Universal Beings
2018 studio album by Makaya McCraven
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Universal Beings is a studio album by American drummer, composer, and record producer Makaya McCraven. It was released on October 26, 2018, through International Anthem Recording Company. It received universal acclaim from critics.[5]
| Universal Beings | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | October 26, 2018 | |||
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| Length | 89:47 | |||
| Label | International Anthem | |||
| Producer | Makaya McCraven | |||
| Makaya McCraven chronology | ||||
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Background
Makaya McCraven is an American drummer, composer, and record producer based in Chicago.[6] Universal Beings is a double album, containing 22 tracks.[7] It was recorded in New York, Chicago, London, and Los Angeles.[8] It contains performances by McCraven, Brandee Younger, Joel Ross, Dezron Douglas, Tomeka Reid, Shabaka Hutchings, Junius Paul, Nubya Garcia, Ashley Henry, Daniel Casimir, Josh Johnson, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, Jeff Parker, Anna Butterss, and Carlos Niño.[9] It was released on October 26, 2018, through International Anthem Recording Company.[10]
McCraven later released a companion album to Universal Beings, titled Universal Beings E&F Sides, in 2020.[11][12] It contains 14 tracks recorded during the original album sessions.[13] It was released digitally on July 31, 2020, and physically on September 25, 2020.[13]
Mark Pallman directed a 26-minute documentary film, Universal Beings (2020), which features footage from McCraven's live performances, as well as interviews and studio scenes.[14][15]
Critical reception
According to the review aggregator Metacritic, Universal Beings received "universal acclaim" based on a weighted average score of 86 out of 100 from 5 critic scores.[5]
Thom Jurek of AllMusic commented that "Universal Beings is unique from any other jazz recording in 2018: It marries virtuoso musicianship, technological savvy, a keen editor's ear for creative inspiration, and a plethora of almighty grooves."[9] Nate Chinen of Pitchfork wrote, "Informed by ambient and hip-hop protocols as well as state-of-the-art jazz hyperfluency, it suggests both the spark of discovery and the sheen of an obsessively sculptured art object."[17] Scott A. Gray of Exclaim! stated, "While the music is clearly rooted in jazz, the influences on this ensemble's sound are vast and worldly, if not measurably universal."[16]
At the 2019 JJA Jazz Awards, Universal Beings was nominated for the Record of the Year.[18]
Accolades
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "A Queen's Intro" | 0:32 |
| 2. | "Holy Lands" | 5:14 |
| 3. | "Young Genius" | 5:32 |
| 4. | "Black Lion" | 2:56 |
| 5. | "Tall Tales" | 4:16 |
| 6. | "Mantra" | 3:48 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 7. | "Pharaoh's Intro" | 1:58 |
| 8. | "Atlantic Black" | 9:10 |
| 9. | "Inner Flight" | 3:02 |
| 10. | "Wise Man, Wiser Woman" | 3:13 |
| 11. | "Prosperity's Fear" | 6:11 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 12. | "Flipped Out" | 2:40 |
| 13. | "Voila" | 5:00 |
| 14. | "Suite Haus" | 5:09 |
| 15. | "The Newbies Lift Off" | 6:19 |
| 16. | "The Royal Outro" | 1:44 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 17. | "The Count Off" | 1:09 |
| 18. | "Butterss's" | 2:59 |
| 19. | "Turtle Tricks" | 4:15 |
| 20. | "The Fifth Monk" | 8:01 |
| 21. | "Brighter Days Beginning" | 2:32 |
| 22. | "Universal Beings" | 4:08 |
Personnel
Credits adapted from liner notes.[1][2]
- Makaya McCraven – drums, production
- Brandee Younger – harp (1–6)
- Joel Ross – vibraphone (1–6)
- Dezron Douglas – double bass (1–6)
- Tomeka Reid – cello (1–11)
- Shabaka Hutchings – tenor saxophone (7–11)
- Junius Paul – double bass (7–11), percussion (7–11)
- Nubya Garcia – tenor saxophone (12–16)
- Ashley Henry – Rhodes piano (12–16)
- Daniel Casimir – double bass (12–16)
- Josh Johnson – alto saxophone (17–22)
- Miguel Atwood-Ferguson – violin (17–22)
- Jeff Parker – guitar (17–22)
- Anna Butterss – double bass (17–22)
- Carlos Niño – percussion (17–22)
- David Allen – recording, mixing
- Dave Vettraino – recording, mixing
- Scott McNiece – executive production
- Damon Locks – cover art
- Aaron Lowell Denton – design
- Craig Hansen – insert design
- Fabrice Bourgelle – insert cover photography