1980 is a studio album by American vocalist Gil Scott-Heron and keyboardist Brian Jackson. It was recorded from August to October 1979 and released in February 1980 by Arista Records.
Scott-Heron and Jackson produced 1980 with Malcolm Cecil and performed with a host of studio musicians, including drummer Harvey Mason Sr, guitarist Marlo Henderson, and trombonist Bill Watrous. They incorporated sounds from contemporary pop music, such as disco, dance, and new wave, into their established jazz-funk style. Jackson played a number of instruments, including the T.O.N.T.O. synthesizer, which was featured in the album’s cover photo. Scott-Heron wrote the lyrics to all the songs, which explored societal themes, pressures in life, and fear of the future.
The album charted at number 82 on the Billboard 200 while also impacting the R&B and jazz charts. A critical success, it received praise for its musical qualities and Scott-Heron’s subject matter. 1980 was Scott-Heron and Jackson’s last album together.
Tracks
1 Shut ‘Um Down (Gil Scott-Heron) 05:14
2 Alien (Hold On To Your Dreams) (Gil Scott-Heron) 03:25
3 Willing (Gil Scott-Heron) 04:02
4 Corners (Brian Jackson; Gil Scott-Heron) 04:47
5 1980 (Gil Scott-Heron) 06:00
6 Push Comes To Shove (Gil Scott-Heron) 03:36
7 Shah Mot (The Shah Is Dead / Checkmate) (Gil Scott-Heron) 04:05
8 Late Last Night (Gil Scott-Heron) 04:26
Musicians
| Drums | Harvey Mason Sr |
| Electric Piano | Brian Jackson |
| Keyboards | Brian Jackson |
| Piano | Brian Jackson |
| Piano | Gil Scott-Heron |
| Horns | Bill Watrous |
| Horns | Gordon Goodwin |
| Horns | Denis Sirias |
| Background Vocals | Julia Tillman Waters |
| Background Vocals | Maxine Willard Waters |
| Vocals | Gil Scott-Heron |
Other Musicians
1 Shut ‘Um Down
| Drums | Brian Jackson |
| Guitar | Marlo Henderson |
2 Alien (Hold On To Your Dreams)
4 Corners
5 1980
| Guitar | Ed Brady |
| Flute | Carl Cornwell |
| Sax | Carl Cornwell |
6 Push Comes To Shove
| Guitar | Ed Brady |
| Flute | Carl Cornwell |
| Sax | Carl Cornwell |
7 Shah Mot (The Shah Is Dead / Checkmate)
8 Late Last Night
Liner Notes
Producer – Brian Jackson, Gil Scott-Heron, Malcolm Cecil
Producer (Assistant) – Malcolm Cecil
Arranged By – Brian Jackson
Engineer – Malcolm Cecil
Mixed By – Malcolm Cecil
Art Direction – Donn Davenport, Ron Kellum
Photography By – John Ford, John E. Barrett
Typography – Hal Fiedler
Recorded At T.O.N.T.O.
Phonographic Copyright (p) Arista Records, Inc
Copyright (c) Arista Records, Inc
