Makaya McCraven – Universal Beings (2018)

On Universal Beings, Jazz drummer & producer Makaya McCraven has crafted together a series of gigs from around the globe: London, New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, using a different grouping of musicians for each gig / city). The live recordings were then pulled into the studio for processing.

The result is completely new and unique performance.  Universal Beings is full of groove, energy, and possibilities. Structures are created just to evaporate before our eyes, only to refocus again and morph together into possibilities and progress.

The innovation and communication between the players is inspiring.  This is music that carefully rides the creative edge between chaos and beauty. Without talented, sensitive musicians the entire structure could disintegrate into nothingness. Instead, this album sores into heavenly, spiritual territory.

At its core Universal Beings is a drummer’s album- rhythms hold the structures together. But it’s more than that – this album isn’t about individual players vamping.  Instead, the sound is less concerned about being ‘pure’than incorporating the elements that make this music relevant today.

It should be understood that this is sometimes complex music that doesn’t always reveal itself effortlessly.  Universal Beings is celebration innovation and creativity. A cross-pollination of music and culture from across the globe: Jazz, Hip-hop, Funk and Krautrock. Give the record time to become part of your musical experience and vocabulary. I promise it will reward you with insights.

by Shawn Ciavattone