7 Gil ScottHeron

Reflections ARISTA, 1981

You say: “B-Movie is sharp, incisive political commentary and still sounds uber-funky.” The Invisible, via Twitter

Reeling from Brian Jackson’s departure at the end of 1979, 1980’s Real Eyes was a lacklustre affair. But with the election of Ronald Reagan to US president the following year, Scott-Heron had a new focus, and like a red flag to a bull went into full-on attack mode with Reflections. The most accomplished of his three Arista albums sans Jackson, its 12-minute closing track B-Movie is a genius piece that rips apart the parliamentary process: “Well, the first thing I want to say is, ‘Mandate, my ass.’” It’s not all rage and polemic though; a cover of Bill Withers’ 1971 hit Grandma’s Hands emanates warmth and compassion.