’s speaking to its people. If you’re white middle class, that ain’t you. Listen to it yes. Listen to its message. Yes. But you’re a peripheral listener. Still, 3 stars for what I can appreciate. 2 marks off a 5 star, deducted because of the white hipster factor and the album he did before this is better.
Winter In America is one of the few albums on this list that, for some reason, is not available on Spotify. In any case, the collaboration between Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson was clearly inspiring, even if I don't think the “minimalist production” was the best possible approach—in my opinion, the vocals in particular would have benefited from some post-production work in places. In any case, the result sounds almost like a live recording and, stylistically, lies somewhere between jazz and soul in my opinion. As for the songs, “The Bottle” is a very remarkable piece (and the only single from this album), while the rest is mostly easy listening. Not bad!
Hard to find the album on Spotify. Ended up listening to individual songs from other sources.
3.5
I think this is probably a great album to a lot of people, but it's just too far out of my wheelhouse to get any real enjoyment out of. 70s soul is just not my favorite to begin with, and the incorporation of jazz-funk and spoken word doesn't really help. "Peace Go With You Brother" was my favorite. 3 stars.
Musically this is quite lush - smooth, sumptuous, snazzy, silky dinner table jazz. Vocally it’s a lumpier and less lush mixture though. Gill I guess is best known for spoken word but he opts to sing mostly on here and he is no George Benson - his vocal chops are pretty average and leaden. Scrub the vocals out and you have an album I could have a very nice steak and glass of red wine to. There are still a couple of potent highlights though, namely The Bottle and H2Ogate Blues which is where the album really gets sizzling and is sort of a direct to video sequel of The Revolution Will Not Be Televised: Ronnie Scott’s edition.
Nice album, I really like his voice, and his spoken word
All good and heartfelt and meaningful and I was eavesdropping the entire time. The two tracks that piqued my interest were The Bottle and H20Gate Blues.
It was okay. The person listening to his album should have a working knowledge of The Watergate Scandal in order to understand “H2Ogate Blues”. “The Bottle” is really good.
I was previously familiar with Gil Scott-Heron but not Brian Jackson or this album. This is a sort of funk/jazz/blues mix with almost proto-rap on top. It's a very interesting sound, including sounds from many years both before and after its release. The social commentary is pointed albeit a bit dated now, well after the fact, in the case of H2Ogate Blues. This was a fun listen, and while I would listen again, I'm not sure I would seek it out specifically.
70s jazz, R&B and African. Influential on rap and hip hop. Very relaxing. Not loving the vocals.
It was alright, on the funky side of jazzy. Not my favourite of this genre but still quite listenable.
50 years later and still talking about oil shocks
I enjoyed this, jazzy, bluesy and a bit of soul. A relaxing listen. But nothing exceptional to push it to one of the higher ratings.
Good stuff
All too appropriate.
3/5 no album on apple only single
Mixed reviews here - appreciate what these chaps are doing and I love GSH’s voice and prose. There was more than one stinker on this album including ‘Very Precious Time’ which was a difficult listen.
Couldn't listen
Never heard this before today. It's pretty chilled out nice music with some great lyrics. Seems kind of political in the message. Nice beats with some other spacey synth work that is really nice. I wouldn't mind listening to this again.
Love “The Bottle,” the rest a little too laid back for my tastes.
Smooth jazz with activist vocals
I like his voice and the songwriting more than the music behind it. The drum kit repetitiveness of the second track almost broke me.
Luckily I spotted the YouTube link in the reviews - doing a search in YouTube didn’t work (I really dislike YouTube!). Standouts were H2O Gate Blues - especially now! , and The Bottle. I didn’t like his vibrato on some of the other sons. Overall a 3
great
Un autre album que je réécoute une fois de temps en temps en espérant l'apprécier mieux. Ça manque un peu de fougue pour moi.
I had to go to YouTube to hear this, and I'm glad I did. He was earnest and commanding, even though his singing wasn't great. The spoken word stuff was on point.
I absolutely loved the production and instrumental on this record. I had a very hard time connecting with Gil's singing. I just couldn't enjoy it. Despite disliking a large part of every song, I'm still going to think positively of this record and say that Gil's style just isn't for me. This album is incredible for hip-hop samples, I'm sure many people sampled it. 6/10
This was quite a surprise to me, because I fully expected to really like this, but for some reason it didn't quite vibe with me. Liked the spoken word H2Ogate Blues more than the rest. I liked elements of the others (including some nice bass), but the whole wasn't quite what I was expecting. Low three.
Groovy. Tik per youtube.
Jazzy Hendrix.
Pretty cool, cat
Nice mellow vibe with some pointed spoken words … wish this was on a streaming platform so I could listen consistently
Actually enjoyed what I could listen to - album isn't available on streaming.
5/6
I respect this album much more than I enjoyed this album. It wasn’t bad to listen to, but it meandered a lot. There were a couple of songs that held my interest but that’s about it.
Beautiful music
3.5
Cool
5/10 I'll concentrate on the bits that didn't grate terrible boy and we're politically charged so that I can give 3 stars. But some of it was god awful Jazz and the bloody stereo whizzing from side to side was making me feel sea sick.
Gil Scott-Heron está considerado uno de los padres del hip hop y el rap. Además, es uno de los mejores letristas americanos. Yo había escuchado su disco debut y me había encantado. Este, aún no estando al nivel, sigue siendo un buen disco de jazz mezclado con elementos de soul y blues. 3'5/5
Couldn’t listen to the whole album on Apple Music. Listened to the title track though. Good sound.
This album wasn't available on Qobuz, but I found it on YouTube. It's got a pretty laid-back feel to it. I personally prefer other Scott-Heron albums, but I feel they all have at least one killer track within each album - here the top track for me is The Bottle and also H2Ogate. Nevertheless, this album would probably do well on repeated plays.
Highlights: Back Home, The Bottle, H20gate Blues. In a nutshell: poetry with power. Gil Scott-Heron succeeded here where early Leonard Cohen failed: (a) variety and (b) purpose. Gil presents social commentary with a backing band, said band made up of organ, flute and simple percussion switch up the tempo on each song. As for Cohen, well, just don’t get me started on the Jaw harp again. This is an important recording, as is Scott-Heron's album “Pieces of a Man (featuring the hit track “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised”). The sentiment of H20 Gate Blues alone is as relevant now than what is was in 1974. Overall: 7/10
This album was hard to find, no link to it, but someone one youtube put together a version of it to listen to. Very pleasant album. Seems like the kind of album I would really enjoy after a few listens.
*beep* I'm sorry, but the government you have elected is inoperable.
The first track was nearly unbearable. The stereo Leslie effect of the Rhodes piano was irritating as hell when using earphones. Thankfully, the rest was much better. The music, while supporting the lyrics with a relaxed and held-back style, is really good. The lyrics are more poems than song texts, with H20Gate Blues at the top. It's uncanny how that era and the current situation in the USofA are so similar in so many ways. While it's not my kind of music, I respect this record's significance.
Political and even on the nose for this current decade
This album is quite creative in its genre bending nature. The lyrics are also quite interesting and provocative. I'm not a huge fan of the piano and flutes on this album as the piano and flutes sound out of place with the vocals.
This was very calming, but a bit boring at times. Anyway, great composition
Laid-back, smoky, and thoughtful. The sparse tracks make it feel more like a beat poetry night than an album sometimes, but there's still something magnetic in that. Spins: 1 No Spotify, No Playlist Additions.
Smooth easy listen, but ultimately washed over me more than grabbed me
The crooning and twinkling piano at the beginning was fine enough, but didn't do much for me. The spoken-word, slam-poetry style jams at the end, on the other hand, really hit for me.
Cool album. Enjoyed the lyrics and music. Standout songs: Peace go with you, brother The Bottle
Had never heard of this album, and although not something I’d seek out, I didn’t mind and enjoyed elements.
Un álbum de soul jazz en el que dos artistas muy distintos se complementan a la perfección. Por un lado, tenemos a Gil Scott-Heron, mayormente poeta de voz hablada. Por el otro, a Brian Jackson, pianista (y flautista) de jazz. El resultado es un sonido único hasta la fecha, al que Scott-Heron denominó bluesología (bluesology), “la ciencia de cómo se sienten las cosas”. Además de blues, jazz y soul, también hay elementos de música africana y voz hablada, lo cual, combinado con las letras africanistas y de corte social, hizo que este álbum fuera súper influyente en el nacimiento del hip-hop. No hay más que escuchar "H2O Gate Blues" para darse cuenta. Me ha gustado especialmente la diversidad de los temas, que van desde más animados y soul ("The Bottle") a temas más lentos y jazz ("Rivers of My Fathers"). Un álbum que definitivamente merece un puesto en esta lista y al que hay que poner en contexto y escuchar con calma.
This album wasn’t on Spotify so listened to Piece Of A Man instead. I enjoyed the album
3 stars for background jazz.
Its bluesy and vibey, very relevant even to today's world and time. Sometimes a little to spoken and not signing for my taste.
Some soulful 70's jazz singing about the struggle. The Watergate Blues was my favorite and still relevant.
I really like his voice and his vibe. Some of the songs are a little too sparse, and it leans more into talking than music at times. Overall, it's cool stuff though! The Bottle was my favorite song on here, and I like the soul and meaning in what he sings about.
I have mixed feelings. The opening track was almost unlistenable with that quivering keyboard. But there were plenty of other excellent tracks, and you can absolutely see GSH's work as one of the building blocks of rap. "H2Ogate Blues" was my favourite track, though its legacy perhaps isn't as powerful as intended
Good
Not a fan of the first song but some of the others sounds like they'd be played in a café. Unobtrusive but not ones I'd Shazam
Enjoyable album, nice jazz. Nothing stood out to me.
Whole lotta Jazz flute in this Best Song: Winter in America Rating: 5.5/10 (Fine) Stars: 3/5
Nice to hear Gil Scott-Herons vocals on jazz piano. Some nice Melodie’s and backing but not quite grabbed by it. Vocals can be a little wavy at times and not necessarily any stand out or wow songs, but pleasant enough. First album not on Spotify (link - https://archive.org/details/0316_gil_scott_heron_brian_jackson_winter_in_america_1974__mlib) ‘The Bottle’ maybe stand out track (can’t add to list)
Oke mi je ovaj album, ništa ono wow, ali nije ni loš. Znam većinu stvari, ali mislim da nisam u komadu slušala. Bit će neki prosjek, 3/5, 6/10
Hyvää jazz albumia mutta sitten aletaan pälätttämään ihan omiaan... jahas,,,, ei tommosta jaksa...
nice
Jazz
Suuuuuper cool jazz and blues, tackling big social issues in such a smooth and enthralling way. Truly genius work.
I like the grooves of GSH songs (the bottle) but he’s a poet turned musician, so I think he can sometimes fall short as well.
Solid protest album from one of the best / originals. Solid music. Great voice.
Instantly loved the intro Peace Go With You, Brother - so tranquil, sad and interestingly produced (listen in headphones). The rest was a bit more "your general jazzy sound" for me - pleasant, but unmemorable. Another gem is ballad Song for Bobby Smith. Album as a whole is about dubious politics and hard life of black americans
Couldn't find it on Spotify.
3.5? sometimes sounds uneven rather than varied, but grows in strength as it goes. jackson’s key/piano playing is great throughout, although i prefer the second half with the fuller band. hits its stride with “the bottle.” gil’s poetry also improves in the second half, both in his ability to surprise and the acquisition of a sense of humor. although i get that funny wasn’t necessarily what he wanted in an exploration of black life in america. his rhythmic timing isn’t exactly dead on, but i think that's part of his thing. replace a few names in h2ogate blues and dedicate it to jd vance rather than spiro agnew, and it’s perfect for 2025. even better that it’s live. lively, clever, sharp, true. the flute also pipes up around halfway, flits in and out, and is more than welcome to hang out. feels a bit heavy handed at times, but it’s good. it could grow into a 4 or higher.
Some r&b n jazz is a welcome sight. Found it pretty relaxing, albeit nothing stood out to me and stuck to my ribs musically. I admittedly need more listens to get his music and his message to sink in Pleasant in my single spin 3 with room to grow
I did not fully enjoy this. There were good moment but I think there is better Gil Scott Heron albums. The first that comes to mind is hi 2010 one.
Right off the bat I noticed that Kendrick sampled Peace As You Go Brother in Section 80. Love the dreamy instrumentals in that one. Back Home and The Bottle were other songs I enjoyed here. Pretty good jazz and background music while working. Giving this one a solid 3.
Wasn't paying complete attention to the political parts but was jamming out to most of it. Enjoyable stuff.
