Who or what is Gil Scott-Heron? A Johns Hopkins-educated poet, author and English professor? The father of hip-hop? Proto-rapper? Singer? Instrumentalist? Activist? Sage? Blues, jazz, R&B, soul and/or funk pioneer? Ex-con? Or (his words) merely a “piano player from Tennessee”?

It’s complicated.

Best known for his 1970s recording “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised,” Scott-Heron made his reputation with politically charged, pro-Civil Rights, anti-Reagan songs. He released a series of albums from 1970 to 1982 that include “Pieces of a Man” (RCA, 1971), “It’s Your World” (TVT Records, 1976) and “Moving Target” (1982, Arista).

Dropped by Arista in 1985, he didn’t record again until 1994 (“Spirits,” TVT). Another long studio silence followed, during which he spent time in prison on drug charges.

Scott-Heron is now on tour for his first recording in 16 years, cryptically titled “I’m New Here.” Released on the British label XL, home to The White Stripes and MIA, it has already earned praise from Rolling Stone, Pitchfork and Spin. The songs are not about corporate greed, subprime mortgages or the Tea Party. They’re more intimate and confessional: about growing up in a fatherless home, the inability to communicate with a loved one, guilt, temptation, anxiety, the hassles of big-city life.

The title track is a cover of a song by Smog. The dark and driving “Me and the Devil,” written by Robert Johnson, has its own rather disturbing video. Watch here.

I missed the original Scott-Heron wave and had mentally consigned him to voices of the past, someone I would listen to someday, except for the occasional samples and mentions by Blackalicious, LCD Soundsystem, Public Enemy and Kanye West. When I heard he was coming through town, I went looking for his new CD. It’s very modern-sounding, except for the voice: aging, worn, past its prime in quality but not in feeling. So I went looking for more of his music.

While many of the references in “Revolution” are dated (Natalie Wood and Steve McQueen, “Green Acres,” tiger in your tank), other Scott-Heron lyrics sound like they were written yesterday. Like these from “Pieces of a Man” (1971):

I saw my daddy greet the mailman

And I heard the mailman say

“Now don’t you take this letter to heart now, Jimmy,

’Cause they’ve laid off nine others today.”

He didn’t know what he was saying

He could hardly understand

That he was only talking to

Pieces of a man.

Scott-Heron comes to the Dakota for two sets on Sunday night. Who knows what he’ll perform? A long set last week at Yoshi’s San Francisco included nothing from his new CD.

Gil Scott-Heron, Sunday, March 28, Dakota, 7 and 9:30 p.m. ($25/$20). Tickets at 612-312-JAZZ (5299) or online.

More music to choose from this weekend and into the week:

Friday and Saturday, March 26 and 27: Atlantis Quartet. Formed in October 2006, this creative and versatile quartet has made two fine CDs and tackled John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme” and Herbie Hancock’s “Headhunters” live. Their focus is on originals, but they also enjoy the occasional standard. Listen for strong, tight group playing, exciting solos and unexpected rhythms. Atlantis has a sound all its own. Here’s a video from last year’s CD release at the AQ. With Brandon Wozniak on saxophone, Zacc Harris on guitar, Chris Bates on bass, and Pete Hennig on drums. Artists’ Quarter, 9 p.m. ($10).

Monday and Tuesday, March 29 and 30: Eliane Elias. The lovely Brazilian pianist/vocalist was last here (if memory serves) in late 2004. Too long ago. Her “Plays Jobim” (1990) and “Kissed by Nature” (2002) CDs are often in my player. Her piano is a blend of Brazilian rhythms and serious swing; her voice is that uniquely Brazilian mix of ease and sensuality. In a word: yummy. Her band includes her husband, the great bass player Marc Johnson. Here’s a 2009 performance filmed in Marseilles. (You’ll have to turn up the sound on your computer to hear it.) Dakota, 8 p.m. Monday ($35), 7 and 9:30 p.m. Tuesday ($35/$25). Tickets at 612-312-JAZZ (5299) or online.

Tuesday-Saturday, March 30 to April 3: “Coward’s Women.” In this new musical revue, Erin Schwab and Maud Hixson sing 16 of Noel Coward’s songs and share words from his letters and autobiography. With pianist Rick Carlson and a four-piece combo. Read Michael Anthony’s preview here.  Dowling Studio at the Guthrie, nine evening and matinee performances beginning Tuesday, March 30 ($22-$30). Times and tickets online or call 612-377-2224.

Pamela Espeland keeps a Twin Cities live jazz calendar, blogs about jazz at Bebopified and tweets about jazz on Twitter.