Gil Scott-Heron R.I.P.

Hot Press is deeply saddened to hear that Gil Scott-Heron has died in New York.
All that’s known at this stage is that the 62 year-old was taken ill shortly after returning from a trip to Europe and admitted to St. Luke’s Hospital in Manhattan where he passed away.
Widely regarded as one of the founding fathers of hip hop – “We do what we do and how we do because of you,” Chuck D tweeted this morning – the Chicagoan made his studio debut in 1970 with Small Talk At 125th And Lennox, an album that seamlessly fused jazz, blues, soul, funk and poetry and included his signature tune, ‘The Revolution Will Not Be Televised’.
After going M.I.A. for the best part of 16 years, he made a triumphant return with 2010’s I’m New Here, which also spawned an equally acclaimed Jamie xx remix album.
Talking in the current issue of Hot Press, Jamie says: “I was amazed. I didn’t think it was going to be a big deal. I thought it would just go under the radar as another remix project, but it had a really nice reception.
“I met him a few times at his gigs. He just wants to be involved in everything with his name on. He’s been screwed over by labels before, so we had to make sure everything was perfect. He’s really open to new music and stuff he hasn’t heard before, and I hope I can be like that when I’m his age.”
Words that in light of today’s news take on a real poignancy. Irish audiences were fortunate to get not one, but two sightings of Scott-Heron last year when he played first the Tripod and then the Electric Picnic.
We may also be in for a posthumous record.
“Quite stunned at the fact I just wrote and recorded guest vocals on one of his next albums,” Chuck D continues. “This makes one realise that time is precious, damn.”

Photo: Gil at last year's Electric Picnic. Click here to see more shots of the singer.