Stephen Mejias

There is a proper procedure for taking advantage of any investment.
Music, for example. Buying music is an investment.
To get the maximum you must

LISTEN TO IT FOR THE FIRST TIME UNDER OPTIMUM CONDITIONS.

Not in your car or on a portable player through a headset.
Take it home.
Get rid of all distractions (even her or him).
Turn off your cell phone.
Turn off everything that rings or beeps or rattles or whistles.
Make yourself comfortable.
Play your LP.
LISTEN all the way through.
Think about what you got.
Think about who would appreciate the investment.
Decide if there is someone to share this with.
Turn it on again.
Enjoy Yourself.

&#151Gil Scott-Heron

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These are the liner notes to I’m New Here, the latest from Gil Scott-Heron. Back when this blog was new, I used a Smog song as inspiration. Now, Gil Scott-Heron has done the same for his new double-LP. It’s so fat and heavy and lovely that it nearly bursts from its pointless packaging. It can’t be contained by shrink-wrap. It practically opens itself, undoes itself.

I haven’t listened to the album yet. I’ve only caressed it and smelled it and looked lovingly upon it. I listened to a couple of songs on NPR, though, and they’re very good. I’m sure I will enjoy this album (as soon as I can raise the humidity level in my apartment to something less Sahara-like). But I just wanted to share these liner notes with you right away.

We should all listen to what Gil Scott-Heron has to say.