Makaya McCraven - Universal Beings. 2LP [IA11 Edition]

Makaya McCraven - Universal Beings. 2LP [IA11 Edition]

The 2018 release of Universal Beings, in many ways, feels like the moment that the gates swung open for both Makaya McCraven and International Anthem. On one hand, it's a four-sided communal showcase of the inter-city exchange that had started to develop in the “new jazz” hubs, collecting group improvisations from New York, London, Chicago, and Los Angeles. On the other, it is an editing and post-production masterclass – the MVP of McCraven’s “organic beat music” concept – and a landmark moment where his cut-splice-reassembly chops shine as brightly as the players themselves.

The musicians on the album were a combined who’s-who and who’s-gonna-be-who of their respective scenes: Brandee Younger (harp), Joel Ross (vibraphone), Tomeka Reid (cello), Dezron Douglas (double bass), Shabaka Hutchings (tenor saxophone), Junius Paul (double bass), Nubya Garcia (tenor saxophone), Ashley Henry (Rhodes piano), Daniel Casimir (double bass), Josh Johnson (alto saxophone), Miguel Atwood-Ferguson (violin), Jeff Parker (guitar), Anna Butterss (double bass), and Carlos Niño (percussion). In our original press release, we called it “an inspiring display of the organic global inter-connectedness of the Black American music tradition in 2018.” In our off-the-record conversations at the time, we said ‘it’s like Dr. Dre’s The Chronic, but for jazz’.

Universal Beings earned rave reviews across the board. It was a consensus year-end favorite (as seen in NPR Music, WIRE Magazine, New York Times, Chicago Tribune, LA Times, Rolling Stone, Vice, Stereogum, the list goes on…) that cemented McCraven as a must-buy album producer and a must-see live performer, and brought enough energy to our “plucky Chicago indie label” that we were able to move out of a closet and into an actual office.

For fans of Yuseff Dayes, Jeff Parker & Tom Skinner

Tracklist

New York Side
A1 A Queen'S Intro
A2 Holy Lands
A3 Young Genius
A4 Black Lion
A5 Tall Tales
A6 Mantra
Chicago Side
B1 Pharaoh'S Intro
B2 Atlantic Black
B3 Inner Flight
B4 Wise Man, Wiser Woman
B5 Prosperity'S Fear
London Side
C1 Flipped Out
C2 Voila
C3 Suite Haus
C4 The Newbies Lift Off
C5 The Royal Outro
Los Angeles Side
D1 The Count Off
D2 Butterss'S
D3 Turtle Tricks
D4 The Fifth Monk
D5 Brighter Days Beginning
D6 Universal Beings