GIL SCOTT HERON/BRIAN JACKSON – FIRST MINUTE OF A NEW DAY CD £12.95
First Minute Of A New Day was the first album that Gil and Brian recorded with the fantastic Midnight Band their power is well illustrated on ‘Liberation Song’ where Gil and Victor Brown interchange vocals over a barnstorming groove. ‘Winter In America’ is one of Gil’s most celebrated and memorable songs, lyrically thought provoking. ‘Western Sunrise’ is another powerful track, showing the jazzier side of their music. The album is a mixture of Soul, Jazz and other influences sometimes powerful; mellow at others, but always compelling, with great lyrics. Remastered from the original tapes this CD sounds incredible.
Gil Scott Heron is justifiably recognised as one of the most unique black music artists of all time. His music transgresses all musical barriers in the same way that Stevie Wonder, Bob Marley and Marvin Gaye did.Gil Scott Heron and Brian Jackson were the first artists to be signed by Clive Davis for his then new Arista Label in 1974, reputedly signing them after seeing a live performance in New York. First Minute Of A New Day was the first album that Gil and Brian recorded with the fantastic Midnight Band, and is a revelation throughout. The power of the band is well illustrated on ‘Liberation Song’ where Gil and Victor Brown interchange vocals over a barnstorming groove. Gil, Brian and Victor had met at Lincoln University and played together as a part of Victor’s Blacks and Blues band.

‘Winter In America’ is one of Gil’s most celebrated and memorable songs, lyrically thought provoking, with the understated musical accompaniment perfectly balanced to the vocals and melodies. 
‘Western Sunrise’ is another powerful track, showing the jazzier side of their music. The album reflects all the aspects of Gil and Brian’s music , and mixture of Soul, Jazz and other influences sometimes powerful, mellow at others, but always compelling. But it is the lyrics and messages of the songs that really made Gil Scott Heron stand out from his contemporaries, always telling a story and informing us of situations that needed attention. 

Gil, Brian and The Midnight band would record together for the rest of the decade making some great albums, but this is where it all came together, the first minute of a new day.

We are proud to release ‘First Minute Of A new Day’ on CD in our classic albums series. The music has been re-mastered from the Original master tapes and sounds incredibly fresh.

Laurence Prangell
October 2010.

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