Revolution Will Not Be Televised

Liner Note Author: Dean Rudland.
Gil-Scott Heron was one of the most significant forerunners of rappers, and THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED, a compilation of work recorded between 1970 and 1972, is a great place to start exploring his discography. Heron combines spoken word, R&B, jazz, and an unwavering eye toward racial and economic injustice in America in a unique and hard-hitting way. The title track, Heron's most famous, is a strong attack on the way the racist media can manipulate and distort. Cutting and humorous, Heron gets to the heart of the matter and his literate panache explains why he wrote his first book at the age of 12.
Heron's excellent singing voice is sometimes overshadowed by the strength of his socially conscious spoken word, yet several cuts on REVOLUTION showcase his fine voice. A cross between Mark Murphy and Jackie Wilson, Heron's voice is especially emotive on "The Get Out Of The Ghetto Blues" and "Save the Children." These lilting tracks balance perfectly with brutal commentary like "Whitey on the Moon" and "Sex Education Ghetto Style." A definitive overview of Heron's innovative early work, this compilation is musically riveting from beginning to end, in addition to weighing in as an important historical document.