Last month, Chicago-based percussionist, composer, and producer Makaya McCraven announced the details of his new album In These Times, out September 23rd via International Anthem / Nonesuch / XL Recordings. The second offering from the new album premieres today: ‘Dream Another,’ which McCraven wrote and recorded in his home studio in Chicago. The track features Brandee Younger on harp, Junius Paul on bass, Matt Gold on guitar/sitar, and De’Sean Jones on flute. An accompanying music visualizer, directed by Nik Arthur, features hand-drawn, digital, and photographic animations composed and laser-etched into stone in the style of a “zoopraxiscope,” a 19th century animation device, predating the motion picture, that allowed images to move for the first time.
Watch the visual for ‘Dream Another’ here:
In These Times is a new collection of compositions from McCraven, who has been heralded by the New York Times, NPR, the Guardian, Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, and WBGO for his unique gift of collapsing space, destroying borders and blending past, present, and future into progressive arrangements of post-genre, jazz-rooted contemporary instrumental music. Of ‘Seventh String,’ the album’s debut single, Stereogum writes: “You can hear that polytemporal approach as McCraven trying to let opposing thoughts and ideas sit together in unison … Far from chaos, it becomes the sound of embracing complications and oppositions, and locating a harmony in the center of it all.”
This summer and fall, McCraven will perform across Europe and North America, making key appearances at some of the globe’s most acclaimed jazz festivals. WBGO said of his recent appearance at Montreal Jazzfest, “(McCraven) showcased the many sides of his music, from hip-hop to the avant-garde. Whatever you call it, it’s music you can dance to, and definitely connects with the audience.”
Makaya McCraven
In These Times
Released: Friday, September 23, 2022 on International Anthem / Nonesuch / XL Recordings
Tracklist:
1. In These Times
2. The Fours
3. High Fives
4. Dream Another
5. Lullaby
6. This Place That Place
7. The Calling
8. Seventh String
9. So Ubuji
10. The Knew Untitled
11. The Title
*Contributing musicians: Jeff Parker, Junius Paul, Brandee Younger, Lia Kohl, Macie Stewart, Zara Zaharieva, Marta Sofia Honer, Greg Ward, Irvin Pierce, Marquis Hill, Matt Gold, Greg Spero, Joel Ross, De’Sean Jones, and Rob Clearfield.
Makaya McCraven Upcoming Live Dates
Makaya McCraven:
