Santa's one contribution to my CD collection this year was a three album compilation of Gil Scott-Heron's early 1980s CDs, made after he'd parted company with long term collaborator Brian Jackson. I'm allowed to treat this as three separate albums, because I make the rules here.
I'm familiar with a couple of tracks here from the Glory compilation, one being opener The Train From Washington, a tale of black workers abandoned by the state, and it's lyrically powerful and musically enjoyable. Not Needed kicks off with a funky bass, into a song about the plight of the elderly in USA, but that bassline aside, it's not the strongest. There's a playful electrotwang on Waiting For The Axe To Fall, opening up a solid jazz-funk number, before the first half concludes with the smoky jazz song Combinations, relaxing without being inspiring.
We need something to wake us up in the second half, and A Legend In His Own Mind does just that, more infectious jazz rock about a boastful acquaintance. You Could Be My Brother takes the mood back down a notch, but it's a pleasant song, which perhaps drifts along for a little too long. However, The Klan increases the funk quotient alongside some cheesy sounding horn work, but it's a fine song, before the conclusion, Your Daddy Loves You, dedicated to his daughter, Gia Louise. it's a lovely song, if a bit slushy, but an uplifting and upbeat ending.
I've really enjoyed this album, a mixture of the new and the familiar. Despite not feeling everything completely works, I think it's a fine slice of 1980s soul/jazz/funk.
4* - A great album, which successfully marries the message with the music
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