Makaya McCraven - Off The Record [CD]

On October 10, Makaya McCraven will release Off The Record, a 2LP or 2 CD set. It compiles four new EPs titled Techno Logic, PopUp Shop, Hidden Out!, and The People's Mixtape. All four EPs were produced in the signature 'organic beat music' style that Makaya first debuted on his 2015 album In The Moment, and further developed across subsequent releases Highly Rare, Where We Come From, and Universal Beings, where he exercises heavy post-production on live recordings of improvisations he leads from the drumkit.

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Techno Logic was produced from three different live recordings (from London 2017, Berlin 2024, and New York 2025) by Makaya with cornetist/vocalist/synthesist Ben LaMar Gay and tubaist Theon Cross.

The People's Mixtape was recorded in January of 2025 at Public Records in Brooklyn, where Makaya improvised with bassist Junius Paul, trumpeter Marquis Hill, vibraphonist Joel Ross, and modular synthesist Jeremiah Chiu.

Hidden Out! was made from Makaya's June 2017 residency at Chicago venue The Hideout, where Makaya improvised weekly. Most pieces feature his performances with Parker and bassist Junius Paul; but one piece comes from a night with Paul, trumpeter Marquis Hill, and saxophonist Josh Johnson.

PopUp Shop was recorded at Makaya's Los Angeles debut in 2015, shortly after In The Moment came out. The tracks were produced from live improvisations by Makaya with Jeff Parker (guitar), Justefan (vibraphone), and Benjamin J Shepherd (bass).