Here we are with episode 19 fresh from celebrating our first number 1 in the Mauritius podcast charts. Fame won't change us. Now any friend of Gil Scott Heron is a friend of ours and our guest this week literally had his life saved by the kindness of Gil. Writer, historian, musician and mentee of the great Gil Scott Heron Malik Al Nasir has a unique and fascinating musical story to tell. Coming from the depths of destitution, illiterate and homeless in the heart of riot torn Toxteth Malik turned his life around after a chance meeting with the American soul legend. This is a story you simply must hear.  

This is very much a Jazz themed episode and the brilliant Jazz writer Sammy Stein dares to make us believe in the musical juggernaught that is 'Free Jazz'. Hold onto you hats! We start however with Anne & Eamon drilling down into Drill music. After watching the fascinating BBC3 documentary 'Defending Digga D' the tricky question of whether the police should be allowed to censor an artists lyrics is raised. Then on a lighter note Anne proudly rocks a tracksuit and shares her lockdown style tips, Eamon watches and learns.  

Here is a link to the DIgga D documentary: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p08xkspf/defending-digga-d Here is the clip of Drillminister attempting to drink a glass of water whilst wearing a balaclava on Newsnight - apologies it links to the Daily Mail. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/video/news/video-1879168/Man-forgets-hes-wearing-balaclava-takes-sip-water.html 

I mention my blog for My Band T-Shirt so here is a link to the story of my Goth years:

http://eops-music.blogspot.com/2012/02/eops-goth-years.html

Here is a link to Malik Al Nasir's fascinating search for his slave roots... its quite the story, read with a cuppa: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/extra/3k9u8lh178/Searching_for_my_slave_roots 

Our playlist this week is a challenging but often rewarding and occasionally infuriating journey from hardcore drill to mellow rare groove via the badlands of free jazz. Try not to pop a cap in anyones ass or indeed throttle a saxophone. 

Spotify version: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2LiFz3zwi8Wl3Tzbgb93nE 

YouTube version: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPPl5xM2fbUrWslVJ4HqCIIfxguioAo0b 

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