Universal Beings


Universal Beings is a studio album by American drummer, composer, and record producer Makaya McCraven. It was released on October 26, 2018, through International Anthem Recording Company. It received universal acclaim from critics.

Background

Makaya McCraven is an American drummer, composer, and record producer based in Chicago. Universal Beings is a double album, containing 22 tracks. It was recorded in New York, Chicago, London, and Los Angeles. It was released on October 26, 2018, through International Anthem Recording Company.
McCraven later released a companion album to Universal Beings, titled Universal Beings E&F Sides, in 2020. It contains 14 tracks recorded during the original album sessions.

Critical reception

Thom Jurek of AllMusic commented that "Universal Beings is unique from any other jazz recording in 2018: It marries virtuoso musicianship, technological savvy, a keen editor's ear for creative inspiration, and a plethora of almighty grooves." Nate Chinen of Pitchfork wrote, "Informed by ambient and hip-hop protocols as well as state-of-the-art jazz hyperfluency, it suggests both the spark of discovery and the sheen of an obsessively sculptured art object." Scott A. Gray of Exclaim! stated, "While the music is clearly rooted in jazz, the influences on this ensemble's sound are vast and worldly, if not measurably universal."
At the 2019 JJA Jazz Awards, Universal Beings was nominated for the Record of the Year.

Accolades

Track listing

Personnel

Credits adapted from liner notes.