Makaya McCraven - Universal Beings / 2CD set

2018 release

Paris-born, New England-raised, long-time Chicago-residing Makaya McCraven has been at the forefront of genre-redefining movements in jazz since 2015, when he introduced the world to his unique brand of 'organic beat music' on the breakout album In The Moment.

McCraven’s third studio album, Universal Beings follows In The Moment (2015) and Highly Rare (2017) and was recorded during four live performances in Chicago, London, NYC and LA, before being post-produced, edited and arranged by McCraven in Chicago.

The first session took place in Queens, New York at H010, with Brandee Younger on harp, Dezron Douglas on bass, Joel Ross on vibraphone and Tomeka Reid on cello.

Days later he recorded the second session at Co-Prosperity Sphere in Chicago, with Shabaka Hutchings on saxophone, Tomeka Reid on cello, and Junius Paul on bass.

McCraven hosted the third session in London at Total Refreshment Centre’s upstairs studio, playing with 3 musicians for the first time: Nubya Garcia on sax, Daniel Casimir on bass, and Ashley Henry on piano.

For the final session McCraven set-up in an LA garage belonging to musician Jeff Parker, with Miguel Atwood-Ferguson on violin, Carlos Niño on percussion, Anna Butterss on bass, Josh Johnson on saxophone and Parker on guitar.