Drummer, producer & beat scientist Makaya McCraven digs into the Blue Note vaults with this new remix project that puts a modern bounce on jazz classics by Art Blakey, Horace Silver, Hank Mobley, Kenny Burrell, Kenny Dorham & more. McCraven’s mastery of the loop is akin to hip-hop’s most celebrated beatmakers like J Dilla & Madlib, both of whom have also remixed Blue Note classics, but McCraven’s unique approach also incorporates newly recorded elements including his own drums, Joel Ross’ vibraphone, Jeff Parker’s guitar, Marquis Hill’s trumpet & more.
Expect jerky and unquantised riffs, heavy drumming and swaggering, low end arrangements that connect the dots between Hip-Hop and Jazz in a sincerely organic manner. The set begins with A Slice Off The Top, a raw headbopper with heavy brass arrangements fighting for breath in an amongst some fierce upright plucking and tough drumming. When Your Lover Has Gone Home is another standout, the interplay between the vibraphone and the guitar signalling a more laid back groove, interwoven with an otherworldly synth line reminiscent of the Blackbyrds’ Rock Creek Park. Franks Tune swaggers loosely and flits between guitar and flute solos, with a Conga providing some of the rhythmical backbeat. Autumn in New York follows a similar smooth style of playing, a cornet blows mutedly amongst soft guitar chords and a meandering drum pattern that feels as percussive as the A train tapping along over Williamsburg Bridge to Brooklyn, a relaxed and understated cut that brings in the change of season with a unique sense of urgency, juxtaposed against some luscious melodic playing.
Buy the CD HERE
Buy the LP HERE
Listen to the tracks underneath;
Makaya McCraven – A Slice Of The Top
Makaya McCraven – Sunset
Makaya McCraven – When Your Lover Has Gone
Makaya McCraven – Ecaroh
Makaya McCraven – Tranquility
Makaya McCraven – Wail Bait
Makaya McCraven – Coppin The Haven
Makaya McCraven – Franks Tune
Makaya McCraven – Autumn In New York
Makaya McCraven – Monaco
Makaya McCraven – Mr Jin
Makaya McCraven – C.F.D.
Makaya McCraven – Black Rhythm Happening