Jazz
Great jazz album (meaning a great entry in a genre I'm only lukewarm on). The end sort of drags after a very strong start.
7/10. This is a good album. Although, I found it somewhat forgettable.
Gil is a unique jazz presence. I enjoy some of his later work, the music def has a vibe from its time (mid '70s) . I could have done without the political soliloquy at the end. Nothing against his points or speaking his mind, but the arguments fall thin today (or do they?)
Wijs album. Wel wat experimenteel en niet zeer toegankelijk. Blijft een tijdloze stem en de teksten blijven, helaas, zeer actueel. 3.4
EZ listening
Good
This album came up the day after I had "To Pimp A Butterfly" by Kendrick Lamar, which has clear influences from Gil Scott-Heron. It's interesting to listen to, especially "H2Ogate Blues" in context of modern day America, where so many of the same issues are still present/have come back around.
spotify下架。yt上聽幾段是舒服的爵士。
Damn. This hit hard on a rainy morning. I can hear this reflected in Outkast, especially on Aquemini. It's there in Nate Dogg's singing, and definitely in some of the stuff put down by the Tribe and WuTang. I can hear some of the jazz influences in other artists like Jamiroquai too. The keyboards picked me up and then let me float down. The phasing/reverb was something else too. So much soul! I also liked the spoken word poetry. Finally this is an album from this list that consists of someone previously unknown to me that I am able to get into.
Can’t find this on Spotify or Apple Music. But due to influencing LCD, I’ll give it 3.
I really like the sound of the music in this however the sometimes aimless vocals are irritating.
I'm mostly neutral on this album, except for the really interesting spoken word piece ("H2Ogate Blues" - it's like a little time capsule).
(обязательное: не было на спотифае) вроде красивая музыка но голос такой я не люблю ну и реклама каждые сорок секунд тяжело)
This album isn't available on Youtube Music. I did listen to a few tracks of his other stuff, and it is very good jazz.
Wasn’t able to find. But enjoyed some tracks from other album
Annoying one as I had to listen on YouTube. This seems like it was important for race and all that. Music is fine the last track was like poetry reading but maybe early for of rapping. Again it’s fine.
This album gave R&B lounge. The songs had a good flow and were relaxing to listen to. Definitely lots to read between the lines within the lyrics. Favorite Lyrics from H2Ogate: "Mayor of Philadelphia, whose ignorance is surpassed only by those who voted for him" (sounds familiar)
interesting music with a lot of lyrical substance. that said, the beat poetry thing doesn't really work for me and the songs were too long to stay fresh over the entire duration
Generally pleasant listening and I enjoyed the commentary in Watergate Blues, but quite a snoozefest at times
Some solid songs here.
Pretty chill. I’m sure the lyrics were profound but I wasn’t paying bc much attention. Strange vibes for the gym
Decent album and you can certainly see some hip hop inspiration from this but not something I’d go back to anytime soon. 6.5/10
I enjoyed this and am glad I listened. I had heard of Gil's song "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised", but I had not listened. This is very good. But... it's not my thing. I like some R&B and some jazz, and this is a good combination, but I'm not the typical listener. From my viewpoint, I'd give it somewhere from a 6 to an 8 out of 10, depending on my mood. Converting to stars, and rounding down... 3 stars.
Interesting jazz album my wife and kids hated it said it was boring
Ok,
The subjects that this album deals with shows you how little American politics has changed in 50 years. Having said that having a interesting/deep subject matter dosent always make a great album, this had some high spots of real blues, but also a lot of lows which were just a bit dull...it's probably one of those "inspired so many other artists" albums but overall it's just a bit meh....it'll sling a 3 just about
There are albums that achieve classic status, transcending time and retaining a fresh sound even decades later, regardless of any graininess or lack of high quality production. However, Gil Scott-Heron's "Winter in America" is not one of those albums; it is firmly anchored in a specific time period marked by cultural and political turmoil. The album conveys what was then viewed as a provocative message advocating for black empowerment, envisioning a future where "the system" could be dismantled. Scott-Heron's voice is both gentle and rough, while the album itself varies in its arrangement—sometimes sparse and at other times sounding like a rough first draft. The emphasis appears to be more on the message, where parallels can be drawn to Bob Dylan's poetic roots. This is a heavy album, provoking deep thought amidst a backdrop of cultural unrest and frustration. The most poignant aspect of this album is some of what Gil Scott-Heron is raging against is still relevant today. (While the message is a 5, the construction of the album is a 3)
Wow
Miércoles hermosamente frío en San Juan. Toca en el día de hoy artistas y disco por completo desconocidos. Suena chill, con un cantante muy cálido y un piano que nos ayuda a viajar a través del disco. La segunda mitad sube un poco más y por momentos se pone más funky (The Bottle es el mejor ejemplo) y cierra con una intervención poética, el spoken word yankee. Buen disco.
