Gil Scott-Heron: Spirits (Colored Vinyl) Vinyl 2LP

I have no idea how many times Ive been asked what I call my music. Or how many jokes I have thought up to substitute for a serious answer: I call it collect, I might say. Spirits was Gil Scott-Herons only album released in the 1990s, and his first new album in more than a decade, succeeded only by the contemporary classic Im New Here released 16 years later. Anyone entranced by the modern production of that one should really dig into this, though, and find that he had already covered a lot of the same ground with considerably less pretense. Gil plays it close to the chest with only a handful of new originals, most of which find him delivering characteristically sobering monologues over fine-tuned trip hop and downtempo beats, circling back on his classic output while simultaneously recognizing the modern sounds that wouldnt be possible without it. A new 20+ minute live version of Gils own Home Is Where The Hatred Is encompasses the entire C side, with new arrangement and several revelatory new verses. And then theres the title track; his inventive tribute to John Coltrane is 8 sublime minutes of immaculate jazz undertowed by rubbery synth bass and Gils buttery vocals; its GSH at perhaps his jazziest. Also check out Message To The Messengers, Ladys Song, Dont Give Up or the Ali Shaheed-produced Work For Peace. The original 1994 vinyl pressing of the album sadly omitted Ladys Song and Work For Peace, squeezing the remaining tracks onto a single LP. The full tracklisting is now available onwax for the first time ever, spread out onto two LPs pressed on red colored vinyl to celebrate the albums 25th anniversary. Includes fold-out insert with full album lyrics and liner notes by Gil himself – R.I.P. Recommended.

• red colored double vinyl pressing
• 25th anniversary edition
• includes foldout insert w/ lyrics + liner notes
• limited edition
• music label:TVT 2019

reviewed byhim downstairs 07/2019