Gil Scott-Heron: I’m New Here – 10th Anniversary Expanded Edition (Colored Vinyl) Vinyl 2LP Gil Scott-Heron

10th anniversary expanded edition! To celebrate Gil Scott-Heron’s final album turning double digits, XL are re-releasing the rare deluxe 2LP edition for the first time in a decade. Includes all the tracks from the original bonus disc (hauntingly beautiful plus previously unreleased tune “King Henry IV” and a cover of Richie Havens’ “Handsome Johnny.” here’s the OG Lab review from 2010: Gil-Scott Heron is a legend. You might know of him from his revolutionary street poetry of the 70’s, his influential spoken word albums, or maybe just heard about the hardships of his life and times in New York City. Anyway you look at it, his words have affected the lives of many, and here he is in the new decade of the new millennium, reaching out to a whole new generation of people with a brand new album. Plenty of artists go to retirement and comeback, but Gil-Scott Heron has really impressed with I’m New Here. His scuffed and often tired voice tells of the hardships he has dealt with over the many years in a soulful bluesy manner – sounding so experienced, yet fresh over the minimalist modern beats and sound-scapes. Can’t really pick and choose tracks here – this is the type of album you have to enjoy as a whole, but if you want a couple standalone highlights check out “New York Is Killing Me,” “I’ll Take Care Of You,” or “Me And The Devil.” Powerful stuff. Recommended.

• 10th anniversary deluxe expanded edition
• pink & green colored double vinyl pressing
• includes outtakes + bonus tracks on 2nd LP
• limited edition
• tracklist: 1. On Coming from a Broken Home (Pt. 1) 2. Me and the Devil 3. I’m New Here 4. Your Soul and Mine 5. Parents (Interlude) 6. I’ll Take Care of You 7. Being Blessed (Interlude) 8. Where Did the Night Go 9. I Was Guided (Interlude) 10. New York Is Killing Me 11. Certain Things (Interlude) 12. Running 13. The Crutch 14. I’ve Been Me (Interlude) 15. On Coming from a Broken Home (Pt. 2) 16. Handsome Johnny 17. King Henry IV 18. Piano Player (Intro) 19. Home Is Where The Hatred Is 20. Winter In America 21. Winter In America 22. Jazz (Interlude) 23. Is That Jazz 24. A Place To Go (Interlude) 25. My Cloud
• music label: XL Recordings 2020

reviewed by snackmaster 04/2010