It's a bit laid back jazzy to captivate my ears. Though perfectly nice groove there's also a bit too much jazz flute. Extra mark for The Bottle though.
H2O Gate Blues is good, but not something I want to listen to repeatedly. The rest of it's a bit too free-form/jazzy for me. Can see the talent, but it's not my bag, baby.
Not my thing hate Jazz normally but this was quite liked this it was chilled
I had to listen on YouTube. But it’s a very nice album, which I enjoyed quite a bit
I am pretty sure, without researching it, that I will be a minority voter here. I did not like this that much. It felt contrived and I hate that. I don't want to be preached to through my music and I don't want it to feel like it was produced for the effect of "being something special." I hate when albums seem to try to make something sentimental on purpose and I never shook that feeling here. Aside from that it is not particularly special in jazz or blues or spoken word... A truly great album can't be forced. It happens naturally, often to the surprise of the musicians. This one felt forced, like it was supposed to be a blockbuster. But I didn't buy into it. Again, the three star rating is tough. I won't kill it with a two but it is no more than a two and a half.
Political posturing from a more prosaic time. It's not a bad album, it just feels dated, and unfortunately, the message has become diluted.
Enjoyable listen! GS-H and Brian Jackson really compliement each other, jazzified! Great blend!
++: Rivers of My Fathers, A Very Precious Time, Back Home, The Bottle, Your Daddy Loves You, H2Ogate Blues +: Peace Go with You, Brother (As-Salaam-Alaikum), Peace Go with You Brother (Wa-Alaikum-Salaam) 7,7/10
Loved the message, didn't quite enjoy the music though.
Interesting
themes of social consciousness, family, addiction, politics. most of this album was just ok, but to me the best songs on the album were “the bottle” (that bass line slaps so hard) and watergate blues… and those sound nothing like the rest of the album.
Good but really didn’t stand out
Sadly not on Apple Music so had to listen to a 40 min video on YouTube but it was worth it, good album
Fairly classic 70's spoken jazz.
Not available on Spotify but I've heard this before.
Not available on Spotify, but found a link from another review (thanks!). Nice mellow jazz blues fusion, good vocals. Not sure I really clicked with the political message, perhaps it’s still a relevant message? Need to be in the right mood for this. That said I did enjoy H20 Gate Blues at least.
Albums that aren’t on Spotify can be so difficult to access. It took me nearly six months to return to this one, track down the full album on YouTube, and resume my 1001 project. This experience reminded me how crucial platform accessibility is for music discovery and appreciation. Listening to the album as one continuous video helped me focus on its cohesiveness, but it also made it harder to identify individual tracks since I couldn’t add them to my “liked” songs. Outside of that, I really enjoyed Gil’s voice throughout; the smooth, expressive quality carried much of the listening experience. I did find myself losing interest toward the end tho, as the extended narration began to drag a bit.
Unavailable on Apple Music
This is a different kind of record. I like it.
I really liked the first (and last) track. Serious headphone jam with the vibrato emulating channel panning on the keys. I really enjoy this musically, especially the more upbeat jams. But too often it slows down, and there I find the vocals a little over the top. The blues tune goes hard though, loved that track.
not really my thing i'm sorry.
Hh
Feel good tones, but there's just too much lyrics for me to really catch.
(Denne er ikke på Spotify, men finnes på youtube). Røykfylt-bule politisk pratejazz som får lytteren til å føle seg smart.
It’s unique but too slow moving for me I get it’s inclusion 100% but I can’t say I love it 3/5
it was nice background music, but not something I am going to remember or want to listen to again
I like his voice, but I don't really like this type of music. Although, the album was pretty upbeat and fun. Not terrible
Winter In America is a nice chill yet thought-provoking listen, incredibly smooth vocals from GSH, the piano flits between stuff I like and stuff that puts me off, and that's really the biggest weakness of an otherwise fine album. The Bottle was a welcome bump in tempo and energy. A good Sunday morning 3.
