Formerly Chicago, and now Hawaii-based composer, producer, drummer, and all-around “jazz beat scientist” Makaya McCraven continues to be one the most forward-thinking artists of our present time. On his latest album, titled Deciphering The Message, he dives into the historic vaults of Blue Note Records and completely reworks some of the label’s classic material.

On this incredible 13-track record, McCraven puts a fresh new spin on spins on music by Art Blakey, Horace Silver, Clifford Brown, Dexter Gordon, Kenny Dorham, Bobby Hutcherson, Eddie Gale, and others. Using a creative process that involves a mixture of sampling classic material, live instrumentation, and remolding the audio several times, he does a masterful job of taking pieces of landmark jazz recordings and giving them a more modern feel that spans from dancefloor primed cuts to more hypnotic grooved-out arrangements. Similar to many Blue Note sessions, the album also flows flawlessly from one track to the next, capturing a feel as if you are listening to a live recording, including “Pee Wee” Marquette’s iconic Birdland introductions and recorded crowd applause.

For the live instrumentation, Deciphering The Message features an incredible cast of musicians that McCraven frequently collaborates with, including vibraphonist Joel Ross, trumpeter Marquis Hill, alto saxophonist Greg Ward, guitarists Matt Gold and Jeff Parker, bassist Junius Paul, and De’Sean Jones on tenor saxophone and flute.

Overall, McCraven has once again used his innovative approach of reconstructing segments of sound and music to produce an absolute timeless recording that brilliantly connects the past and present. Highly recommended!

Makaya McCraven — ‘Deciphering The Message’
(Blue Note Records)

1. A Slice Of The Top (AKA “Sliced Off The Top)
2. Sunset (AKA “Son Set”)
3. When Your Lover Has Gone (AKA “When You’ve Left Your Lover”)
4. Ecaroh (AKA “Revlis”)
5. Tranquillity (AKA “Corner Of The World”)
6. Wail Bait (AKA “Wait Bail”)
7. Coppin’ The Haven (AKA “At The Haven Coppin”)
8. Frank’s Tune (AKA “De’Jeff’s Tune)
9. Autumn In New York (AKA “Spring In Chicago”)
10. Monaco (AKA “Monte Negro”)
11. Mr.Jin (AKA “Mr. Gin”)
12. C.F.D. (AKA “D.F.C.”)
13. Black Rhythm Happening

BUY RECORD

• Jazz
• Jazz Dance
• Jazz Funk