Released 50 years ago
It's Your World
Gil Scott-Heron · 1976
73 min · 10 tracks · jazz
A fusion of jazz, soul, and spoken word that captures a poignant reflection on social issues and personal struggles.
Top tracks — play these first
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Home Is Where the Hatred Is — This track delivers an unflinching portrayal of addiction and domestic strife, serving as one of Scott-Heron's most poignant reflections on personal despair.
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The Bottle — Exploring themes of addiction and its impact on relationships, this song remains a staple in Scott-Heron's discography, showcasing his storytelling prowess.
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Bicentennial Blues — This track critiques America's bicentennial celebrations by juxtaposing national pride with ongoing social inequalities, making a bold statement about the state of the nation.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines spoken word and jazz in a distinctive way, addressing complex themes with strong craftsmanship.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate extended instrumental sections that allow for improvisation, particularly on 'Tomorrow's Trane' and 'The Bottle'.
- The themes of social justice and personal struggle are articulated through both lyrics and musical choices, creating a reflective atmosphere throughout the record.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- gradual build to emotional climax
- thought-provoking narratives on society
- reflective listening for urban life
- immersive storytelling through spoken word
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification
- prefer standalone catchy tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By 1976, Gil Scott-Heron had solidified his role as a prominent voice in the Black Arts Movement. This album followed his critically acclaimed work 'Pieces of a Man' (1971) and showcased his evolution into more complex themes surrounding identity and societal challenges.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Amiri Baraka· The Last Poets· Abbey Lincoln
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 It's Your World 3:56
- 2 Possum Slim 6:03
- 3 New York City 4:50
- 4 17th Street 5:40
- 5 Tomorrow's Trane 7:34
- 6 Must Be Something 5:26
- 7 Home Is Where the Hatred Is 12:07
- 8 Bicentennial Blues 8:44
- 9 The Bottle 13:35
- 10 Sharing 5:56
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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