Gil Scott-Heron - Black Wax (Channel4)

Arts Documentary published by Channel 4 in 1982 - English narration

Information

Broadcasted by PBS (US), BET on Jazz (US) and Channel 4 (UK)

One of the most influential figures in rap music, Gil Scott-Heron's aggressive, no-nonsense street poetry inspired a legion of intelligent rappers. Directed by acclaimed documentary filmmaker Robert Mugge, Black Wax is a fascinating 79-minute portrait of Scott-Heron performing at the Wax Museum nightclub, D.C. in 1982, interspersed between scenes of him discussing political ironies as he wanders past national monuments and ghetto neighbourhoods in Washington.

The poet, vocalist, and songwriter Gil Scott-Heron is both the descendant of the African griots and the forefather of rap. In the early '70s, he boldly proclaimed that "the revolution will not be televised," and in the '80s he warned us of the "New World Order" with his prophetic and satirical single, "B Movie." The gifted filmmaker Mugge alternates between the electrifying soul/jazz/funk grooves of Scott- Heron's Midnight Band and his witty and deep monologues about racial politics with a wax figure of Uncle Sam and his dead-on commentaries on urban life in the nation's capital.

Included is the bonus selection "Is That Jazz," Heron's swinging shout-out to the jazz legends and a rebuke of those who try to limit it. Nobody tells it like it is like Gil Scott-Heron, and nobody ever will. This is a great release for any fan of the man and his music.