Makaya McCraven signs to Blue Note Records
The Jazz FM Award-winning drummer and producer Makaya McCraven's debut album reworks Blue Note Classics
Last updated 18th Nov 2021
Makaya McCraven, drummer, producer, and "beat scientist", has revealed that he has signed with the iconic label Blue Note Records.
In tandem with this announcement is the unveiling of a new record Deciphering The Message.
Deciphering The Message, will see the Chicago-based artist digging through the Blue Note Records vaults to put a modern bounce on classics by Art Blakey, Horace Silver, Hank Mobley, Kenny Burrell, and Eddie Gale, among others.
McCraven, who was awarded 'International Jazz Act of the Year' at the Jazz FM Awards 2019, has always been a collaborative artist and Deciphering The Message features newly recorded elements from vibraphonist Joel Ross, trumpeter Marquis Hill, alto saxophonist Greg Ward, guitarists Matt Gold and Jeff Parker, bassist Junius Paul, and De’Sean Jones on tenor saxophone and flute.
Across numerous albums and mixtapes, McCraven has proven his mastery of the loop akin to hip-hop’s most celebrated beatmakers like J Dilla and Madlib, both of whom also found inspiration in the Blue Note catalogue.
With acclaimed releases like In The Moment (2015) and Universal Beings (2018), McCraven created his own lane in jazz by sampling his band playing improvised sessions throughout the world, then moulding the audio several times to pull contrasting moods from it. For his most recent project, McCraven remixed Gil Scott-Heron’s final album I’m New Here into the equally emotive LP We’re New Again (2020).
“When piecing everything together, I wanted to create a narrative that made the listener feel like they were falling into this space or a movement,” McCraven says. “I was really trying to make a record out of it, not just a series of tracks.”
McCraven hopes the album is both educational and an outright good listen. “I always want to make music that will connect with people in one way, where it makes them nod or feel something or transport them somewhere,” he says. “I also hope this makes them check out the source of this music if they have it. The music that we’re making now is part of the same route and is connected, so I want to honor tradition and release something that people can vibe to.”
The album’s lead single 'Frank's Tune (AKA "De’Jeff’s Tune")' is now available to stream or download and you can watch it below.
Makaya McCraven - Frank's Tune (AKA “De’Jeff’s Tune")
When is Makaya McCraven's 'Deciphering The Message' due to be released?
Deciphering The Message will be released via Blue Note Records on November 19 2021 and will be available on vinyl, CD, and digital download.
'Deciphering The Message' tracklist:
- A Slice Of The Top (AKA “Sliced Off The Top”) from A Slice Of The Top by Hank Mobley
- Sunset (AKA “Son Set”) from Whistle Stop by Kenny Dorham
- When Your Lover Has Gone (AKA “When You’ve Left Your Lover”) from A Night In Tunisia by Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers
- Ecaroh (AKA “Revlis”) from Horace Silver Trio by Horace Silver
- Tranquillity (AKA “Corner Of The World”) from Components by Bobby Hutcherson
- Wail Bait (AKA “Wait Bail”) from The Memorial Album by Clifford Brown
- Coppin' The Haven (AKA “At The Haven Coppin’”) from One Flight Up by Dexter Gordon
- Frank's Tune (AKA “De’Jeff’s Tune”) from Easterly Winds by Jack Wilson
- Autumn In New York (AKA “Spring In Chicago”) from Blue Lights, Vol.1 by Kenny Burrell
- Monaco (AKA “Monte Negro”) from ‘Round About Midnight At The Cafe Bohemia by Kenny Dorham
- Mr. Jin (AKA “Mr. Gin”) from Indestructible by Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers
- C.F.D. (AKA “D.F.C.”) from Something Personal by Jack Wilson
- Black Rhythm Happening from Black Rhythm Happening by Eddie Gale
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