Deciphering the Message
2021 studio album by Makaya McCraven
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Deciphering the Message is a studio album by American drummer, composer, and record producer Makaya McCraven. It was released on November 19, 2021, through Blue Note Records. It received generally favorable reviews from critics.[1]
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| Deciphering the Message | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | November 19, 2021 | |||
| Genre | Jazz | |||
| Length | 42:14 | |||
| Label | Blue Note | |||
| Producer | Makaya McCraven | |||
| Makaya McCraven chronology | ||||
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Background
Makaya McCraven is an American drummer, composer, and record producer based in Chicago.[2] Deciphering the Message is a 13-track album, containing his rework of classics from the Blue Note Records catalog.[3] It features contributions from Joel Ross, De'Sean Jones, Jeff Parker, Matt Gold, Junius Paul, Marquis Hill, and Greg Ward.[4] It was released on November 19, 2021, through Blue Note Records.[3]
Critical reception
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 78/100[1] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [5] |
| DownBeat |  [6] |
| The Guardian | [7] |
| Loud and Quiet | 8/10[8] |
| Mojo | [9] |
| Pitchfork | 7.4/10[10] |
| PopMatters | 8/10[11] |
| Uncut | 6/10[12] |
According to the review aggregator Metacritic, Deciphering the Message received "generally favorable reviews" based on a weighted average score of 78 out of 100 from 7 critic scores.[1]
John Fordham of The Guardian stated, "Jazzers who know every twitch of the originals won't abandon them now, and some, this writer included, will miss the fascinating long-form stories of resourceful improvisers on these barely two-minutes-plus tracks."[7] He added, "But McCraven is balancing jazz's precious tradition and its present and future here, and that's a priceless contribution."[7] Thom Jurek of AllMusic wrote, "His own hope for Deciphering the Message is to point new listeners toward the originals."[5] He added, "As wonderful as that intention is, this album is a phenomenal listening experience in its own right."[5]
Andrew Sacher of BrooklynVegan included the album in his list of the "12 Great Jazz Albums from 2021".[13]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "A Slice of the Top" | Hank Mobley | 3:11 |
| 2. | "Sunset" | Kenny Dorham | 3:48 |
| 3. | "When Your Lover Has Gone" | Einar Aaron Swan | 2:11 |
| 4. | "Ecaroh" | Horace Silver | 2:57 |
| 5. | "Tranquillity" | Robert Hutcherson | 3:39 |
| 6. | "Wail Bait" | Quincy Jones | 2:09 |
| 7. | "Coppin' the Haven" | Kenny Drew | 2:35 |
| 8. | "Frank's Tune" | Frank R Strozier | 3:37 |
| 9. | "Autumn in New York" | Vernon Duke | 5:55 |
| 10. | "Monaco" | Kenny Dorham | 2:24 |
| 11. | "Mr. Jin" | Wayne Shorter | 2:57 |
| 12. | "C.F.D." | Jack Wilson Jr. | 3:17 |
| 13. | "Black Rhythm Happening" | Eddie Gale Stevens | 3:34 |
| Total length: | 42:14 | ||
Charts
| Chart (2021) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[14] | 97 |
| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[15] | 98 |
| UK Jazz & Blues Albums (OCC)[16] | 8 |