Universal Beings (IA11 Edition) Makaya McCraven

• 1 A Queen's Intro 00:33
• 2 Holy Lands 05:15
• 3 Young Genius 05:32
• 4 Black Lion 02:57
• 5 Tall Tales 04:16
• 6 Mantra 03:49
• 7 Pharaoh's Intro 01:59
• 8 Atlantic Black 09:10
• 9 Inner Flight 03:03
• 10 Wise Man, Wiser Woman 03:13
• 11 Prosperity's Fear 06:11
• 12 Flipped OUT 02:40
• 13 Voila 05:00
• 14 Suite Haus 05:09
• 15 The Newbies Lift Off 06:20
• 16 The Royal Outro 01:44
• 17 The Count Off 01:09
• 18 Butterss's 03:00
• 19 Turtle Tricks 04:16
• 20 The Fifth Monk 08:01
• 21 Brighter Days Beginning 02:33
• 22 Universal Beings 04:09
• 23 CoPro 9.2.17 Part 03 04:39
• Total Runtime 01:34:38

Info for Universal Beings (IA11 Edition)

Makaya McCraven is not just a drummer—he is a sonic visionary, blending the spontaneous energy of live jazz with the textures and rhythms of hip-hop, soul, and experimental music. Often described as a pioneer of “organic beat music,” McCraven’s work has been hailed for reshaping the modern jazz landscape.

The 2018 release of Universal Beings, in many ways, feels like the moment that the gates swung open for both Makaya McCraven and International Anthem. On one hand, it's a four-sided communal showcase of the inter-city exchange that had started to develop in the “new jazz” hubs, collecting group improvisations from New York, London, Chicago, and Los Angeles. On the other, it is an editing and post-production masterclass – the MVP of McCraven’s “organic beat music” concept – and a landmark moment where his cut-splice-reassembly chops shine as brightly as the players themselves.

The musicians on the album were a combined who’s-who and who’s-gonna-be-who of their respective scenes: Brandee Younger (harp), Joel Ross (vibraphone), Tomeka Reid (cello), Dezron Douglas (double bass), Shabaka Hutchings (tenor saxophone), Junius Paul (double bass), Nubya Garcia (tenor saxophone), Ashley Henry (Rhodes piano), Daniel Casimir (double bass), Josh Johnson (alto saxophone), Miguel Atwood-Ferguson (violin), Jeff Parker (guitar), Anna Butterss (double bass), and Carlos Niño (percussion). In our original press release, we called it “an inspiring display of the organic global inter-connectedness of the Black American music tradition in 2018.” In our off-the-record conversations at the time, we said ‘it’s like Dr. Dre’s The Chronic, but for jazz’.

Universal Beings earned rave reviews across the board. It was a consensus year-end favorite (as seen in NPR Music, WIRE Magazine, New York Times, Chicago Tribune, LA Times, Rolling Stone, Vice, Stereogum, the list goes on…) that cemented McCraven as a must-buy album producer and a must-see live performer, and brought enough energy to our “plucky Chicago indie label” that we were able to move out of a closet and into an actual office.

New York Side:
Brandee Younger, harp
Tomeka Reid, cello
Joel Ross, vibraphone
Dezron Douglas, double bass
Makaya McCraven, drums

Recorded August 29th, 2017, at H0l0 in Ridgewood, Queens, New York.

Chicago Side:
Shabaka Hutchings, tenor saxophone
Tomeka Reid, cello
Junius Paul, double bass, percussion
Makaya McCraven, drums

Recorded September 2nd, 2017, at Co-Prosperity Sphere in Bridgeport, Chicago, Illinois.

London Side:
Nubya Garcia, tenor saxophone
Ashley Henry, Rhodes piano
Daniel Casimir, double bass
Makaya McCraven, drums

Recorded October 19th, 2017, at Total Refreshment Studios in Stoke Newington, London, UK.

Los Angeles Side:
Josh Johnson, alto saxophone
Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, violin
Jeff Parker, guitar
Anna Butterss, double bass
Carlos Niño, percussion
Makaya McCraven, drums

Recorded January 30th, 2018, at Jeff Parker’s house in Altadena, California.

Makaya McCraven
is a Chicago-based drummer, composer, and producer known for his innovative approach to jazz and beat music. Born in Paris to a jazz drummer father and a Hungarian folk singer mother, McCraven has carved out a unique sonic identity that bridges musical worlds. His ability to blur the lines between live improvisation and studio production has made him a leading voice in contemporary music, earning acclaim from The New York Times, Pitchfork, and NPR. With collaborations spanning genres and continents, McCraven continues to push the boundaries of sound and storytelling through rhythm.

With roots in both Europe and the United States, McCraven’s multicultural background deeply informs his music. He rose to international prominence with critically lauded albums like In the Moment, Universal Beings, and In These Times, and is now considered a key figure in the 21st-century jazz renaissance.

His Athens performance will feature his renowned international ensemble—an elite group of improvisers and collaborators—delivering a live show that is both rhythmically explosive and deeply immersive.

This special event at Gazarte Ground, marks a rare opportunity for Greek audiences to witness the energy, innovation, and emotional depth of McCraven’s music in person.

This album contains no booklet.