In These Times
In These Times is the new album by Chicago-based percussionist, composer, and producer Makaya McCraven.
Although this album is ânew," the truth itâs something that's been in process for a very long time, since shortly after he released his International Anthem debut In The Moment in 2015. Dedicated followers may note heâs had 6 other releases in the meantime (including 2018âs widely popular Universal Beings and 2020âs Weâre New Again, his rework of Gil Scott-Heronâs final album for XL Recordings); but none of which have been as definitive an expression of his artistic ethos as In These Times. This is the album McCravenâs been trying to make since he started making records. And his patience, ambition, and persistence have yielded an appropriately career-defining body of work.
As epic and expansive as it is impressively potent and concise, the 11-song suite was created over 7+ years, as McCraven strived to design a highly personal but broadly communicable fusion of odd-meter original compositions from his working songbook with orchestral, large ensemble arrangements and the edit-heavy âorganic beat musicâ that heâs honed over a growing body of production-craft.
With contributions from over a dozen musicians and creative partners from his tight-knit circle of collaborators â including Jeff Parker, Junius Paul, Brandee Younger, Joel Ross, and Marquis Hill â the music was recorded in 5 different studios and 4 live performance spaces while McCraven engaged in extensive post-production work from home.
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Description
In These Times is the new album by Chicago-based percussionist, composer, and producer Makaya McCraven.
Although this album is ânew," the truth itâs something that's been in process for a very long time, since shortly after he released his International Anthem debut In The Moment in 2015. Dedicated followers may note heâs had 6 other releases in the meantime (including 2018âs widely popular Universal Beings and 2020âs Weâre New Again, his rework of Gil Scott-Heronâs final album for XL Recordings); but none of which have been as definitive an expression of his artistic ethos as In These Times. This is the album McCravenâs been trying to make since he started making records. And his patience, ambition, and persistence have yielded an appropriately career-defining body of work.
As epic and expansive as it is impressively potent and concise, the 11-song suite was created over 7+ years, as McCraven strived to design a highly personal but broadly communicable fusion of odd-meter original compositions from his working songbook with orchestral, large ensemble arrangements and the edit-heavy âorganic beat musicâ that heâs honed over a growing body of production-craft.
With contributions from over a dozen musicians and creative partners from his tight-knit circle of collaborators â including Jeff Parker, Junius Paul, Brandee Younger, Joel Ross, and Marquis Hill â the music was recorded in 5 different studios and 4 live performance spaces while McCraven engaged in extensive post-production work from home.
