Gil Scott-Heron And Jamie XX

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4...according to our Clinton on Fri 18 Feb, 2011.

OK, I haven't heard the original 'I'm New Here' album from which this is based so I'm reviewing this on its own terms. Ok with that? Good, let me begin. So for some reason the tapes from 'I'm New Here' were given to Jamie XX (who is in The XX) to play around with. What he's generally done is created late night dubbed out atmospheres and incorporate snippets of vocals within. At times it turns lighter and jazzier and soulful. Let's face it, this aint the most deep and dark dub you've ever heard, it's reasonably accomplished and shows a fine knowledge of the art of producing skittery beats influenced by the Moving Shadow brand of drum and bass. At times the vocals sit in perfectly, at others you wish for some instrumental moments, tracks like 'The Crutch' and 'Ur Soul and Mine' skitter along nicely without ever reaching the dizzy heights of your Burials etc. though the single 'NY is Killing Me' has some wondrous soundscapes and is the standout track. It's also closest to the eerie minimalism of The XX which is largely absent elsewhere. Overall a worthwhile experiment but how it will sound to those who are familiar with the parent album I'm not sure.

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· In February 2010, Gil Scott-Heron released ‘I’m
New Here’, his first album in thirteen years.
Produced by XL Recordings head Richard Russell
during various studio sessions in New York, the
album was enthusiastically received by fans and
critics alike. Meanwhile, the last eighteen months
have been meteoric for Jamie xx. His band The
xx’s debut album (which Jamie produced) received
huge acclaim, picking up 2010’s prestigious
Mercury Music Prize, while Jamie garnered respect
for his remixes (in particular Florence & The
Machine’s ‘You’ve Got The Love’) and solo
productions (forthcoming single ‘Far Nearer’ on
Numbers).

· So what happens when one of the most exciting
young producers around reworks one of the most
acclaimed albums from a true legend? The result is
Gil Scott-Heron And Jamie xx’s ‘We’re New Here’
which sees Jamie xx remixing thirteen tracks from
the original ‘I’m New Here’ album sessions.

Tracklisting:

I’m New Here
Home
I’ve Been Me
(Interlude)
Running
My Cloud
Certain Things
(Interlude)
The Crutch
Ur Soul And Mine
Parents (Interlude)
Piano Player
NY Is Killing Me
Jazz (Interlude)
I’ll Take Care Of U