The MAN returns…
One of my all time favorite artists from the 1970’s whose battled many demons over the years, but whose genius can’t be refuted, has returned with a new record; his first in 13 years. A recent press release on Pitchfork said the following:
– On February 9 in the U.S. (February 8 in the UK), XL will release I’m New Here, the new album from the pioneering spoken word artist Gil Scott-Heron. This will be Scott-Heron’s first album in 13 years. It includes a cover of Smog’s “I’m New Here”.
Just the other day, the first video, “Me and The Devil, ” premiered on Pitchfork as well. It took a few watches. Bizzare but powerful…especially the end. It will probably alienate older fans expecting more of the same. The fact that the label that has White Stripes, MIA, Radiohead, Vampire Weekend, and Beck is releasing his new record is good though. Now more young kids will discover this important artist and perhaps investigate him and his earlier work which today still sounds ground breaking. I can’t believe he is doing, of all things, a Smog cover. I need to hear this whole record.