Uploaded June 2018 | Updated September 2026, 24 minutes ago
IARC0020 Makaya McCraven - Where We Come From
(CHICAGOxLONDON Mixtape) pt. 3 of 4
Videos directed by Mark Pallman
Mixtape available on Apple Music June 29th 2018
Drummer/producer Makaya McCraven traveled to London in October of 2017 to record material for a new album (which has since been titled "Universal Beings" & will come out on International Anthem in Fall of 2018). Over the course of 3 days in London, Makaya connected with first time collaborators (Theon Cross, Nubya Garcia, Joe Armon-Jones, Soweto Kinch, Ashley Henry, Daniel Casimir and Kamaal Williams), and in addition to the Universal Beings studio sessions, did 2 improvised performances as part of a 2-night showcase called CHICAGOxLONDON presented by International Anthem & EZH Mag at legendary UK Jazz hub Total Refreshment Centre (TRC).
The following Sunday afternoon five producers (LeFtO, Ben LaMar Gay, Quiet Dawn, Earl Jeffers & Don Leisure of the Darkhouse Family) were invited to TRC to participate in an event called Fresh Roasted: Live Beat-Making & Battle, where they did live remixes of the recordings from Makaya & co’s CHICAGOxLONDON performances. In the subsequent months, remixes by Emma-Jean Thackray and Lexus Blondin were added to the pool, at which point Makaya took all the remixes and the raw live recordings from TRC back to his home studio in Chicago, chopped everything up and re-composed the music into two continuous side suites for this CHICAGOxLONDON mixtape.
Listen on Apple Music:
apple.co/wherewecomefrom
IARC0020 Makaya McCraven - Where We Come From (CHICAGOxLONDON Mixtape)
Featuring...
Makaya McCraven - drums, Soweto Kinch - saxophone, vocals, Theon Cross - tuba, Joe Armon-Jones - keys, Nubya Garcia - saxophone, Kamaal Williams - keys
Remixes produced by...
LeFtO, Don Leisure & Earl Jeffers (Darkhouse Family), Ben LaMar Gay, Emma-Jean Thackray, Quiet Dawn, Lexus Blondin, Makaya McCraven
Mixtape Produced by Makaya McCraven
Recorded & Mixed by Dave Vettraino & David Allen
Mastered by David Allen
Cover Photo by Fabrice Bourgelle
Cover Design by Raimund Wong
Associate Production by Alejandro Ayala, Tina Edwards & Lexus Blondin
Executive Production by Scott McNiece
IARC0020 Makaya McCraven - Where We Come From
(CHICAGOxLONDON Mixtape) pt. 3 of 4
Videos directed by Mark Pallman
Mixtape available on Apple Music June 29th 2018
Drummer/producer Makaya McCraven traveled to London in October of 2017 to record material for a new album (which has since been titled "Universal Beings" & will come out on International Anthem in Fall of 2018). Over the course of 3 days in London, Makaya connected with first time collaborators (Theon Cross, Nubya Garcia, Joe Armon-Jones, Soweto Kinch, Ashley Henry, Daniel Casimir and Kamaal Williams), and in addition to the Universal Beings studio sessions, did 2 improvised performances as part of a 2-night showcase called CHICAGOxLONDON presented by International Anthem & EZH Mag at legendary UK Jazz hub Total Refreshment Centre (TRC).
The following Sunday afternoon five producers (LeFtO, Ben LaMar Gay, Quiet Dawn, Earl Jeffers & Don Leisure of the Darkhouse Family) were invited to TRC to participate in an event called Fresh Roasted: Live Beat-Making & Battle, where they did live remixes of the recordings from Makaya & co’s CHICAGOxLONDON performances. In the subsequent months, remixes by Emma-Jean Thackray and Lexus Blondin were added to the pool, at which point Makaya took all the remixes and the raw live recordings from TRC back to his home studio in Chicago, chopped everything up and re-composed the music into two continuous side suites for this CHICAGOxLONDON mixtape.
Listen on Apple Music:
apple.co/wherewecomefrom
IARC0020 Makaya McCraven - Where We Come From (CHICAGOxLONDON Mixtape)
Featuring...
Makaya McCraven - drums, Soweto Kinch - saxophone, vocals, Theon Cross - tuba, Joe Armon-Jones - keys, Nubya Garcia - saxophone, Kamaal Williams - keys
Remixes produced by...
LeFtO, Don Leisure & Earl Jeffers (Darkhouse Family), Ben LaMar Gay, Emma-Jean Thackray, Quiet Dawn, Lexus Blondin, Makaya McCraven
Mixtape Produced by Makaya McCraven
Recorded & Mixed by Dave Vettraino & David Allen
Mastered by David Allen
Cover Photo by Fabrice Bourgelle
Cover Design by Raimund Wong
Associate Production by Alejandro Ayala, Tina Edwards & Lexus Blondin
Executive Production by Scott McNiece
![Makaya McCraven - Just Stay Right There [Official Video by Eshovo Momoh]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/TakzTVNMGiM/mqdefault.jpg "Makaya McCraven - Just Stay Right There [Official Video by Eshovo Momoh]
Official video for Just Stay Right There, track 13 from Makaya McCravens 2015 International Anthem release, In The Moment. Makaya McCraven on drums/production with Jeff Parker on guitar and Matt Ulery on double bass. Video directed by Eshovo Momoh.
Artist statement:
Upon first listen, Just Stay Right There presented a beautifully meshed layering of sound that conveyed a certain depth. The constant murmur of voices in the background suggested an organic development/process for how this track came to be. It gave the feel of a live recorded jam session. While these voices provided a context of time, the steadying drum provided a pace that suggested action or drive. Action and an appreciation for the origin of the sounds that come together on this track became a source of inspiration that led me in search of footage that responded to me in that way.
My own interests and cultural influences have developed my voice into one unafraid to discuss divisive cultural issues. As a first generation American born to parents who immigrated from Nigeria, I learned early on that the racial injustices in America were not resolved with silence. Whether were ready or not, the current condition of our United States of America is forcing us to face these types difficult conversations. In the midst of riots and protests happening across the country in solidarity with the families of Mike Brown and Eric Garner, i was drawn to the blueprint laid by African American ancestors following the wake of injustice. My intention to discuss fragile issues gained perspective when i located the footage used of the 1967 Detroit Riots.
In response to the voices conversing in the background, I felt they added a rhythm on pace with human behavior. One that was different than the percussion. That contrast inspired me to focus on how to emphasize for a listener and viewer the simultaneous rhythms taking place. The addition of the color window allowed me that expression as I was able to present a visual representation of Makaya McCravens Just Stay Right There.
- Eshovo Momoh")
