KSPACE rolled to an exclusive album preview of I’m New Here, the new album from legend Gil Scott-Heron, which we’ve been excited about for a while. Scott-Heron could easily have rested on his laurels for his first album in sixteen years – the guy did, after all, have something to do with inventing everything from rap and acid jazz to neo-soul and the spoken-word poetry scene. But I’m New Here proves to be a completely a new beast.

Music needs events, and a Gil Scott-Heron comeback, while not on the scale of a new Jay-Z album, is definitely a welcome one. In fact, Jay-Z wouldn’t exist without Scott-Heron, who arguably helped create rap with his groundbreaking track from 1970, “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised.” Scott-Heron’s soulful spoken-word style, outspoken lyrics, jazzy flow and funky percussion created a foundation for hip-hop; his combination of political poetry and rhythm influenced everyone from Chuck D to KRS-One, and he’s even collaborated with rappers like Blackalicious.