The iconic songwriter, composer, poet, and activist Gil Scott-Heron was one of the most influential artists of the last century. With the help of multi-instrumentalist and long time music counterpart Brian Jackson, Gil Scott was able to create a unique and revolutionary sound that fused jazz, funk, and soulful grooves with politically driven poetry and vocals that helped produce timeless classics like “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised,” “Home is Where The Hatred Is,” “The Bottle,” and “Johannesburg.” His music spoke both to the political times and the music explorations of the seventies.

“You can go into Ginsberg and the Beat poets and Dylan, but Gil Scott-Heron is the manifestation of the modern word” — Chuck D

Even though he often rejected being labeled as “The GodFather of Rap,” preferring the self description of a “bluesologist,” Gil Scott strongly played a major role in helping lay the foundation for the artform and influencing generations of hip-hop artists like Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, KRS-One, Common, Talib Kweli, Kendrick Lamar, and so many others. On the day of his passing (May 27, 2011), Public Enemy’s Chuck D declared him as “the manifestation of the modern word.”

With a number of genre-bending recordings like Small Talk at 125th and Lenox (1970), Pieces of Man (1971), Winter in America (1974), The First Minute of a New Day (1975), From South Africa to South Carolina (1976), and others, Gil Scott-Heron not only made his mark on hip-hop and it’s evolution, but has influenced writers, poets, activists, and musicians across soul, jazz, funk, and just about everything in-between.

To help pay tribute to this iconic legend, TJ Gorton has created an hour-long mix featuring some of Gil Scott-Heron’s most essential tracks and rare archival interview excerpts.

Gil Scott-Heron “Rhythms of Revolution” Mix
Compiled by TJ Gorton

Tracklisting:
01. Gil Scott-Heron – “Intro/ Blue Collar” – 1982
02. Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson – “The Bottle” – 1974
03. Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson – “Lady Day and John Coltrane” – 1971
04. Gil Scott-Heron – “No Knock” – 1972
05. Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson – “Hello Sunday! Hello Road!” – 1977
06. Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson – “It’s Your World (Live)” – 1976
07. Gil Scott-Heron – “Whitey on the Moon” – 1970
08. Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson – “Under The Hammer” – 1977
09. Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson – “Johannesburg” – 1975
10. Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson – “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” – 1970
11. Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson – “Willing” – 1980
12. Gil Scott-Heron – “No Exit” – 1982
13. Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson – “Home is Where The Hatred Is (Live)” – 1976
14. Gil Scott-Heron – “Blue Collar” (Live) – 2008

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