{"title":"Makaya McCraven","description":"\u003ch2\u003eAbout Makaya McCraven\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eMakaya McCraven was born in Paris, France on October 23, 1983 to drummer Stephen McCraven and Hungarian singer Ágnes Zsigmondi. He was raised in Massachusetts and based himself in Chicago in the 2000s. His distinctive approach - recording extended improvisational sessions and then editing the material into composed beat-driven pieces using post-production sampling techniques - has been widely cited as a defining contemporary approach to jazz production. His 2018 quadruple album Universal Beings (recorded in Chicago, London, New York, and Los Angeles with different ensembles) was widely cited as one of the most important contemporary jazz albums. His 2021 album Deciphering the Message remixed classic Blue Note Records jazz recordings, with Blue Note becoming his subsequent label home.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSound and style\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eMakaya McCraven's sound combines jazz, contemporary jazz, jazz fusion, spiritual jazz, post-bop, hip hop jazz, and electronic jazz with his distinctive drumming approach, extensive post-production sampling and editing techniques, and arrangements drawing on Chicago jazz traditions, broader jazz history, and contemporary hip hop and electronic music reference points.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eDiscography highlights\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSplit Decision (2012, Chicago Sessions) - debut\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIn the Moment (2015, International Anthem)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHighly Rare (2017, International Anthem)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUniversal Beings (2018, International Anthem) - quadruple album\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhere We Come From (2018, International Anthem)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUniversal Beings E\u0026amp;F Sides (2020, International Anthem)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDeciphering the Message (2021, Blue Note) - Blue Note remix\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIn These Times (2022, International Anthem\/Nonesuch\/XL)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFor collectors\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eInternational Anthem, XL Recordings, and Blue Note pressings of the Makaya McCraven catalog have been issued in multiple color variant editions and limited deluxe pressings, with collector demand.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhere to start\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eListeners new to Makaya McCraven typically start with In These Times (2022) or Universal Beings (2018). \u003cspan class=\"related-collections\"\u003eExplore more: \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/jazz-vinyl-records\"\u003eJazz\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"makaya-mccraven-in-the-moment-vinyl-ia11-deluxe","title":"In The Moment 2LP","description":"\u003cp\u003e\"One of the most important recordings to date in the modern jazz world.\" – Turntable Lab\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540909437111,"sku":"210000096374","price":29.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/mccraven.jpg?v=1781154688"},{"product_id":"makaya-mccraven-in-these-times-cd","title":"In These Times CD","description":"\u003cp\u003eExperience the compelling soundscape of Makaya McCraven's \"In These Times,\" a profound exploration of modern jazz that reflects both cultural struggles and personal journeys. Released in 2022, this album features intricate compositions and contributions from a diverse array of musicians, all while maintaining McCraven's distinctive blend of orchestral and organic beat music. With eleven tracks that weave together rich narratives, this CD is both an evolution and a landmark statement from the innovative composer.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48785672175799,"sku":"210000074025","price":15.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/4111132-2849941.jpg?v=1783045613"},{"product_id":"makaya-mccraven-universal-beings-vinyl-ia11-edition-deluxe","title":"Universal Beings 2LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eMakaya McCraven's \"Universal Beings\" disrupts the jazz paradigm by juxtaposing improvisation with meticulous structure. The tension at play is palpable, with tracks like \"Atlantic Black\" and \"Inner Flight\" balancing spontaneity against an undercurrent of formality; it's a dance that both exhilarates and bemuses. Rather than merely a jazz album, it's a cerebral exploration that dares you to reconsider genre boundaries while playfully relishing its contradictions.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48785830936759,"sku":"210000102127","price":30.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/4467756-3474820.jpg?v=1783046047"},{"product_id":"makaya-mccraven-deciphering-the-message-vinyl","title":"Deciphering The Message LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eMakaya McCraven's \"Deciphering The Message LP\" remixes classic jazz from the Blue Note vault. This LP blends modern beats with elements from legendary artists, providing a fresh perspective on timeless tracks.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48785958568119,"sku":"210000091605","price":29.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/4017884-2761339.jpg?v=1783046399"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.waxtraxrecords.com\/collections\/makaya-mccraven.oembed","provider":"Wax Trax Records","version":"1.0","type":"link"}