Gil Scott-Heron: Moving Target (Arista)

GIL SCOTT-HERON is one of the most quietly effective performers currently working in popular music: his cool, firm underplaying makes the listener want to move towards him, to move in closer to hear what he has to say. Just as his songwriting is a logical and recognisable extension of his poetry, his singing voice is simply his speaking voice bent round the necessary melodic corners.