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Makaya McCraven - Universal Beings (IA11 Edition)
Makaya McCraven - Universal Beings (IA11 Edition)
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€24,95 EUR
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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.
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.
Released December 4, 2025
New York Side:
Recorded August 29th, 2017, at H0l0 in Ridgewood, Queens, New York.
Brandee Younger – harp; Tomeka Reid – cello; Joel Ross – vibraphone; Dezron Douglas – double bass; Makaya McCraven – drums
Special thanks: Joe Jeffers, Malik Abdul-Rahmaan, Alejandro Ayala, Elliot Ross and Hank Shocklee.
Chicago Side:
Recorded September 2nd, 2017, at Co-Prosperity Sphere in Bridgeport, Chicago, Illinois.
Shabaka Hutchings – tenor saxophone;Tomeka Reid – cello; Junius Paul – double bass, percussion; Makaya McCraven – drums
Special thanks: Andy Dane, Rachel Millar, David Passick, Alejandro Ayala, Angel Bat Dawid, Alexander Hawkins, Ingrid Laubrock, Neil Gainer, David Chavez, Ed Marszewski, Jamie Trecker and Shanna Van Volt.
London Side:
Recorded October 19th, 2017, at Total Refreshment Studios in Stoke Newington, London, UK.
Nubya Garcia – tenor saxophone; Ashley Henry – rhodes piano; Daniel Casimir – double bass; Makaya McCraven – drums
Special thanks: Kristian ‘Capitol K’ Robinson, Alexis Blondel, Tina Edwards, Will Savery, Mark Pallman and David Burkhart.
Los Angeles Side:
Recorded January 30th, 2018, at Jeff Parker’s house in Altadena, California.
Josh Johnson – alto saxophone; Miguel Atwood-Ferguson – violin; Jeff Parker – guitar; Anna Butterss – double bass; Carlos Niño – percussion; Makaya McCraven – drums
Special thanks: Lee Ann Schmitt and Ezra Lou ParkerSchmitt.
UNIVERSAL BEINGS
Recorded & Mixed by David Allen & Dave Vettraino.
Cover Art by Damon Locks.
Design by Aaron Lowell Denton.
Insert Cover Photo by Fabrice Bourgelle.
Produced by Makaya McCraven.
Executive Production by Scott McNiece.
New York Side:
Recorded August 29th, 2017, at H0l0 in Ridgewood, Queens, New York.
Brandee Younger – harp; Tomeka Reid – cello; Joel Ross – vibraphone; Dezron Douglas – double bass; Makaya McCraven – drums
Special thanks: Joe Jeffers, Malik Abdul-Rahmaan, Alejandro Ayala, Elliot Ross and Hank Shocklee.
Chicago Side:
Recorded September 2nd, 2017, at Co-Prosperity Sphere in Bridgeport, Chicago, Illinois.
Shabaka Hutchings – tenor saxophone;Tomeka Reid – cello; Junius Paul – double bass, percussion; Makaya McCraven – drums
Special thanks: Andy Dane, Rachel Millar, David Passick, Alejandro Ayala, Angel Bat Dawid, Alexander Hawkins, Ingrid Laubrock, Neil Gainer, David Chavez, Ed Marszewski, Jamie Trecker and Shanna Van Volt.
London Side:
Recorded October 19th, 2017, at Total Refreshment Studios in Stoke Newington, London, UK.
Nubya Garcia – tenor saxophone; Ashley Henry – rhodes piano; Daniel Casimir – double bass; Makaya McCraven – drums
Special thanks: Kristian ‘Capitol K’ Robinson, Alexis Blondel, Tina Edwards, Will Savery, Mark Pallman and David Burkhart.
Los Angeles Side:
Recorded January 30th, 2018, at Jeff Parker’s house in Altadena, California.
Josh Johnson – alto saxophone; Miguel Atwood-Ferguson – violin; Jeff Parker – guitar; Anna Butterss – double bass; Carlos Niño – percussion; Makaya McCraven – drums
Special thanks: Lee Ann Schmitt and Ezra Lou ParkerSchmitt.
UNIVERSAL BEINGS
Recorded & Mixed by David Allen & Dave Vettraino.
Cover Art by Damon Locks.
Design by Aaron Lowell Denton.
Insert Cover Photo by Fabrice Bourgelle.
Produced by Makaya McCraven.
Executive Production by Scott McNiece.
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