(Savant)

Vocalist Giacomo Gates was the first choice of producer Mark Ruffin, when he decided to produce a tribute to genius and genuineness of the late Gil Scott-Heron and his work. The Revolution Will Be Jazz is the superb result of their collaboration. Gates smooth crooning evokes much of the spirit of Scott-Herron, but in his own way. He covers many of the late singer’s more well-known works and a few that are lesser known, but no less representative of his truth-singing vibe. Gates gives the production swing, as well as soul. He’s joined by a terrific band, which has John Di Martino is on piano, Lonnie Plaxico on bass, Tony Lombardozzi on guitar, Victor Ector on drums and Claire Daly, who plays flute and saxophone on several tracks. The album is a wonderful and very worthy musical homage.