Universal Beings

Description

In 2025, IARC will celebrate its eleventh anniversary by revisiting some of the most famous (and rarest) records from its decade of release. These vinyls will be presented with new liner notes, new booklets, and the new 2025 version of their iconic logo, the obi and the dome. Released in 2018, Universal Beings marks a decisive turning point for Makaya McCraven and the International Anthem label. The album, recorded between New York, London, Chicago, and Los Angeles, captures the collective spirit of "new jazz" through interconnected improvisation sessions. It illustrates both the vitality of local scenes and their global dialogue, offering a sonic mosaic that celebrates the creativity and diversity of contemporary African American music. At the same time, McCraven asserts his expertise in editing and post-production, elevating his concept of "organic beat-based music" into an art form in its own right. Surrounded by a prestigious ensemble—from Shabaka Hutchings to Nubya Garcia, Brandee Younger, and Jeff Parker—he creates a work that connects generations and cities around a single breath. A true milestone of modern jazz, Universal Beings has often been described as "Dr. Dre's The Chronic, but for jazz," such has been its impact in redefining the genre's boundaries.