Did Gil Scott-Heron have the coolest speaking voice ever? Definitely up there. This was an interesting listen, to be honest I'd probably not be that unhappy hearing him read the Yellow Pages, but there's some decent stuff in there. The music is smooth, pretty easy listening, but the lyrics and the clarity of the vocals pack a bit of a punch. It's not as good as Pieces of a Man (which I don't think is on this list?), but it's a high 3/5.
-well this was a lovely listen for a cold November night. Also this is officially the first album I’ve gotten on here that I couldn’t find on Spotify -maybe not the most thrilling work I’ve ever listened to but it had a lot of nice and cool moments. The spoken word America diss track was a unique touch -Favorites are Peace Go With You, Brother, and Rivers Of My Fathers
Halfway through track 1, I decided that I would not like this album, I thought this is just Jazz and not for me like many other jazz albums on this challenge. I was wrong. as the album went on it grew and I grew to enjoy it. This album has far more to it than just jazz. it is funky and groovy with some great instrumentals and meaningful lyrics and songs. In summary the album is not one that I would run to put on again, but I enjoyed it none the less. Favourite song: Least favourite: Album artwork: Good cover
There is some great stuff here and some things that just kind of meandered along. Nice album with something for a variety of tastes.
Album Review: Winter in America by Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson Winter in America, released in 1974, is one of Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson’s most essential and moving works, blending socially charged poetry with soulful, jazz-inspired sounds. This album stands out in Scott-Heron’s discography for its powerful lyrics and atmospheric instrumentals, which capture the mood of a country in turmoil. Strengths: One of the album’s greatest strengths lies in its bold social commentary. Scott-Heron’s lyrics address political disillusionment, racism, and urban decay, offering listeners an honest and sometimes bleak look at life in America. Songs like “The Bottle,” with its infectious rhythm and searing critique of addiction and poverty, became an underground hit and an anthem of protest for many listeners. Meanwhile, tracks like “Peace Go With You, Brother” and “Your Daddy Loves You” show a more introspective, compassionate side, balancing the album with warmth and hope. The collaboration between Scott-Heron and Jackson is seamless, and the album’s production values reflect their shared vision. Jackson’s soulful flute and piano complement Scott-Heron’s rich, resonant voice, creating a hauntingly beautiful soundscape that underscores the themes of social hardship and resilience. The fusion of jazz, blues, and spoken word makes this album unique and immersive, drawing listeners into a world that feels simultaneously timeless and urgent. Limitations: However, Winter in America might not appeal to everyone. Its emphasis on social issues and the sometimes dark, introspective nature of the lyrics might feel heavy for listeners seeking lighter themes. Additionally, some might find the production slightly dated, as it carries the lo-fi quality characteristic of 1970s independent records. Final Verdict: Winter in America is a landmark album that encapsulates Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson’s musical and social legacy. It’s a must-listen for fans of socially conscious music and those interested in the roots of hip-hop, as Scott-Heron’s work laid the foundation for later generations of politically-minded artists. The album remains relevant today, resonating with ongoing struggles and triumphs in society. Winter in America is not just a listening experience but a statement, asking listeners to reflect on the state of the world while celebrating resilience, community, and hope. Today I’ve been playing with the new Apple AI intelligence whilst listening to this album. Can you tell? 3/5 14/11/24
Totally new to me, good jazzy/funky sound
Kinda messy. The opening track was great, but the second half goes completely off the rails with some really, really long spoken word sections that I, a European, have literally no connection to. Uh huh, J. Edgar Hoover, Patrick Gray, Frank Rizzo. Who are three people who have never been in my kitchen. Watergate.
Overall really liked this. Got a little slow at some parts, but great album for this list
Not available on Spotify now
Enjoyed some of the more melodic stuff, but the spoken world wasn’t my favorite.
first three songs felt very strong, then it continued into simply good
Good instrumentals, not a big fan of the singer unfortunately
This has a nice vibe and it's way more musical than what I had heard from Gil prior to that, but I can't say that it's something that really interest me.
Smooth jazz-funk soul album, but it feels more like background music rather than a groundbreaking album.