Gil Scott-Heron just sounds pained. Me and the devil/ Walking side by side. Scratch that, he sounds painful and devious. His album coming up on XL, as produced by label head Richard Russell, should be a fairly bleak affair, a lot of dark corners and ancient histories meeting in a lightless room. It’s a happy marriage, though, Scott-Heron’s worn and raw voice with the sharp edges and dank tones of downtempo and dubstep. We know from an earlier peek at his acoustic cover of Smog’s “I’m New Here,” that the entire record is not murked in cloaked ambiance, but we’d bet, whatever tenor, it’s going to be pensive.
Download: Gil Scott-Heron, “Me and the Devil”
this is incredible…who’s involved production wise?
Richard Russell, head of XL Records, who will release the album, produced the record himself.
no Brian Jackson so i don’t like it
Very narrowminded is that drebrooklyn???
This is what the world needs
matthew i love your write ups!!!!
I was lucky enough to listen to the whole album : great great stuff, the deepest voice and some surprises : a Kanye West sample, 15 songs in 30 minutes, a Bobbie Bland cover, some trip hop production, a certain Damon Albarn on keys and even some acoustic guitar !
That’s so dope! Dirty, filthy production & that weathered voice… Can’t wait to hear the whole thing. Thanks so much for posting this!