An addendum to Makaya McCraven's critically-acclaimed 2018 release Universal Beings, which The New York Times said "affirms the drummer and beatsmith's position as a major figure in creative music," Universal Beings E&F Sides presents fourteen new pieces of organic beat music cut from the original sessions, prepared and produced by Makaya as a soundtrack to the Universal Beings documentary film.
Directed by Mark Pallman, the Universal Beings documentary follows Makaya to Los Angeles, Chicago, London and New York City for a behind the scenes look into the making of the artists breakthrough album, taking the viewer through the story of Makaya's life, his process and the community of musicians that helped bring this project to life. The Universal Beings documentary and Universal Beings E&F Sides album release July 31st 2020.
Named one of the best albums of 2018 by The New York Times, Rolling Stone, NPR, Stereogum, Billboard, SPIN, The Wall Street Journal, The Chicago Tribune, and more, Universal Beings was recorded at four sessions in New York, Chicago, London and Los Angeles, and features some of the best "new" jazz players from those hot bed cities: Brandee Younger, Tomeka Reid, Dezron Douglas, Joel Ross, Shabaka Hutchings, Junius Paul, Nubya Garcia, Daniel Casimir, Ashley Henry, Josh Johnson, Jeff Parker, Anna Butters, Carlos Niño and Miguel-Atwood Ferguson - all of whom feature on Universal Beings E&F Sides.
Tracks 1, 5 & 11 recorded August 29th, 2017, at H010 in Ridgewood, Queens, New York. Featuring:
Brandee Younger - harp
Joel Ross - vibraphone
Dezron Douglas - double bass
Makaya McCraven - drums
Tracks 2 & 14 recorded October 18th, 2017, at Total Refreshment Centre in Stoke Newington, London, UK. Featuring:
Soweto Kinch - saxophone
Kamaal Williams - keys
Makaya McCraven - drums
Tracks 3 & 4 recorded October 19th, 2017, at Total Refreshment Studios in Stoke Newington, London, UK. Featuring:
Nubya Garcia - tenor saxophone
Ashley Henry* - rhodes piano
Daniel Casimir - double bass
Makaya McCraven - drums
*Ashley Henry appears courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment UK Limited
Tracks 6, 12 & 13 recorded January 30th, 2018, at Jeff Parker's house in Altadena, California. Featuring:
Josh Johnson - alto saxophone
Miguel Atwood-Ferguson - violin
Jeff Parker - guitar
Anna Butterss - double bass
Carlos Niño - percussion
Makaya McCraven - drums
Track 7 recorded June 18th, 2017, at Co-Prosperity Sphere in Bridgeport, Chicago, Illinois. Featuring:
Junius Paul - double bass
Makaya McCraven - drums
Tracks 8, 9 & 10 recorded September 2nd, 2017, at Co-Prosperity Sphere in Bridgeport, Chicago, Illinois. Featuring:
Shabaka Hutchings* - tenor saxophone
Tomeka Reid - cello
Junius Paul - double bass, percussion
Makaya McCraven - drums
*Shabaka Hutchings appears courtesy of Verve Label Group
Recorded & Mixed by Dave Vettraino & David Allen.
Mastered by David Allen.
Cover Art by Damon Locks.
Portrait by Sean Owens.
Design by Craig Hansen.
Produced by Makaya McCraven.
Executive Production by Scott McNiece.
