ANGEL DUST / WE ALMOST LOST DETROIT by GIL SCOTT HERON

“Gil Scott-Heron: the voice of inner city malaise; the champion of transparent honesty in musical expression; the man who lived the dark, wretched existence of addiction and “Inner City Blues” he described in his music. Scott-Heron lived the darkness: always on the verge of death, one foot in the coffin, one firmly planted on the cracked concrete of inner city America, he managed to stand firm against the tide unaware and unconscious thought typical of the mindless rabble in favor of a markedly witty and free-spirited, joyous assault on the dominant social relations of 1970’s America, all the while battling a stupendous Heroin addiction. This 12” from Slow To Speak’s Francis Englehardt and Paul Nickerson features 3 of his dopest and most powerful songs, including two live takes, “Angel Dust” and “The Bottle,” in addition to the breathtaking “We Almost Lost Detroit.” Strongly recommended!.